ALEXANDRIA – Louisiana Baptists have positioned themselves for a strong and potentially fruitful 2015 according to Louisiana Baptists Executive Director David Hankins.
“As a whole, Louisiana Baptists continue to believe in and support our cooperative approach to missions and ministries in Louisiana and beyond,” said Hankins. “I am blessed and encouraged by the faithfulness of God’s people and God’s churches.”
Louisiana Baptists finished the first quarter of missions and ministry in 2015 with a 3.63percent increase in Cooperative Program gifts versus 2014.
CP gifts received January through March of 2015 totaled $5,522,569.46 which is 6 percent ahead of the year-to-date budget.
Hankins believes the strong first quarter giving report is an indication that churches are affirming their desire to work together for the sake of the Great Commission and the 2020 challenge to strengthen our efforts for the cause of Christ.
“I can assure Louisiana Baptists the Children’s Home, Louisiana College, State Missions Services and other Louisiana Baptists enterprises appreciate the faithfulness of the churches and will wisely utilize these gifts in the days ahead as each carries out their ministry assignments,” Hankins said.
CP gifts fuel missions and ministries throughout Louisiana as well as supporting North American missions, international missions and theological education through six Southern Baptist Seminaries.
Hankins noted the need in Louisiana has never been greater.
“In a culture that appears increasingly resistant to God’s truth, CP provides a clear, constant and comprehensive approach that allows congregations large and small to expand their missions endeavors” Hankins continued.
Nationally, Cooperative program giving also increased by 2.9 percent.
“This report marks the first time since 2008 that CP contributions have increased over the previous fiscal year’s mid-point, according to Frank Page, President of the SBC Executive Committee. “This the highest mid-year total since March 2012 and should drive us to our knees in gratitude to God and is truly a cause for celebration.”
The Cooperative Program is Southern Baptists channel of giving through which a local church is able to contribute to the ministries of its state convention and to the missions and ministries of the Southern Baptist Convention with a single contribution through its state convention.
