NCMO theme encourages churches to be ‘compelled by love’

Every September, churches across the state of North Carolina pause to reflect on, celebrate and give sacrificially to the North Carolina Missions Offering (NCMO).

The NCMO is an annual offering that provides support for the ministries of Baptists on Mission, also known as N.C. Baptist Men (NCBM), church planting, mission camps, associational projects and mobilization ministry projects.

Compelled by love – those three words are the heartbeat of the North Carolina Missions Offering, which is your opportunity to support missions here in North Carolina, the United States and around the world. It involves seeing a need, having compassion and responding in kindness. As we look across our state, nation and world, we see needs everywhere, and relief is costly.

The theme is based upon 2 Corinthians 5:14, which says “For Christ’s love compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: If One died for all, then all died” (HCSB). Because Christ has lovingly died in our place, we are compelled to share the gospel and sacrificially serve those in need.

The offering goal for 2020 is $2.1 million.

NCMO supports ministry efforts both here and around the world. Abroad, the offering supports key mission partnerships in countries such as Armenia, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Kenya, Romania and Cuba.

Here in the United States, NCMO supports the many ministries of NCBM, church planting, mission camps, mobilization ministry projects and work through the Baptist associations.

Because Christ has lovingly died in our place, we are compelled to share the gospel and sacrificially serve those in need.

COVID-19 has affected every state across our nation at the same time. Since the end of February, Baptists on Mission has helped churches love their neighbors and one another during these stressful days. Hundreds of families have been connected with local churches who are ministering to them. And volunteers have been picking up and distributing food at 185 churches and community centers across the state to help those in need.

In addition, Baptists on Mission has provided 40,000 N-95 masks and 10,000 surgical masks to health care workers across the state.

In addition to the NCBM work, the NCMO supports various other ministries that are also focused on reaching the lost. Through NCMO, we are able to work with about 100 new church plants each year within our state. The NCMO is vital to the convention’s church planting efforts, providing approximately one-third of the church planting team’s annual budget.

In addition, 10 percent of all NCMO funds are sent to local associations to support various missions and outreach efforts that serve those in need.

Although the NCMO emphasis occurs in September, offerings are received year-round. A number of free resources are available for pastors to promote NCMO in their churches. Resources are available at ncmissionsoffering.org/resources.