Cooperative Program giving 2.52% over last year                                   

                                                                                                                            Vol. XVI, No. 5, May 2004

After six months, year-to-date contributions through the Southern Baptist Convention's Cooperative Program (CP) are up 2.52% compared to the same time frame in 2003, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Morris H. Chapman. The SBC operates on an Oct. 1-Sept. 30 fiscal year.

As of March 31, 2004, the year-to-date total of $95,454,885 for CP Missions is $2,342,113 ahead of the $93,112,772 received at this same point in 2003. For the month, receipts of $15,115,122 were 6.46%, or $917,636, above the $14,197,486 received in March 2003.

Designated giving of $118,115,455 for the same year-to-date period is 16.10%, or $16,383,568 above gifts of $101,731,887 received at this point in 2003. The $24,362,332 in designated gifts received last month is $5,940,755 above the $18,421,577 of March 2003, a 32.25% increase.

In Virginia, so far this year the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia (with about 417 churches) have given$1,886,354 to the CP, an increase of 28.91%, while the Baptist General Association of Virginia (with some 1,440 churches) has contributed $1,061,718 ... a decrease of 20.82%. BGAV churches have given $3,135,564 in designated gifts, a 4.86% decrease, while SBCV churches donated $1,877,830 an increase of 20.35%.

In the only other state with two conventions, Texas, the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, the conservatives with approximately 1,400 churches, gave CP gifts of $4,674,394 or plus 12.97%. The Baptist General Convention of Texas with 4,000+ churches gave $6,307,089 or plus 13.68%. In the designated category, BGCT churches sent in $11,725,423 for a 1.04% increase, and SBCV churches designated $6,358,033 for an increase of 84.35%. [BP]