Buoyed by better than expected financial results in 2010 ― including a $5.5 million bequest and Presbyterians’ generosity in supporting Haiti earthquake relief and reconstruction ― the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) increased the 2011 and 2012 General Assembly Mission Budgets by a combined $8.8 million.

At its March 30-April 1 meeting here, the GAMC approved a revised 2011 mission budget of $87,653,927, a net increase of $5,086,047 from the budget adopted by last summer’s 219th General Assembly, and a 2012 budget of $84,819,905, a net increase of $3,728,132.

Haiti relief and rebuilding expenditures account for $3 million of the increases in each of the two years. Presbyterians contributed more than $11 million in 2010 for Haiti earthquake response.

Controller Denise Hampton of the GAMC’s Finance and Accounting office reported to the council’s Stewardship Committee that total receipts in 2010 were $10.8 million higher than budget and expenditures were $6.5 under budget for the year.

“We expected to draw on the Presbyterian Mission Program Fund,” she said, referring to the GAMC’s cash reserves, “but we were able to add $2.8 million to the PMPF.”

In addition to Haiti relief and reconstruction, 2011 budget increases will fund:

  • Costs associated with the Big Tent event in Indianapolis, June 30-July 2;
  • the Engage Training event and National New Church Development conference sponsored by Evangelism and Church Growth;
  • an additional position at the Presbyterian United Nations Office in New York and new and expanded programs at the Office of Public Witness in Washington, DC, the Presbyterian Hunger Program and Self-Development of People ― all programs of Compassion, Peace and Justice;
  • additional International Health programs and expanded Young Adult Volunteer and National Volunteers programs in World Mission;
  • the Women of Color Consultation next fall, sponsored by Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministries; and
  • additional communications work in Communications and Funds Development.

2012 budget increases will also help fund the Independent Abuse Review Panel, a “Decade of the Child” initiative, World Mission’s Education Training Events office and the International Volunteers office.