April 29, 2009
NEWS
Catherine Nold
, Director of Communications and Marketing
IM responds proactively to the global economic downturn
Catherine Nold
, Director of Communications and Marketing
New matching gifts effort offers to boost missionary support.
Thanks to ABC of Indiana and Kentucky and Rocky Mountains for their valuable contributions.
Great news! International Ministries, with the generous support of the Luther Rice Society members, has launched a first ever fund that doubles the value of gifts given to support missionaries. New donors contributing from $200 to $2,000 can have their gifts matched dollar for dollar from this fund. New donors can double the impact of their gift from now until June 30th 2009.
Families, churches, non-profits and corporations alike are feeling the pain of the economic crisis that that is rolling throughout the U.S. and global markets. So, it is no surprise that International Ministries has also been affected. Income to IM from invested funds, churches and individuals is down. Recently 16% of staff serving in the IM home offices in Valley Forge were laid off from their employment. Fortunately, no American Baptist overseas missionaries have been recalled to date.
Traditionally, International Ministries missionaries were supported primarily through general congregational giving to the World Mission Offering. Recognizing major cultural changes taking place in North America, in 2003 IM began introducing an additional choice -- Missionary Partnership Teams (MPTs) and Missionary Partnership Networks (MPNs).
This initiative helps local churches and individuals experience close, participatory relationships with individual missionaries and helps missionaries with communications, pastoral and financial support. The recession and global economic crisis have made financial support from MPNs even more critical. Missionaries, their MPTs and IM staff have all accelerated support-raising activity with participants in the Networks. IM missionaries and their MPTs need support from MPN members to cover the missionary living allowance, medical and retirement costs. The remaining costs covering missionary housing, ministry funds, transportation, children’s education, language school, etc. (on average 32% of budget), continues to be supported primarily though gifts to World Mission Offering.
How can you most help? You can become part of a missionary’s MPN and provide individualized support. Choose a missionary (www.internationalministries.org) and let that person know that you want to be part of their Network (MPN). As you continue to support ABC ministries on the local church, regional and national levels, you can also support the individual missionary of your choice.
Double your impact! Please send your financial gifts with a note indicating that you are a new donor with the name of the missionary that you want to support to: Development Office, American Baptist International Ministries, Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482.
Thanks to ABC of Indiana and Kentucky and Rocky Mountains for their valuable contributions.
Great news! International Ministries, with the generous support of the Luther Rice Society members, has launched a first ever fund that doubles the value of gifts given to support missionaries. New donors contributing from $200 to $2,000 can have their gifts matched dollar for dollar from this fund. New donors can double the impact of their gift from now until June 30th 2009.
Families, churches, non-profits and corporations alike are feeling the pain of the economic crisis that that is rolling throughout the U.S. and global markets. So, it is no surprise that International Ministries has also been affected. Income to IM from invested funds, churches and individuals is down. Recently 16% of staff serving in the IM home offices in Valley Forge were laid off from their employment. Fortunately, no American Baptist overseas missionaries have been recalled to date.
Traditionally, International Ministries missionaries were supported primarily through general congregational giving to the World Mission Offering. Recognizing major cultural changes taking place in North America, in 2003 IM began introducing an additional choice -- Missionary Partnership Teams (MPTs) and Missionary Partnership Networks (MPNs).
This initiative helps local churches and individuals experience close, participatory relationships with individual missionaries and helps missionaries with communications, pastoral and financial support. The recession and global economic crisis have made financial support from MPNs even more critical. Missionaries, their MPTs and IM staff have all accelerated support-raising activity with participants in the Networks. IM missionaries and their MPTs need support from MPN members to cover the missionary living allowance, medical and retirement costs. The remaining costs covering missionary housing, ministry funds, transportation, children’s education, language school, etc. (on average 32% of budget), continues to be supported primarily though gifts to World Mission Offering.
How can you most help? You can become part of a missionary’s MPN and provide individualized support. Choose a missionary (www.internationalministries.org) and let that person know that you want to be part of their Network (MPN). As you continue to support ABC ministries on the local church, regional and national levels, you can also support the individual missionary of your choice.
Double your impact! Please send your financial gifts with a note indicating that you are a new donor with the name of the missionary that you want to support to: Development Office, American Baptist International Ministries, Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482.
