Alabama Baptists sent a strong signal of their support for the Cooperative Program (CP) in 1999, with gifts exceeding the base budget by more than $350,000.
Messengers to the 1998 Alabama Baptist Convention (ABSC), approved a base budget of $36,018,660 and challenge budget of $37,099,220 for 1999. The State Board of Missions (SBOM) reported actual giving for the past year was $36,382,706.
"Alabama Baptists are both generous and faithful in their support of the Cooperative Program," said Rick Lance, executive director of the SBOM. "In exceeding the 1999 Cooperative Program base budget by more than $350,000, they have made a clear statement about their support for cooperative missions and ministries."
For 2000, Baptists have set goals of $37 million for the base budget and a challenge budget of $38 million. Both budgets include almost $1 million more than the 1998 budgets.
Lance said the totals are a reflection of strong giving throughout the last decade.
"During the 1990s, Alabama Baptists have strongly supported the Cooperative Program," he said. "Thanks to the careful efforts of a wide range of Alabama Baptist leaders, we’ve avoided the sharp divisions experienced in other states."
Discussing ways CP money is used, Lance pointed to state missionaries that are available for on-site resources and assistance for churches in areas of ministry including Sunday School, discipleship training, worship leadership and church music, evangelism and stewardship.
"We want Alabama Baptists to understand that these visits to local churches and associations are provided as a result of our CP contributions," Lance said. "Our staff does not expect an honorarium when they visit a local church or association in their area of ministry."
Lance said such services are paid for by contributions to the CP.
Cooperative Program funds are also used for the SBOM’s mobile chapel ministry. Lance said 35 chapels are available to Alabama Baptist congregations for use in starting churches and missions as well as following natural disasters.
"A key outreach of today that will have a tremendous impact on the future are our Baptist Collegiate Ministries centers and ministers," he said.
Lance said the SBOM employs 19 full-time collegiate ministers who share Christ with and disciple college students across the state.
"Alabama Baptists have taken seriously both the mandate of the Great Commission and the unique value of the Cooperative Budget," Lance said. "By praying together and pooling our financial resources, we reach more people than we ever would otherwise."
Saying the CP is alive and well in Alabama, Lance stressed it should never be taken for granted.
"All of the resources are devoted to Great Commission ministries – in other words, missions and ministries designed to reach the state and the world for Christ," he said.
Commenting on the importance of continued support, Lance said it is crucial for Baptists to work as a team.
"Together, we can accomplish things we could never accomplish separately," he said.
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