STEVE LOGGINS
Director of Missions, North Jefferson Baptist Association:
Like many raised in Southern Baptist churches, I had little knowledge or appreciation for what Baptists were doing to reach the world. It was when I felt the call to preach and began preparing for the ministry that I really began to understand how Southern Baptist work was accomplished. As a young man, I attended Samford, one of our state Baptist schools, and received scholarship money through the Board of Aid of our state convention. I later attended Southwestern Seminary and was astounded at the low cost of higher education made possible by CP gifts. As I began to understand how Southern Baptists operate on both a local, state, national and international level to educate, propagate and cooperate, I was grateful for a heritage made possible by the Cooperative Program. Southern Baptists are reaching the world for the Lord Jesus Christ because of the vision of our forefathers who saw that giving and working together made it possible to accomplish the task.
May God continue to use us through the Cooperative Program.
THOMAS B. VAUGHN
Director of Missions, Sipsey Baptist Association:
Our team from the Sipsey Baptist Association just returned from Southern Leyte in the Philippines.
Because our people in Sipsey Association worked together we were able to put on a free medical clinic and we joined our team with some people in the Philippines and we witnessed over 200 making professions of faith for the first time. Working together is the best way.
JOHN MARKS SR.
Director of Missions, Central Baptist Association:
To tell all that the Cooperative Program has meant to me would require much more space than possible in this brief column. So I would like to approach this testimony from my perspective as a director of associational missions.
About 22 years ago, after serving as a pastor for 10 years, I felt a definite call to serve as a director of missions. I sincerely believe that one tool God used to accomplish this call for me was the Cooperative Program.
When I surrendered to the ministry 35 years ago, the Lord led me to begin my educational journey at Samford University.
Following college, I received a degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Had it not been for scholarships made possible by the generosity of God’s people through gifts to the Cooperative Program, neither of these accomplishments would have been possible.
Now, in my ministry as a director of missions, the Cooperative Program makes it possible for me to continue my education and enhance personal leadership skills.
Both the Alabama Baptist State Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention continue to make use of Cooperative Program funds to provide these continuing education opportunities through workshops, conferences and training events in the local, state and national levels.
Also, as a director of missions, it gives me great joy to encourage the churches with whom I serve to contribute to the ministry of missions through the Cooperative Program.
I know of no other plan ordained by God that reaches as many people worldwide with the gospel of Jesus.
I am indeed grateful for the impact that the Cooperative Program has had on my ministry. I am convinced that it will continue to do so for me and for many others as God continues to bless this inspired program.
KEVIN LANIER
Minister of Music and Youth, Sixth Street Baptist Church, Alexander City:
In 1978, I was accepted as a student at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. Without CP dollars, I would have never been able to go. Thanks to Southern Baptists and the Cooperative Program.
DUSTY McLEMORE
Senior Pastor, Lindsay Lane Baptist Church, Athens:
I’m thankful for the CP for several reasons. First, it’s the greatest avenue for sharing the good news with millions of people than any other entity known. Supporting so many missionaries at one time in a cooperative manner spreads the word of God to many across the globe.
I’ve personally benefited from CP giving, in that when I first became pastor of the Lindsay Lane Baptist Church, the state convention supplied our church with a supplementary salary for the pastor to help until we could get stationary in growth.
They provided $400 per month for approximately eight months until the congregation grew to support their bivocational pastor.
We’ve tried to return the support to help other pastors in similar situations.
The CP has benefited many pastors and churches through education, financial help, church training, etc.
Thanks to all who involve themselves in a cooperative effort to reach people for Christ.
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