In spite of the national emergency surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Per Member Asking (PMA) giving held steady in the month of March. As of March 31, contributions received by the Office of the General Assembly since the July 1 start of Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) total $1,862,281. The amount received is $82,699 higher—4.6 percent—than the same period in the previous fiscal year (FY19). The EPC’s fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30.

While PMA support is higher than FY19, fiscal-year-to-date contributions have fallen $10,485 below the $1,872,766 budgeted projection to support the EPC’s Collaborative Ministries, Connectional Support, and Custodial Operations.

“Obviously, our churches faced significant challenges in the latter part of March due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the inability to hold in-person worship services,” said Jeff Jeremiah, EPC Stated Clerk. “Despite the economic uncertainty and the reality that many church members have lost income in recent days, I am very thankful that so many of our churches were able to give to PMA last month. It’s been inspiring to see how our churches have quickly adjusted in this new reality to creatively and effectively share the good news of Jesus Christ.”

Of the $1,862,281 received, $372,456 (20 percent) was contributed to EPC World Outreach.

In addition to PMA contributions, $4,637,512 in designated gifts were received through March 31. This total was $498,377 (12 percent) higher than the $4,139,135 in designated gifts received in the same period in FY19. Designated gifts include support for World Outreach global workers and projects, and contributions to EPC Special Projects such as Emergency Relief, church planting and revitalization initiatives, and the EPC’s holiday offerings.

Of the total, $3,899,781 was designated for World Outreach workers and projects, and $737,731 was designated for EPC projects. These amounts only reflect gifts received and distributed by the Office of the General Assembly, and do not reflect donations given directly to WO global workers or other projects.

Among the designated gifts received in March was a $10,000 donation for a World Outreach project.

“Giving to our designated accounts actually increased from 9 percent above fiscal year 2019 in February to 12 percent above fiscal year 2019 last month,” Jeremiah said. “I continue to thank our Lord for how sacrificially generous our churches and individuals are and how they support the ministries of the EPC.”