What is the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering?

If you’re not familiar with Southern Baptist history, then you might be wondering, “What is a Lottie Moon?”.  Well, Lottie Moon isn’t a “what”, it’s a “who”, and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (LMCO) is taken up each year in her honor. 

Here’s a brief biographical sketch of who this woman was and why we collect an offering for international missions each year.

Lottie Moon was a single woman, who was born into a wealthy Virginia family in the mid-1800s. When she went off to college she was an unbeliever, but God soon saved her and radically changed the direction of her life. Shortly thereafter she left her comfortable home and followed the Lord’s leading to be a missionary to China.

For the next 40 years she served as a missionary to China and her stories are recorded in many letters she wrote to her home church and the missionary society that sent her.  Since then those letters have inspired generations of believers to be involved in International Missions, encouraging both new missionaries to step out in faith as well as the Church in the US to give generously to the work of missions around the world.

Lottie Moon passed away on Christmas Eve, of the year 1912 (at 72 years old), having poured out her entire adult life on the altar of sacrifice for the Gospel. 

In her honor every December Great Commission Baptist (SBC) churches all over North America collect a special offering, the proceeds of which (100% of them) go to support missionaries serving literally all over the globe.

Imagine over 47,000 Great Commission Baptist (SBC) churches all pooling their resources to help support nearly 4,000 missionaries serving in places all over the globe.  Last year, this offering totaled over $177 million, and the International Mission Board’s goal this year is $185 million. What a display of unity, cooperation, and Great Commission partnership! 

How to participate?

At NewBranch we participate in the collection of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, and so during the month of December we will be collecting this offering for international missions along with our normal offering. We encourage you to pray and ask the Lord how He would have your family participate in this offering so that the gospel can continue to penetrate the dark places of this planet.

You can contribute to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering in 3 ways:

  • Check - Please make out your check to “NewBranch Communbity Church” as you would normally, and designate the offering to “Lottie Moon”. Place the check in offering plate on Sunday, or mail to the church address (3805 Braselton Hwy, Buford, GA 30519).

  • Cash - The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is a great opportunity to teach your children about supporting gospel missions around the world. Consider encouraging their participation by coming up with a “family donation box” or some way for them to contribute. Cash envelopes are available in the lobby of the church, and please just write “Lottie Moon” on the envelope so we know these gifts are designated to the LMCO.

  • Online - Navigate to our online giving portal and select the “Lottie Moon Offering” fund. Please remember that there is a transaction fee of 2.9%.

We will collect the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering during our normal offering time throughout the month of December. Please prayerfully consider how your family will participate in this special missions offering over and above your regular giving to the church.

If you have any questions, please contact the church office.