As Southern Baptists, our annual December missions focus is on international missions. It is exciting to know that the Eliza Broadus Offering also has an impact on international missions right here in Kentucky! Let me share a few examples.
Baptist Campus Ministries across Kentucky work with international students on our college and university campuses. Through weekly Bible studies, English classes, and many other events, we are doing international missions here. Engage, our international student conference held each November, is one way that we use the Eliza Broadus Offering to do international missions here in Kentucky. Students from around the world who have come to Kentucky to attend college are often among the brightest and best students from their countries. They will return to work in business, government, health care and many other fields. How important it is that we share the gospel with them while they are in our midst. Who knows how far the gospel shared here will travel around the world!
EBO helps us plant churches to reach the internationals who have come to live in Kentucky. We have churches that worship in many different languages and reach out to people of diverse cultures and ethnic groups. The exciting part is not only when internationals come to faith in Christ, but also as they share Jesus with people in their home countries.
EBO provides funds for the Hispanic Bible Institute which trains Hispanic pastors and church leaders. It is so important for effective language ministry to have trained leaders. Every EBO dollar invested in Hispanic leadership develop is multiplied as these trained leaders share the gospel.
EBO is part of a ministry called Friendship International with ministries in Louisville, Lexington, and Paducah. Started by WMU, these ministries meet weekly for Bible study, choir, crafts, English lessons, sewing, and other classes of interest. Often the participants are wives who feel isolated while their husbands are at work. Through Friendship International, they meet other internationals and Americans who welcome them here.
EBO provides funds for migrant ministries to reach seasonal workers. Several of our Baptist associations are engaged in outreach to migrant workers who are in Kentucky only for a short period of time. It is vital for us to witness and show compassion during the brief stay of these workers.
So while EBO is a state missions offering, it has an international impact. The Eliza Broadus Offering year is September 1 to August 31 and contributions are received all year long. Thank you for your generosity which helps us to reach the world in Kentucky.
