By Tim Lubinus, BCI Executive Director/Treasurer
The focus of the 2015 Iowa Mission Offering (William & Garlinda Hyde Iowa Missions Offering) is Reaching the Next Generation of Iowans for Christ.
This year our foundation committee made two changes in how we handle funds in our Collegiate Ministry Fund that enabled 21 Baptist Convention of Iowa students preparing for ministry by working toward a master’s degree to receive tuition funding. Within a few semesters, we expect a wave of new graduates who are prepared for ministry in Iowa.
Additionally we created an internship to assist churches that are starting new ministries to reach college students. During the prior school year, First Family Church in Ankeny, Crest Baptist Church in Creston, Sojourn Church in Council Bluffs, and New Heights Church in Indianola received funding for starting new collegiate ministry at the college in their communities.
Because of the strategic nature of reaching the next generation for Christ and because of the wide response to these ministries, we will use the first $30,000 given toward the offering for general BCI ministries and then 100 percent of any additional funds given to go toward reaching the next generation by developing leaders through seminary education and by starting new collegiate ministries. Last year we received $27,481.77 for the William & Garlinda Hyde Iowa Mission Offering.
