By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
CLEVELAND — New Friendship Baptist Church in rural Bradley County has always been a strong supporter of missions, said pastor Eric Atkins.
Not only does the church give 12.5 percent of its undesignated receipts through the Cooperative Program and 5 percent to CrossNet Baptist Association, the church sets lofty goals for the annual missions offerings — Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, Annie Armstrong Easter Offering and the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions.
“Like any other church coming out of the pandemic, we saw a greater need to support these offerings,” Atkins said.
This year, the church set a goal of $2,500 for GOTM, a challenging goal for a congregation that has averaged about 50 people weekly since the onset of the pandemic a year ago.
The church’s Acteens, led by Atkins’ wife, Cindy, took the lead in planning the church’s GOTM emphasis.
“They (the Acteens) did all the promotion,” Cindy Atkins said. She noted they constructed a display in the shape of the state of Tennessee with 25 ministries supported by GOTM funds. For every $100 raised, a ministry would light up, she explained.
Some of the promotion efforts included giving each member a gold coin (wrapped chocolate) on the first Sunday in September, a skit with a couple who portrayed William and Mildred Golden (who began the state missions offering in 1902), responsive readings and videos.
Atkins observed that the congregation seemed to be more engaged with what the GOTM does. “We explained how it is used and that a percentage of the money we give comes back to our association,” he said.
Mrs. Atkins noted that $300 was given the first Sunday and that by the end of the second week, the entire amount had been raised. By the time the September emphasis concluded, the church had raised $4,000 for the offering which is used solely for missions and ministry needs in Tennessee. Before the emphasis concluded, they added 15 lights to the display.
Her husband checked the church’s giving records and determined it was the second largest amount the church had ever given to the GOTM. Atkins said the effort caught the congregation off guard.
“We usually exceed the goal but we didn’t expect to do it so fast and by so much.”
“It’s a blessing to serve a church that has a heart for missions,” the pastor added.
His wife agreed. “With many of our older congregants, giving is their way of serving because some of them are unable to go out and do mission projects,” she observed. “It is very important for them to give.”
Mrs. Atkins also praised the church’s four Acteens who “stepped up” and came up with the ideas to promote the offering. “They were in front of the church each week.”
She added that their efforts enabled them to put what they learn about missions each week into action.
One of the Acteens is their daughter, Anna. “It was fun and it was cool to talk about missions,” she said.
Atkins observed that New Friendship Baptist has been blessed. “Our giving actually increased during the pandemic,” he noted. “I just sit back and marvel at what God is doing through His members.”
Cindy Atkins added, “It is a testimony of the faith our people have.” B&R