AAEOSlider1 According to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, the word sent is used about 690 times in the Bible, 184 of those times being in the New Testament. The word go is used 251 times in the New Testament. Jesus says or implies 40 times in the New Testament that He was sent by God. Clearly, God is a sender by nature.

In the Old Testament, He sent prophets, angels and the very special Angel of the Lord. In the New Testament, He sent not only angels, but John the Baptist, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, among others. Jesus sent the apostles, and He has sent us.

When watching news stories, one cannot help but notice the fallen state of the world. How can we, as individuals, make an impact for the better?

Each year, we honor the life and advocacy of Annie Walker Armstrong (1850-1938) when we give to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American missions. As a tireless servant of God and a contagious advocate and supporter of missions efforts throughout the world, Annie Armstrong led women to unite in missions endeavors that ultimately led to the formation of Woman’s Missionary Union, for which she served as the first corresponding secretary.

Annie believed in and followed Christ with all her heart, but it was her hands that expressed that belief in tangible ways. She spent a great amount of time typing and handwriting letters in support of missions. Many of these letters were quite lengthy and all were filled with conviction that more could and should be done in our missions efforts.

Annie never hesitated to use her hands to reach out to hug a child or distribute food, clothing and the Word of God to those in need. Her hands held her own Bible as she studied to know how best to share Gods love with others. And, most important, Annie was a woman of prayer, folding her hands in prayer to intercede for the missionaries and for those they were helping discover Christ.

You can help push back lostness in North America by:

Praying Fervently

Pray for the mission field where you are and for the pastors and ministry leaders committed to the area where you live. Pray for the North American Mission Board missionaries working to reach the US and Canada with the power of the gospel. (Galatians 6:9–10.) The world needs for the Lord to intervene now more than ever before. God says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 if His people will humble themselves and pray and seek His face and turn from their evil ways, He will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.

Pray that Christians worldwide will stand firm in the faith and not stand idly by while darkness takes over. Ask for corporate forgiveness and determine to be obedient even when it is hard.

Giving Generously

God’s not asking for a gift that will impress people sitting in your pew or standing in the pulpit. He’s asking for sincere, sacrificial gifts that will glorify Him. Ask the Lord what amount you should give to support missionaries and church planters in North America through the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. (Luke 6:38)

Going Intentionally

Determine to eagerly raise your hand and say, “Here I am. Send me.” Ask God what your “Send me” looks like.

Maybe it’s ministering in the retirement community across town. Maybe it’s building relationships at the school in your neighborhood. Maybe it’s planting a church six states away. Wherever God puts upon your heart, pray that He will prepare the mission field there and that He will prepare your heart to serve there. (Exodus 4:12)

OFFERING FAST FACTS:

✔ Purpose: To support the efforts of the North American Mission Board missionaries and church planters as they push back lostness in the United States and Canada. ✔ Amount of AAEO used to support missionaries and their work: 100% ✔ Amount of NAMB budget that comes from AAEO: 49% ✔ Amount of NAMB budget from Cooperative Program: 38% ✔ Year offering started: WMU started it in 1895 ✔ Amount given in 1895: $5,000 + ✔ Amount given to AAEO fiscal year Oct 1, 2014 – Sept 30, 2015: $58 million ✔ Year offering named after Annie Armstrong: 1934 ✔ Offering Goal for 2016: $70 million

[su_button url="https://anniearmstrong.com/donate/" target="blank" radius="0"]Donate Online[/su_button] [su_spacer] Donate by mail directly to the North American Mission Board at: North American Mission Board P.O. Box 116543 Atlanta, GA 30368-6543 Make sure to indicate “Annie Armstrong Easter Offering” on your check.