By Bill Gattis, Miracle Sunday Conference Coordinator, North Carolina Annual Conference
Introduction: Honesty, Harvesting, and Surpassing Generosity
When the preliminary figures for our Miracle Sunday offering came together, I felt a mixture of deep gratitude and honest trepidation. Across the North Carolina Annual Conference, 114 churches stepped forward to contribute a collective $224,550. We were also heartened early on when 34 conference leaders at a pre-campaign dinner personally committed $50,000 to set the pace.
While initial numbers reflected about 26% participation against an optimistic 50% target, this first wave provided invaluable baseline metrics and strategic insights to cultivate deeper involvement in supporting the Miracle Sunday offering. Looking closely at the giving data, the depth of generosity was extraordinarily inspiring—participating congregations gave across a wide spectrum, ranging from $100 gifts to a remarkable contribution of nearly $32,000 from a single church.
The takeaway for annual conferences is clear: initial participation data serves as a rich harvest of insights, demonstrating that when churches catch the vision, their depth of generosity and commitment can far exceed expectations.
Equal Sacrifice Over Equal Gifts: The Spirit of the Widow's Mite
We intentionally chose not to assign financial goals to local churches. Instead, our guiding principle was "equal sacrifice, not equal gifts."
Many of our smaller congregations have felt depleted and defeated following the hardships of COVID-19 and recent disaffiliations. Local leaders face constant financial strain and competing appeals, including conference apportionments. In this environment, we challenged congregations to pray and discern: Where is God’s call greatest for our generosity at this missional moment?
Appeals do not touch every person or congregation in the same way. Our role as leaders is to tell the story faithfully and test where the Holy Spirit will stir a response. Generosity is, ultimately, a synergistic partnership with the Almighty. When churches give according to their means—and in some cases beyond their means, like the widow’s mite—the impact is profound.
Connecting at Annual Conference: Capturing Second-Chance Momentum
Not every congregation is ready or able to participate on an initial offering date. Recognizing this, we appealed to churches to extend the spring deadline and consider taking a one-time special offering prior to Annual Conference, inviting lay members and clergy to bring those gifts directly to Annual Conference worship.
During Annual Conference, we received a dedicated offering twice within the context of worship, raising approximately $17,000. The speakers (including myself) were given time before the offering to inform and inspire.
This dual-offering approach served two critical purposes:
It inspired first-time and second-time gifts from attendees who were moved by the vision.
It provided an accessible platform to inform congregation leaders who had not previously engaged in the offering.
Understanding Local Pressure & Embracing Our Resilient DNA
It is easy for weary leaders to ask: Why lean into a worldwide initiative when local pressures feel so heavy?
Resilient faithfulness is our Christian heritage; it is in our DNA. Through the lens of the Paschal Mystery, we know that without a cross—without struggle and sacrifice—there is no resurrection. A living, thriving faith remains active against all odds. Our local strains must not blind us to where God is moving in the world.
The worldwide opportunity right now is staggering. According to Pew Research and scholar Philip Jenkins (The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity), the growth of Christianity in the Global South is historic:
In 1900, only 18% of the world's Christians lived in the Southern Hemisphere.
Today, that number has grown to 67%–70%, with Africa becoming the global center of Christianity.
By 2050, it is projected that 40% of the world's Christians will live in Africa.
The need to train new clergy and theological professors in the Wesleyan tradition is essential for this epic moment. The Endowment for Theological Education – Africa, Europe, and the Philippines meets this moment head on.
On a personal level, my own call to serve as Conference Coordinator emerged directly from my daily prayer time for Africa after U.S. international aid was suspended. When Bishop Shelton invited me to serve, I felt it was God calling me to put feet to my prayers.
The Role of Pastoral & Lay Leadership: Leading with Gratitude
Appeals rooted in gratitude and thanksgiving are far more fruitful than appeals driven merely by operational need.
To inspire a congregation:
Pastors can share their own vocational journeys and highlight how the generosity of others supported their education and ministry—asking, "Where would I be if that support hadn't been there?"
Laity can similarly share how educational or vocational support enabled them to live out a purposeful life.
When we invite people to give out of a heart of gratitude, stewardship transforms from a burden into an opportunity.
It’s Not Too Late: Flexible Pathways for Churches
If your conference has churches that missed the initial window, encourage them with low-friction entry points:
Fall Stewardship or Capital Drives: Designate a portion (such as a tithe) of fall drives to the Miracle Sunday initiative.
Holiday Offerings: Schedule a special offering during Thanksgiving or Christmas, supported by brief announcements in the weeks leading up to it.
Student Testimonies: Invite local college or seminary students home for the holidays to speak in worship about the impact of higher education and scholarship aid.
Rooted in Wesleyan Identity: Why Worldwide Theological Education Matters
As Wesleyans, our foundational conviction is that "The world is our parish." Pastors and lay leaders must consistently interpret this worldwide connection—not just once a year, but monthly across worship, small groups, newsletters, and displays.
Importantly, our African, European, and Philippine partners in the Regional Conferences are not passive recipients; conferences like those in the South Congo and Zambia Episcopal Area are giving generously themselves. In a world increasingly leaning toward isolationism, advocating for a robust witness is both timely and vital.
Actionable Next Steps for Conference and Local Leaders
For conferences or churches looking to launch or reignite a Miracle Sunday Offering, here is a clear roadmap:
Form a Dedicated Laity & Pastoral Team: Select team members with a passion for domestic and worldwide mission, strong communication skills, and organizational follow-through.
Connect with Coordinators: Seek guidance and resources from your Conference Miracle Sunday Coordinators.
Establish a Clear Communication Window: Pick an offering date and plan 3 to 4 weeks of pre-offering information sharing across multiple platforms (worship, Sunday School, newsletters, social media).
Utilize Resource Guides & Personal Stories: Draw from official Miracle Sunday resources, anchoring every message in compelling personal stories that bring the vision to life.
Ready to ignite generosity across your conference or local church? Reach out to Kristin Schol, Miracle Sunday Administrator, to discover customized resources, strategic guidance, and inspiring pathways to champion The Endowment for Theological Education - Africa, Europe, and the Philippines.
Ready to give now? Visit our donate page.