Baptist and Reflector
FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptists have heard the message that any way you slice it, Tennessee is a mission field, and have contributed a record-breaking amount through the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions.
The final GOTM total for the 2016-2017 offering year was $1,843,511.03, just $6,488.97 from reaching the year’s offering goal of $1.85 million. It’s the largest amount ever given in the 115-year history of the Golden Offering, reflecting a 7.6 percent increase over the previous year. GOTM contributions have increased more than 20 percent in four years.
“Tennessee Baptists have a goal of reaching $3 million in annual giving through the Golden Offering by 2024,” said Randy C. Davis, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board executive director. “I appreciate the generosity of Tennessee Baptists. We have a long way to go to reach $3 million, but I believe we should pause and celebrate this accomplishment in Tennessee Baptist history.”
Vickie Anderson, executive director of Tennessee Woman’s Missionary Union, also expressed gratitude for the offering increase.
“It is exciting to celebrate this milestone,” she said. “More exciting is knowing the lives being changed through ministries across our state that are supported by GOTM. Every penny Tennessee Bap-tists gave will serve people here in the state, bringing spiritual and physical relief to so many.”
The 2017-2018 offering goal is $1.925 million, a $75,000 increase over 2016-2017. More information about GOTM can be found at www.GoldenOffering.org or by writing the Tennessee WMU at vclemons@tnbaptist.org.
