Mission Georgia is an initiative of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board to bring gospel-centered care through local churches to the most vulnerable in Georgia. Compelled to love our neighbors as Christ commands, Mission Georgia strengthens efforts to send Georgia Baptist churches into our own communities with His transforming message.
For many years Mission Georgia has supported Georgia Baptist programs through an annual offering and prayer emphasis. GBMB Executive Director Thomas Hammond initiated an expanded role for the state missions offering in 2019 to mobilize churches throughout the year to serve individuals who are often in the most difficult circumstances.
Mission Georgia is bringing concentrated attention to five specific needs, each of which are well documented in every county of our state. Individuals facing these issues are often far from church activities. Many are children and youth. The needs of neighbors provide an opportunity for churches to share help and hope. But we must go to them where they are. As Psalm 4:6 says, “Many are asking, ‘Who can show us any good?’” As we serve tangible needs, we have the opportunity to address their greatest need – life in Christ.
2021 Initiatives Featuring Foster Care and Childhood Literacy
Mission Georgia has two primary initiatives this year.
4 Foster Kids helps churches find ways to serve foster care families. If each church commits to serving four children, we will cover the entire foster care system of Georgia with the love of Christ.
21 in 21 highlights Read Georgia, a program connecting churches with schools to help kids with sight words. Church volunteers can help change the trajectory of a child’s life by simply helping them become better readers.
Mission Georgia is also working with existing ministries to “model and multiply” community missions. Some ministries meet women in a crisis pregnancy with compassionate and proactive help. Others work to prevent children from being trafficked and bring restoration to those who have been victims. Churches with internationals and refugees help us see the opportunity to live Acts 1:8 in our own zip code as we reach the nations who are now our neighbors.
A love offering to Georgia, from Georgia
As the Georgia Baptist family, we have a unique opportunity to make a greater impact in our state through Mission Georgia. Praying together, giving together and serving together, we are advancing the gospel together in significant ways.