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April 22 is Cooperative Program Day in the Southern Baptist Convention. This is an excellent time to share with your congregation about how we work together through combining our financial resources. Let me share with you some of the personal involvement you have through the Cooperative Program.
Over 100,000 evangelistic packets were delivered to homes in the McAllen area. The packets had the gospel in Spanish and English. More than 2,300 people attended a special outreach effort in the State Farm Arena. Four-hundred-three precious people filled out cards saying they prayed to receive Christ. There were many adults and entire families who came to Christ. Pastor Loui Canchola of Cornerstone Church reports that existing churches are following up on those who made decisions. Plans are being made to start new churches as well. You have a part in all that God is doing through the Cooperative Program.
Texas is a multi-cultural mosaic. Extreme Teams are going into the major cities of Texas to reach ethno-linguistic people groups. Over 100,000 East Indians live in the Lone Star State. Refugees from around the world resettle here. For security reasons, I can’t give you the names of some of the SBTC missionaries working among the Muslim, Hindu and Buddhists here. But you are having a part in their work through the Cooperative Program.
Churches like North Euless Baptist Church want to move from a plateau to a growth trajectory. They are beginning to see God’s blessings again because of the workable plan they receive through the Ezekiel Project. Scores of churches come back strong to reach their communities with the gospel when they get evaluation and direction. The Cooperative Program makes this possible.
Students at Criswell College, like Bethany, get a portion of their education paid through the SBTC. She is learning on-the-job training through an internship with the convention. Young men and women are ready to contribute in ministry. Your church has a part in preparing people for ministry through the Cooperative Program.
The churches of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention send their Cooperative Program gifts with a desire to see the Kingdom of God advance. Forty-five percent of the SBTC Cooperative Program is invested in Texas. Your SBTC staff is doing more with less in Texas so others in North America and around the world may hear the name of Jesus.
Fifty-five percent of Cooperative Program giving goes to the Southern Baptist Convention. About 5,000 international missionaries are penetrating lostness around the world. Southern Baptist missions have been the envy of other denominations and para-church organizations for decades.
David and Peggy are reaching the unreached and engaging the unengaged in South Asia. They are on the field because of our funding system, the Cooperative Program. They have a safety net most independent missionaries do not have. You are holding the rope while they go over the edge.
The North American Mission Board is transitioning to a major focus on church planting. The areas with the least evangelical presence are the places where the efforts are focused. Chuy and Maria Avila have shown what working together can accomplish. They are SBTC/NAMB missionaries in Laredo. New churches have been started and existing churches have been strengthened. You make their ministry possible through the Cooperative Program.
Fifteen thousand seminary students receive a quality biblical education at a reduced cost because of the CP. Every church that gives through the Cooperative Program is investing in the lives of God-called servants.
The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission speaks to Southern Baptists and for Southern Baptists on social, moral and first amendment issues. We desperately need this voice for the life of the unborn and for marriage between a man and woman. Freedom to practice our beliefs in the public square is a major assignment funded through the Cooperative Program.
The Executive Committee is the administrative arm of the SBC. It operates on a minimal part of CP contributions. All of these SBC ministries are a part of the Cooperative Program story. Real people make up those stories.
Percentage giving in the local church budget through the Cooperative Program is the best way to participate. The local church decides how much should be forwarded to Texas and Southern Baptist causes. I ask you to consider the genius of the Cooperative Program, which is undesignated giving.
Giving and Going is the balance. Local churches are doing more “hands-on” missions than ever before. It is commendable to involve church staff and members in direct missions. Funds should be directed to underwrite these efforts. I would encourage churches to continue to send their gifts through the Cooperative Program. Reducing CP giving will have an unintended consequence on SBTC/SBC missionaries and ministries. Hands-on missions and hands-on giving through the CP are complementary, not in competition.
You have heard how the Cooperative Program can be personalized by the stories in my column. These are real live people who minister because of your gifts through the CP. There are literally thousands of stories that could be told about how the Cooperative Program is a tool that advances the Kingdom of God. No church is so large that it can reach Texas or touch the world by itself. No church is too small that it can’t have a part in a great work for God that impacts millions of lives.
Your church recently received a packet of information about Cooperative Program Day, April 22. I ask you to share with your church how we can Reach Texas and Touch the World together. It is important that the people in the pew understand the Cooperative Program. Years ago someone said that denominational leaders made a “sacred cow” out of the Cooperative Program. It is not a sacred cow but it is a “sacred how.” God has used the CP to build a platform like no other for the furtherance of the gospel. Please share with your congregation the most unique networking tool available for carrying out the Great Commission. Tell them the stories of the Cooperative Program. Join with others through the CP in Reaching Texas and Touching the World.
