When you give to The American Baptist Churches of Maine, you are engaging with local congregations, individuals, and associations to support, affirm and challenge local churches to fulfill the mission of Jesus Christ in their community and throughout the world.
YOUR GIFTS TO:
Church Leadership Support Fund
- Provide resources for Leadership and Development Training
- Provide resources of Pastoral Health
- Provide resources for Grants and Scholarships for Continuing Education
- Provide resources for Networking with ABCOM and ABCUSA Church Leaders.
Congregational Support Fund
- Provide resources to local congregations that encourage discipleship, mission, worship, Christian education, and evangelism.
- Provide resources for development and training that encourage local church boards, pastoral search committees, pastoral relations committees, stewardship, and conflict mediation.
Community Support Fund
- Provide resources for establishing or hosting community development projects, community mission engagements, and community encouragement and support.
- Provide resources for training and education: Transformed by the Spirit, and Missional Learning Communities.
- Church planting and development
- Disaster relief
- Short Term Mission Trips for individuals and congregations
Regional Support Fund
- Ministry Education Scholarships
- China Lake Conference Center
- Seasonal Educational Camps and Camp Scholarships
Dear Partner in Ministry,
In every stage of American history, the American Baptist Churches of Maine was there presenting a witness for Jesus Christ. Our local churches have borne witness to the generosity of our God who gave His Son for us. Together we have sent missionaries and ministers from our churches into the world. We continue to do so today.
Jesus taught, “And He was saying, “The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows—how, he himself does not know. The soil produces crops by itself, first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
As our leadership considered the history of our region here in Maine, God stirred our hearts in remembrance of those who have gone before us, the incredible responsibility we have for those we serve today, as well as those who will come behind us. We considered these questions: how do we encourage today, provide for those we serve now, and plan for the next generation who come behind us?
As American Baptist churches we have a rich history that has provided a gracious witness ministering to the least, the last, and the lost with the grace of Christ that shaped and continues to transform us. In many of our local churches, the gracious outreach into their community provides hope. The American Baptist Foundation through their expertise and skills help local churches find the resources for today’s outreach while planning for future mission endeavors.
There is always a cycle on ministry. There is a season to plant seeds, a season of growth while the plant matures, and a season to harvest and celebrate. Throughout our history, plantings have taken place, growth occurs, the harvest ensues, and we celebrate those who come to Christ through our ministries.
The Green Shoots Endowment believes that this cycle of renewal and reform is always at work among God’s people. What we plant now, we may never see harvested or know how fruitful a seed will become. We are called to plant in hope, trusting God for the increase. This is your opportunity to plant in hope and expectation, trusting God to bless and multiply your financial gifts into ministries that will continue to transform Maine and the world for Christ.
Our local churches have practiced a transforming witness in their communities through their relationship with Christ and with each other. It is the community of Jesus Christ, His Church, that lives are shaped by His Kingdom values and for the furtherance of His great cause.
American Baptist churches are stewards of what God has entrusted to us. We believe that our witness and our mission continue until Christ returns. As a people who have been entrusted with a mission that began in 1804, we strive with every generation of American Baptists to entrust our faith and practice into the faithful hands of the next generation. By planting seeds today, we that today’s cultivation will bring a future harvest.
We are called to be faithful. The American Baptist Churches of Maine recognizes the need to provide an opportunity for you to share your passion and commitment to furthering the cause of our Savior in Maine and beyond. Our Board has established the Green Shoots Endowment for such a purpose. This endowment will be used by the American Baptist Churches of Maine to further our mission by raising up church leaders, assisting congregations in their mission, providing opportunities in local outreach and mission events, and encouraging our region to continue to bear witness to the rich history and heritage of our American Baptist faith and practice in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
Will you today be a “Green Shoots” planter? Will you plant seeds now trusting that God will bless and multiply them in the future? Will you join with a Great Cloud of witnesses who have used their time, talents, and treasure to further the cause of our Divine Redeemer?
Thank you in advance for your generosity and faith.
May God continue to bless you as you pursue Christ and make Him known.
In His Service,
Rev. Dr. Alfred J. Fletcher
WHY PAY TOO MUCH IN TAXES?
Each year, thousands, perhaps millions, of people pay too much in taxes, never knowing they did not need to pay them. Don’t be one of those people. Recent tax law changes make it especially important that you know what deductions and strategies are available for you. The end of the year is the perfect time to learn all the ways you can save taxes.
Give yourself a present in the New Year by lowering your taxes now. Because tax savings often include a charitable gift, you can also end the year by helping the causes important to you.
In December 2019, Congress passed a law that has special significance for those of us over age 70.
To learn how to use your IRA, develop charitable gifts, save yourself taxes and bless ministries you want to support without writing a check read more here.
American Baptist Foundation Personal Planning Newsletter
Charitable Gift Annuity
Gifts of Stock
The Green Shoots Fund is a partnership of American Baptist Churches of Maine with the American Baptist Foundation. To learn more about how your church can benefit from American Baptist Foundation’s premier support services, account administration or, in general, about planned giving, please visit www.abcofgiving.com
Kristine Lutton
Development Advisor
American Baptist Foundation
Email: Kristine.Lutton@abc-usa.org
ABF Office: Mailing: 420 W. Germantown Pike, East Norriton, PA 19403
American Baptist Churches of Maine 