May 3, 2024
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Georgia Baptists are projected to give nearly $59.6 million through the Cooperative Program and special offerings to fund myriad initiatives aimed at shining the light of the gospel within the state, across the nation and around the world.
That total includes financial gifts to the Lottie Moon offering for international missions and the Annie Armstrong offering for North American missions, which are expected to generate $16.5 million and $9.3 million respectively.
“What we’re seeing is the incredible generosity of Georgia Baptists who are committed to working together to share the good news of Christ with the world,” said Georgia Baptist Mission Board Executive Director W. Thomas Hammond Jr.
Messengers to the Georgia Baptist Convention’s annual meeting approved a $41.2 million Cooperative Program budget on Tuesday as presented by the Mission Board's chief financial officer, David Melber. The budget includes nearly $10 million for colleges and seminaries, including $3.2 million for Georgia’s Brewton-Parker College, Shorter University and Truett McConnell University. More than $6.1 million will be used for community and compassion ministries. And $3.7 million will be used for Baptist Collegiate Ministries.
Messengers came together at Warren Baptist Church in Augusta on Sunday for the three-day gathering that included a send-off for the newest crop of international missionaries, a pastor’s preaching conference, and a general business meeting at which the Cooperative Program budget was presented.
For the Georgia Baptist causes, Melber said the budget divvies $19.2 million in Cooperative Program funding among more than 100 line items, including more than $4.2 million for church strengthening, $2 million for pastor wellness, $1 million for Woman’s Missionary Union initiatives, $360,000 for Disaster Relief, $430,000 for Baptist Mobile Health, and $335,000 for church planting.
Another $12.8 million in Cooperative Program will be passed on to the Southern Baptist Convention to help fund national and international ministries.
“Georgia Baptists are giving sacrificially for the cause of Christ,” Hammond said. “Because of their giving, countless souls are being saved at home and abroad, 3,600 international missionaries are serving in nations around the world, young preachers are being prepared for ministry, churches are being planted and strengthened, pastors encouraged, and lives are being transformed.”
