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).

The theme for 2007 is Love + Give = Hope. You do the math. It just adds up! Lives are changed when you act!

Love... “But the greatest of these is love...” (1 Corinthians 13:13b) Individuals give of themselves to make a child’s life better. Men and women come to “Friends of Children” workdays to build and paint and plant beautiful flowers by a child’s cottage. This year, they “prayer walked” our campuses interceding for the children and staff.

Give... “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35b) Baptists dig deep to give sacrificially. This ministry is rooted deep in their hearts as demonstrated by stepping up year after year to meet BCH’s financial challenges.

Hope...“For we are saved by hope…” (Romans 8:24a) The generosity of our churches reminds children that hope abounds and that they are loved – no matter what!

Our statewide offering goal this year is $1,400,000. It is a $25,000 increase above the amount received in last year’s offering. Your leadership is once again vital. Lead your church in setting a daring goal, and personally lead the way in reaching and surpassing the goal.

The Week of Prayer - November 11-18

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 the new Oak Ranch ministry and BCH’s new equine therapy program.

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: wwstewart@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: wwstewart@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: wwstewart@bchfamily.org for more information about Thanksgiving Offering.

Thanksgiving Offering

The Week of Prayer - November 11-18

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

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