Associations can dream big thanks to the Arizona Mission Offering

Associations are where local collaboration happens.

And that’s why this year a portion of Arizona Mission Offering funds will go toward resourcing associations. 

“Our associations don’t have enough resources to fulfill the vision that God has given them,” said Monty Patton, the executive director of the Arizona Mission Network. “And our associations are a valuable partner in ministry.” 

Associational collaborations are one of seven ministry areas that will receive support from the 2026 Arizona Mission Offering. The goal for this year’s offering is $225,000 with $32,142 going to each area of ministry. The theme for 2026 is We Connect, based on Galatians 6:2.

“This will provide resources to help associations engage their churches in collaborative opportunities addressing the four questions of the Arizona Mission Network in their region,” said Don Vickers, associational mission strategist for the Yuma Mission Network. Vickers is also the state representative for the Southern Baptist Conference of Associational Leaders. 

At the annual meeting last November, Patton shared four questions to help guide the Arizona Mission Network. They are:

• Who’s Your One? 
• Who’s Your Next?
• Where’s Your Next? 
• How Can You Help?

Thanks to funds raised through the Arizona Mission Offering, associations can request additional resources to help answer one of those four questions.

“If they want an evangelism conference or training; if they want to have leadership development; if they want to be more engaged in missions; if they want to do something to help each other, we’ll come alongside them,” Patton said. 

The key is for associations to have a ministry plan.

“A lot of our associations don’t have extra, so this provides a pool to help our guys dream a little bigger and engage their folks a little more strongly,” Vickers said. 

The goal is that churches, through their association, collaborate locally to “better engage the gospel in their contexts,” he added. 

Individual churches already have access to funds and resources directly through the Arizona Mission Network, Patton said. This allocation from the Arizona Mission Offering aims to empower associations to think creatively and collaboratively. 

“Our associations are our best partners…” Patton said. “We’re more effective the closer we get to the church, and the association is the front line for that engagement.” 

Learn more about the Arizona Mission Offering at azmn.org/amo