It’s hard to believe, but Christmas is just around the corner! In the midst of plans for Christmas musical presentations and dramas and holiday parties, Southern Baptists turn their thoughts to the rich history of giving to the special missions offering named for Lottie Moon, an early missionary to China.

This year’s goal is $155,000,000!

Here are some facts about supporting international mission efforts you might be able to use to help your church reach its offering goal:

• It takes $58, 200 a year to support a missionary.
• That means it costs $4,850 per month.
• Which translates into $1,119 a week.
• It costs $159 per day to sustain a missionary on the field.

There are several ways you can ignite your church members’ excitement about giving this year:

1. Share from the pulpit or enlist someone to make presentations during worship services.

2. Use the free resources available from the International Mission Board (IMB). Go to: www.imbcomecting.org  for resources (videos, mission sermon, missionary testimonies).

3. Order bulletin inserts, prayer guides, and posters through the Indiana State WMU Office.

4. Set aside time to study about Norway, the country emphasis for 2016. Order materials for preschoolers, children, students, and adults at www.wmu.com  Use the age level or church wide studies as a kick-off for the Christmas giving season.

5. After you set your church goal, make plans for encouraging members to reach it! Take a percentage of the national $155,000,000 goal and create a visual to show the progress toward the goal. Ornaments for a specific amount of your goal can be added to a tree or bows on a Christmas wreath will keep the offering before the church. Encourage children to give by asking them to donate pennies in separate jars for the boys and the girls in a contest-like friendly competition.