Cooperative Program (CP) giving in the 2003–04 fiscal year reached a record level, increasing more than 3.64 percent, compared to a 0.48 percent increase recorded in 2002–03.
For the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, receipts to the CP totaled $189,865,254.85, an increase of $6,663,560.71 over the 2002–03 amount of $183,201,694.14 and the largest increase since the 1999–2000 fiscal year. For the month, CP receipts of $13,395,514.98 were 5.35 percent, or $756,968.20, below the $14,152,483.18 received in September 2003.
Designated giving for fiscal year 2003-04 totaled $189,010,267.59, 13.87 percent, or $23,024,301.02, above gifts of $165,985,966.57 received for 2002–03. The $3,773,096.70 in designated gifts received last month is $654,052.07 above the $3,119,044.63 of September 2003, a 20.97 percent increase.
In releasing the end-of-year figures for 2003–04, Morris H. Chapman, president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee, thanked Southern Baptists for the marked increase in giving to support SBC causes.
“We are thankful for the increases in missions giving by Southern Baptists this year both through the Cooperative Program and the special missions offerings,” he said.
“The 19.65 percent growth in Lottie Moon receipts is especially noteworthy and, I believe, is an indication of our churches’ heart for missions. The 3.64 percent increase in CP is the highest in four years.”
Combined, CP giving and designated gifts of $378,875,522.44 for the year were up $29,687,861.73, or 8.50 percent, above the combined $349,187,660.71 received in 2002–03. For the SBC CP allocation budget, receipts of $189,865,254,85 were 104.14 percent of $182,323,110.00 budgeted, or $7,542,144.85 more to support Southern Baptist ministries globally and across North America.
The CP total includes receipts from individuals, churches, state conventions and fellowships for distribution according to the 2003–04 CP allocation budget. (BP)
Share with others: