RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) -- Southern Baptists gave $145.6 million to international missions through the 2010 Lottie Moon Offering, $3 million less than the previous year and $8.3 million less than the International Mission Board needs to meet its 2011 operating budget, the IMB news office reported June 8.

Tom Elliff, the recently elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention entity based in Richmond, Va., applauded Southern Baptists for generosity amid doubts about America’s economic recovery and rumors of a double-dip recession.

The total fell well short of national goal of $175 million. Elliff said the “deficit is a matter of concern, but the issue is ultimately spiritual, not fiscal.”

The largest Lottie Moon Offering on record was $150.4 million in 2007, also short of a $175 million goal. Giving dropped to $141.3 million in 2008, and then rebounded to $148.9 million in 2009.

The goal for the 2011 offering is $175 million. The year 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the death of Lottie Moon, a Virginia-born missionary who dedicated her life to sharing the gospel in China.

Bob Allen is managing editor of Associated Baptist Press. 

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