BGMC Sets All-Time Giving Record

What does it take to raise millions of dollars to help missionaries? According to David Boyd, national Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge (BGMC) director, the answer is kids and kids leaders with an incredible passion to help missionaries reach the people of the world for Christ. 

Boyd says that BGMC had its biggest year ever in 2014, raising $6,368,178.07 for missions. That's an increase of over $209,959.65 in giving over 2013. Since BGMC started in 1949, $126,560,766.32 has been given by kids all across America. 

"It is absolutely amazing that year after year BGMC keeps hitting records," Boyd says. "Kids are listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit and they are developing a heart of compassion for the world and it shows in their giving."

"BGMC is the Assemblies of God program that supplies our missionaries with whatever they need to spread the gospel and to help people," says Mary Boyd, national BGMC coordinator. "This includes helping with feeding programs, water wells, orphanages, children's homes, medical clinics, disaster relief, and lots more!"

With the leading of the Holy Spirit, kids are doing amazing things for BGMC. They are using their skills and creativity to make a difference in the world. 

A few of the giving highlights from 2014 include:

• The number-one giving church in the nation was First Assembly of God in Fort Myers, Florida. Lead pastor is Dan Betzer. Children's pastor is Sammy Whaley. They gave $55,790.45.

• The Peninsular Florida District was the top-giving district in the nation, giving $610,260.36. This is the first time that a district has given over $600,000 to BGMC in one year. BGMC is under the direction of the Christian Education director, Steve Powell.

• The Wyoming District led the nation for per capita giving with $17.91 per person. BGMC is under the direction of the Christian Education director, Brian Rossignol.

Some examples of what kids have been doing for BGMC include Chelsea and Michael painting seashells and rocks and selling them, raising over $800 for BGMC. Renea making beautiful wreaths out of paper, raising more than $1,300 for BGMC. Tommy holding a garage sale, raising over $750. Dane took pledges to cut his curly hair, raising over $2,500.

However, this past year, a young Florida boy set the all-time record for a child's giving to BGMC.

Nine-year-old Carson Rudy, who attends Impact Church in Lake Wales, Florida, raised over $17,000 for BGMC in 2014.

David Boyd commented, "This is the first time a kid has raised this much money in one year."

At the beginning of the year, Carson says he prayed and God told him to make a BGMC faith promise of $11,000 for the year. When his parents asked him how he was going to do that, Carson had a lot of ideas - ideas that worked. He held a garage sale, sold his toys and collections, did chores, and gave Buddy Barrel banks to all of his friends and family members to fill for BGMC. His grandfather owns a tour bus company and Carson put a barrel bank in each bus and asked everyone to fill it. His biggest fund-raiser was going "Up in the Air" with his dad and lead pastor for one week. Carson spent two nights on the scaffolding and came each day after school. While there, he called people and asked for pledges. Since Carson was five years old, he has raised over $53,000 for BGMC. 

Sunday, March 8 , is National BGMC Day in the Assemblies of God. "The theme for BGMC is 'GO Make a Difference!'" David Boyd says. "We want kids to know that with God's help, they can make a difference in this world by praying, giving, and being willing to go!"

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