Scripture Reference: I John 3:18 (NIV)
“Dear children, let us not love in word or tongue, but with actions and in truth.”

Love and action are powerful words. In this reference the Apostle John is referring to “agape” love – the love talking about our behavior toward others, not our feelings. Action in the verse is referring to deeds, behavior and conduct. John is telling first-century Christians, “Let us not just talk about the love we possess because of Christ’s death on the cross for all, but through our actions, deeds and behavior, demonstrate Christ’s love for humankind.”

John’s words rang true in the first century and remain true in the 21st century for those who proclaim to be Christ’s followers. Many places in California mirror the society to which John was talking when he wrote those inspired words more than 2,000 years ago. And I know of no better place to live out the admonishment found in I John 3:18 than in our great state – California.

California is home to more than 38 million people. Of that population, 87 percent, or about 33 million, are unchurched or don’t have a personal relationship with Christ. North America is the fourth largest unreached nation in the world. California is the 37th most populous unreached area in the world.

These population statistics alone demonstrate that California Southern Baptists are called to show our “Love with Action.” That is what you do when you give to the California Mission Offering. You show your “Love With Action” as together we proclaim Jesus in a variety of ways such as resort missions; church starting for language, culture and ethnic groups; evangelism projects; literacy missions; community ministries; Disaster Relief; associational missions; and much more.

Through CMO, you make a difference in reaching Californians who don’t know Jesus by:

• starting churches to reach California’s diverse population,
• strengthening churches and helping them remain healthy,
• giving a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name through Disaster Relief, migrant and a variety of other ministries,
• partnering with associations to provide needed support for local projects, and
• providing valuable mission support to churches and their pastors in crisis times, and to students by providing scholarships for those training to be pastors and church staff members.

You can make a difference in providing “Love With Action” by giving to the California Mission Offering. Gifts to the offering provide needed support for projects and ministries in every part of the Golden State. 

• To educate California Southern Baptists concerning the urgent need of reaching our state for Jesus Christ. California is a vast and diverse state with about 33 million unchurched residents who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. California Southern Baptists must be obedient to Christ’s commission of reaching the world that has truly come to our state.
• To encourage California Southern Baptists to pray for California missions and state missionaries who work with churches to share the Gospel. Prayer is a vital part of missionary and ministry support. When we open our hearts to God, He hears us and responds.
• To encourage California Southern Baptists to go on mission and share their faith. California Southern Baptists can accomplish this without traveling great distances by being on mission and sharing their faith right where they live. Going and sharing could mean just across the street, or it might mean across town. However, God may be calling you to go to another city in the state to share His love.
• To encourage California Southern Baptists to give so missionaries and ministries throughout the state can be deployed to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. With this support, California Southern Baptists will be able to do more to tell people about Jesus and His saving grace.