Texas Baptists set record in giving to world hunger offering

DALLAS—Texas Baptists gave a record $901,401 to help the hungry through the Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger in 2009.

While giving to many causes was down, giving to the hunger offering increased 22 percent last year. More than 600 churches contributed to the offering, an increase of 85 from 2008.

Because of the generosity of Texas Baptists, it appears the Texas Hope 2010 goal of raising $2 million in two years is attainable, said Suzii Paynter, director of Texas Baptists’ Advocacy and Care Center. Through the Texas Hope 2010 initiative, believers are praying for those around them, caring for those in need and sharing the gospel.

“The Texas Hope 2010 challenge to share the hope of Christ with every person in Texas reminded us that we can’t speak of hope with folks who are hungry,” said Texas Baptists’ Executive Director Randel Everett. “As we feed them, we speak of Christ’s hope. The increased offering is an indication that Texas Baptists are rallying around this ministry opportunity.”

In addition to giving to the offering, churches created and expanded their feeding ministries, providing food for thousands of people who would have had nothing to eat during the economic crunch of 2009, Paynter said. Congregations connected with the hungry, which drove their desire to further help them.

“We have so many churches who have participated in Texas Hope 2010’s prayer, care and share,” she said. “Care is so accessible. Many churches have done something. Having care in front of them has helped give them a heart for the hungry.”

The record giving above the offering’s 2009 goal of $750,000 empowered Texas Baptist leaders to award Texas Hope 2010 Care Grants to hunger ministries across the state, providing immediate assistance at a time of need, such as a $10,000 grant for Texas Baptist Men disaster relief that was awarded in the wake of the recent earthquake in Haiti. The funds helped pay for 5,000 water purification filters that TBM sent into the country.

The care grants supported a variety of hunger ministries, particularly those identified by intercultural churches, the African American Fellowship and Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas.

“By being able to give these Hope 2010 grants, what a tremendous encouragement that is,” Paynter said. “Like giving these 5,000 water filters for Haiti.”

The hunger offering was bolstered by the identification and recruitment of more than 250 hunger advocates across the state who raised awareness of the need to minister to the hungry.

Online giving to the offering also was introduced in 2009, which allowed people to easily give the cost of a meal each month to the offering.
“When people sign up that way even to give a small amount each month, it really helps the offering,” Paynter said.

Texas Baptists feel confident in giving to the hunger offering, Paynter said. They see the impact it has across the state and in their own backyards. They know the money is being used efficiently in Texas and trust it is being used likewise around the globe.

“When people give to this offering, they know where the money is going,” she said. “They know it’s going to the Amarillo Baptist Association or the San Antonio Baptist Association. They see it. I think that makes a tremendous difference.”

For more information about the Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger, visit www.texasbaptists.org/worldhunger .