By Leslie Peacock Caldwell
Baptist Press
RICHMOND, Va. — As the International Mission Board closes the 2020-21 financial books, it expects to report a Lottie Moon Christmas Offering total of $177.6 million. This total includes $14.9 million received for specific Lottie projects (often called Lottie Moon challenge or Lottie giving projects) and exceeds the $175 million offering goal set in partnership with Woman’s Missionary Union. IMB also received $96.8 million from the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program for 2020-21, which, combined with other sources of revenue, made it the best financial year in the organization’s 176-year history.
Because Cooperative Program receipts cover operating costs of the IMB, 100 percent of gifts given through the Lottie Moon offering and to the IMB throughout the year go directly to the mission work overseas.
“This total reflects the unending commitment of Southern Baptists to be a Great Commission people,” IMB President Paul Chitwood said. “Together we are reaching the nations and advancing a kingdom message that Jesus saves.” [Read more…]