Alabama Baptists set CP giving record in 2005

The numbers are in, the books are closed and it’s official — Alabama Baptists gave a record $42,832,989 through the Cooperative Program (CP) in 2005.
   
Giving exceeded the challenge budget goal of $42,500,000 by $332,989. The base budget goal of $41,500,000 was exceeded by 2.22 percent, or $921,069.
   
The numbers are within a few dollars of what Bobby DuBois, associate executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, estimated in a report in the Jan. 12 issue of The Alabama Baptist.
   
“Because of the faithful support of Alabama Baptists, we exceeded the 2005 CP Challenge Budget,” DuBois said, noting 2,693 churches contributed through the CP in Alabama in 2005 compared to 2,679 in 2004.
   
Gifts to disaster relief also hit an all-time high in Alabama in 2005 with $3,484,898. Alabama Baptists set the previous record in 2004 with $821,840 given to disaster relief.
   
Giving to other special offerings did not fare as well, however. 
   
The World Hunger Fund received $705,603 in 2005, which was nearly $32,000 less than was given in 2004.
   
The Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries received $2,327,299 in 2005 compared to $2,377,262 in 2004.
   
State Baptists gave $5,197,550 to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering in 2005 but gave $5,352,772 in 2004.
   
The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (LMCO) receipts totaled $10,519,375 in 2005. This was a little more than $425,000 less than was given in 2004.
   
But LMCO giving trends cannot be truly accessed until after the 2006 books are closed, officials noted. Giving to the LMCO for 2005 is counted through Dec. 31, 2005, but many churches don’t send in their monetary gifts coming from the December promotion until after the first of the year. Those gifts will be counted toward the 2006 LMCO, so a comparison of 2005 and 2006 will give a better picture of LMCO giving.
   
Receipts for the 2005 CP State Causes Budget also fell below the budget of $500,000 with $411,920 given. This is down from $513,595 given in 2004. Money given through the state causes budget is for instate use only. (TAB)