Cooperative Program gifts continue to rise

Cooperative Program gifts continue to rise

By Bob Baysinger
Managing Editor

August 12, 2003

JEFFERSON CITY – Cooperative Program giving continued to show signs of strength in July.

CP giving for the year increased to $9,408, 018. The total represents a 0.29 percent increase from the amount given during the first six months of 2002 ($9,380,675), according to Mike Dennis, Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Cooperative Program specialist.

"The 2003 cumulative compared to the 2003 budget is down 7.44 percent," Dennis said, "but it is certainly an encouraging figure when looking at other aspects of the July report.

"CP contributions for the month of July were $179,342 above July 2002 contributions. This is a 12.33 percent increase for the same month last year," he noted.

July marked the sixth consecutive month giving has topped the total of the corresponding month in 2002. Dennis described the trend as encouraging.

"Missouri Baptists have been very supportive toward mission causes despite the adverse weather conditions in many parts of the state during the first couple of months of the year, devastating storms in early May, and the overall economy.

"A Barna Report indicated that the proportion of Christian adults who tithe has dropped by 62 percent in the past year. Historically, when Missouri Baptists see a need, they respond."