RICHMOND, Va. -- After hearing how the International Mission Board was falling short in efforts to meet budget projections, a group of children came up with a simple solution to the problem.

Baptist Press reported a class of 8-and 9-year-old "missionary kids" at the IMB's Missionary Learning Center determined if each of 16 million Southern Baptist church members gave a dollar, the result would more than make up the $10 million shortfall that forced missionary cutbacks.

The 19 second-and third-graders started the collection themselves and challenged other youngsters in the school to help. As a result, the 63 students at the center raised more than $100.

Their sensitivity and understanding was not lost on the adults at the school.

"Their idea really shows how aware they are of the need," said Kathy Eaton, the teacher for the second- and third-grade class. "The children didn't just want to take care of the shortfall. They were worried about the lack of missionaries going out and want to send even more missionaries with the surplus money that could be raised."

In June, IMB announced it would cut the number of new workers being sent overseas in 2003 and 2004. It also eliminated 61 full- and part-time stateside staff positions.

The cuts were necessary because the 2002 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering fell almost $10 million short of its $125 million goal, according to news reports at the time.

About 100 candidates for long-term missionary careers this year have been deferred to next year or put on hold, BP reported. The number of new short-term personnel will be reduced by 30 percent.