E. B. Atwood, the first corresponding secretary (now executive director) of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico, wrote in 1913, “All future work and growth in New Mexico is waiting on State Missions.” The Mission New Mexico State Missions Offering (MNM) is the way New Mexico Baptists give to meet essential ministry needs in the state. MNM weaves together old and new. 
 
Many names have connected New Mexico Baptists to a yearly offering to support gospel work in the state. The generic “State Missions Offering” served the state well between 1912 and 1988. Some years additional monikers were used. Baptist Dollar Day is a concept from the 1930s. Baptists were encouraged to give $1 above their regular pledges. In 1933 and 1934, the offerings totaled less than $1,000. 
 
Baptist Dollar Day was used again in 1942, and the offering total was more than $3,400. Other names added to State Missions Offering include Conquest Sunday, Honor Day, Double Your Tithe Sunday, Pay-Up Week, and Duty Month. 
 
The offering was distributed according to identified needs. The New Mexico Baptist Children’s Home, established in 1919, received funds for several years. Parkview Baptist Medical Center, founded in 1952, received funds until its closing in 1963. 
 
In 1989, the offering was renamed the Harry P. Stagg State Missions Offering. Harry P. Stagg, who passed away in 2000 at 101, served 30 years as the executive director of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico. He led with the tenacity of a World War I Purple Heart, Silver Star, and French Legion of Honor recipient — and he received all these honors — and with the gospel focus of one who listened to and obeyed God. 
 
Faithfulness Through Trial 

Harry grew up in Louisiana, the son of a preacher. Missions was his first plan. He wanted to serve God as a medical missionary. He obtained a degree in missionary training from the Baptist Bible Institute, the forerunner of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Medical school, though, was not possible. Injuries sustained during World War I kept him from serving. 
 
In 1925, Harry took a cross-country trip with a friend, figuring he could die at home or take a chance on new surroundings. God orchestrated events during an unplanned stopover in New Mexico that led to Harry temporarily preaching at a church in Gallup that was without a pastor. His health was so poor that he couldn’t stand to preach. Even so, the church asked him to permanently fill the position. Harry said he would stay two months while the church found someone permanent. Two months became nearly 13 years. He left only when God called him to lead the state convention. 
 
State Missions Leadership 

Harry’s transition to executive director of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico was a step of obedience. In 1938, he was president of the state mission board and was asked to form a committee to look for the state convention’s next executive director. The convention had suffered financially during the Great Depression. It had not had a paid staff member for two years. A man pointed to Harry, who was an ex officio committee member, and said, “You are the man.” 
 
Harry laughed at the suggestion that he, a disabled veteran, could serve in that position. So the committee settled on another man. Not long after, Harry and his wife, Alma, were returning from a revival in a small Arizona town. That night, as they crossed the desert, Harry told his wife, “The Lord just talked to me like He never has in my life. He said, ‘Now listen. You are not going to laugh at me when I have a job for you to do.’” 
 
The Staggs didn’t share that conversation with anyone. When he found out the man the committee chose refused the nomination, Harry called another meeting. This time, when someone suggested Harry be nominated, he told them, “I don’t have to stop and think. I can accept this on the spot.” 
 
A Lasting Legacy 

During Harry’s tenure as executive director of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico, church growth in the state was strong. Between 1940 and 1950, 78 new churches were established. In the 1950s, another 87 churches were started. Harry led in establishing Inlow Baptist Camp, Sivells Baptist Camp, and Baptist Student Union (now Christian Challenge). He is also credited with being the “brains who put the New Mexico Baptist Foundation together.” 
 
The offering name changed once again in 2011 to the Mission New Mexico State Missions Offering. “We celebrate the history of this incredible offering, but we dream of the future,” said Joe Bunce, New Mexico executive director from 2006 to 2021. The name change was designed to reflect the direct impact the offering has through New Mexico ministries. 
 
Those ministries, some begun or emphasized by Harry P. Stagg, include church planting, Christian Challenge, state Baptist camps, hunger funds, people groups ministry, and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief.  
 
The MNM goal for 2025 is $480,000. Current executive director Steve Ballew affirmed MNM’s purpose: “The Mission New Mexico State Missions Offering is no longer the ‘icing on the cake.’ Instead, it is the ‘cake.’ It provides basic funding for ongoing ministries.” 
 

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Claudean Boatman grew up in Colorado, next door to New Mexico. Writing about this offering rekindled her love for New Mexicans who need Jesus. 
 
Photo Credit: The Baptist New Mexican