ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)–A video update on the North American Mission Board’s efforts to reach the United States and Canada is available as a free Internet download. The segment is intended for use during Southern Baptists’ March 7-14 North American Missions Emphasis, which includes the Week of Prayer for North American Missions, the North American Mission Study and Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions.
The video, available through a link on the www.AnnieArmstrong.com website, features NAMB President Robert E. (Bob) Reccord and includes his comments on cutbacks in the appointment of new missionaries caused by a lack of funds.
“As I speak to you today, nearly 200 missionary positions are vacant — most of them because of budget shortfalls either at NAMB or at our state Baptist convention partners,” Reccord says on the video. “There are plenty of Christians who feel called to serve and are ready to go, but we have stopped recruiting for missionary positions until the funds arrive to address this shortfall.”
In 2003 the Annie Armstrong Offering Goal was a record $49,650,279, but short of the $53 million goal. The goal for 2004 is $54 million. One hundred percent of the offering supports missionaries and their ministries.
“I thank God for the missionary heroes who are serving on the front lines, meeting needs and sharing Christ with those who need Him most,” Reccord says. “But those missionaries are depending on each of us to provide the financial resources that will let them continue their ministry.”
The video is viewable online and is available for download in a high-quality MPEG format suitable for presentation in churches.
The www.AnnieArmstrong.com website also includes a variety of other resources for churches participating in the North American Missions Emphasis.
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