Thanksgiving Offering

Each year, North Carolina Baptists show their love and support for children by participating in the annual Thanksgiving Offering for Baptist Children's Homes (BCH).

Scripture...Psalm 145:3a : “Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised."

The offering theme for 2010 is Thankful. It is truly a season of thanksgiving for Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina. This year we celebrate 125 years of ministry to children and families. God has blessed the mission of helping hurting children...healing broken families since November 11, 1885 when Baptist Childrens' Homes was first established. Indeed, as our scripture states, Great is the Lord!

This year’s offering theme reflects our spirit of gratitude for the privilege of serving children and families for the past 125 years. We are grateful for North Carolina Baptists who continue to amaze us with the remarkable ways they demonstrate their love for children. And we are thankful to God who has been at the center of everything accomplished through this ministry, and we praise Him for every life that has been changed. We have much to be thankful for!

Our statewide offering goal this year is $1,425,000. The annual offering empowers Baptist Children’s Homes to offer hope to children. It is imperative we meet the offering goal so that we may provide care to the hundreds of children who turn to Baptist Children's Homes each year. You can help! Encourage your church's leadership to participate in this year's offering.

The Week of Prayer - November 14-21

Set aside this week to pray for Baptist Children’s Homes and use this guide as you pray.

We covet your prayers. We seek heavenly guidance and inspiration in all that we do. As you pray this week, remember you are a part of “helping hurting children…healing broken families.”

Sunday. Pray for all children and families in North Carolina.

Monday. Pray for all the hundreds of children and families to whom we offer hope each year.

Tuesday. Pray for all the dedicated child care workers, residential care givers, and Chiefs who give of themselves around the clock to care for our boys and girls.

Wednesday. Pray for our social workers who guide, encourage and challenge our children and families to be all that God intends.

Thursday. Pray for those who live at all of BCH’s homes for developmentally disabled adults.

Friday. Pray for Oak Ranch and BCH’s equine therapy service.

Saturday. Pray for BCH president Michael C. Blackwell as he leads the institution boldly into the future.

Sunday. Pray that you will be sensitive to the hurting children around you.

Here are ways your church or group can conduct a successful Thanksgiving Offering campaign:

Order enough material. A Thanksgiving Offering Promotion Packet will be mailed to every North Carolina Baptist church around the beginning of October. After your church receives their packet, determine if you need more material. If you do, order additional material by calling BCH’s Development and Communications office – in NC (800) 476-3669, ext. 1209 or E-mail: cmccrosky@bchfamily.org.
Multiple packets are sent to each church. Make sure someone else has not already ordered your church’s materials.
A pastor’s support is essential. Keep your pastor informed concerning all activities. You can take your campaign beyond the local church by promoting the offering with the association office and among other local churches.
Don’t try to do it all yourself. Start early and be organized. For example, form a committee and explain to them the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of hurting children.
Two weeks before promotion begins, meet to discuss specific efforts, including: creating bulletin boards, putting up posters, placing offering envelopes in pews and in Sunday School departments, getting articles in the church newsletter
Pray. Pray, then determine a challenging, but attainable, offering goal for your church.
Secure someone for a special testimony during Wednesday night services, Sunday nights, and Sunday mornings. BCH speakers are available to help you. Today is not too early. Call the office of Development and Communications to schedule your speaker. Our toll free number in NC is (800) 476-3669, ext. 1209 or E-mail your request to: cmccrosky@bchfamily.org
Emphasize that BCH is a personal ministry. Part of your strategy should be to point out the personal aspect of raising gifts to make a difference in the lives of children and young people. Ask BCH supporters in the church to make a “pace-setting Thanksgiving Offering gift.” This kind of example encourages others to give.
Subscribe to Charity & Children. It’s free and sent to anyone interested in helping children and families through BCH.

Call in NC (800) 476-3669, ext. 1209 or E-mail: cmccrosky@bchfamily.org for more information about Thanksgiving Offering.

2010 Offering Video

President Michael C. Blackwell's passion for Baptist Children's Homes' mission of serving children and families shines brightly in this year's video. The 27-year leader is encompassed by residents from Baptist Children's Homes' present and past who share their personal experiences and tell why they are thankful for BCH's life-changing ministry.

Thanksgiving Offering

The Week of Prayer - November 14-21

Here are ways your church or group can conduct a successful Thanksgiving Offering campaign:

2010 Offering Video

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