The International Missions Board for the Southern Baptist Convention held its international week of prayer in preparation for the Lottie Moon Christmas offering this past week, Dec. 3-10.

This week showcased the benefits of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and encouraged individuals to pray for new families and people groups everyday.

The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering began in 1888, through the work of Lottie Moon. Moon saw a great need for the gospel to be shared in this region of the world and felt called to work with this people group.

Through her work, the modern Chinese church was born. In her letters, she emphasized the financial need and workers to be sent to China.

In 1918, the Women’s Missionary Union named the offering the Lottie Moon Christmas offering in honor of her work.

Today, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering supports over 3,600 missionaries, enabling disciples to be made and churches to be multiplied around the world.

Zack Dove, a missionary in Norway, stated, “Because churches give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, we’ve been able to tell people about Jesus who have never heard the real gospel message before.”

This year the overall goal for the nation is $160 million dollars. According to the Butler County Baptist Association, in 2016, the county raised $40,322.07. This amount was collected from the thirty-two churches serving as members of the association. Currently there is no set goal as an association; however, churches in the area have set individual goals for the month of December.

Last year First Baptist Church of Greenville and Southside Baptist Church were the leading givers.

Debbie Blackmon, the leader of the Women’s Missionary Union at Southside Baptist church, encouraged people to give.

“Missionaries on the foreign field are dependent on the offering. One hundred percent of the offering goes to the missionaries and the families,” Blackmon said.