Lottie Moon

Today's China is a world of rapid change. It's home to 1.3 billion individuals-one-fifth of the world's population. Village dwellers flock to trendy megacities with exploding populations. And China holds its own in the world's economy. It's very different from the vast farmland Lottie Moon entered in the 1800s. But one thing hasn't changed: China's need for a Savior. Lottie Moon-the namesake of the international missions offering-has become something of a legend to us. But in her time Lottie was anything but an untouchable hero. In fact, she was like today's missionaries. She was a hard-working, deep-loving Southern Baptist who labored tirelessly so her people group could know Jesus. Her mission When she set sail for China, Lottie was 32 years old. She had turned down a marriage proposal and left her job, home and family to follow God's lead. Her path wasn't typical for an educated woman from a wealthy Southern family. But Lottie did not serve a typical God. He had gripped her with the Chinese peoples' need for a Savior. For 39 years Lottie labored, chiefly in Tengchow and P'ingtu. People feared and rejected her, but she refused to leave. The aroma of fresh-baked cookies drew people to her house. She adopted traditional Chinese dress, and she learned China's language and customs. Lottie didn't just serve the people of China; she identified with them. Many eventually accepted her. And some accepted her Savior. Her vision Lottie's vision wasn't just for the people of China. It reached to her fellow Southern Baptists in the United States. Like today's missionaries, she wrote letters home, detailing China's hunger for truth and the struggle of so few missionaries sharing the gospel with so many people-472 million Chinese in her day. She shared another timely message, too: the urgent need for more workers and for Southern Baptists passionately supporting them through prayer and giving. In 1912, during a time of war and famine, Lottie silently starved, knowing that her beloved Chinese didn't have enough food. Her fellow Christians saw the ultimate sign of love: giving her life for others. On Christmas Eve, Lottie died on a ship bound for the United States. But her legacy lives on. And today, when gifts aren't growing as quickly as the number of workers God is calling to the field, her call for sacrificial giving rings with more urgency than ever. How much does your church plan to give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering this year? Please see my sidebar if you would like to give online.  Where does my money go?? Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® Every penny given to Lottie Moon is used to support Southern Baptist missionaries as they share the Gospel overseas. The offering represents 55 percent of the International Mission Board’s total income. Find dollar examples of how your gifts are used, including stories, photos and videos, at  Lottie Moon @ work. Cooperative Program Thirty-two percent of the IMB’s income is received from the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program. Each state convention gives between 13 percent and 55 percent of its CP collection to the SBC. The SBC gives 50 percent of that amount to the IMB and 50 percent to other SBC entities, including the North American Mission Board. Other income Southern Baptists’ gifts to the IMB’s World Hunger and General Relief ministries comprise 2 percent of the IMB’s income. Field-generated funds, investment returns and other income constitute the remaining 11 percent. How much does it cost to support a missionary? • $43,845.86 a year • $3,653.82 a month • $843.19 a week • $120.13 a day • $5.01 an hour • $.08 a minute Reported April 2010. Support includes housing, salary, children’s education, medical expenses, retirement and more. Thank you for prayerfully considering how much you will give this year!