In the midst of a sagging national economy, South Carolina Baptists gave more than $50.4 million in total missions gifts in 2008, an increase of nearly 1 percent over 2007.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering gifts were up more than 3 percent, and Cooperative Program gifts were $33,645,960, representing an increase of $167,192 over the previous year, but giving fell short of expectations for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering and the Janie Chapman State Missions Offering, where receipts were below 2007 levels.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering gifts were $9,380,088, representing a $277,336 increase over 2007. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering supports the International Mission Board’s overseas missionaries.

The Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American missions received $3,836,180 in 2008 from South Carolina churches, representing a $50,463 (1.3 percent) decrease compared to 2007 giving.

The Janie Chapman State Missions Offering, through South Carolina Woman’s Missionary Union, received $1,807,104 in 2008, which represented a decrease of $128,344 (6.63 percent) compared to 2007 giving.

The 2008 South Carolina Baptist Convention budget goal was $33,950,000. The budget is divided into two sections: Cooperative Program Gifts and Cooperative Gifts. Within the Cooperative Program Gift section, churches gave $33,645,960, which was $20,960 more than the budget goal. The Cooperative Program Gift section goal was met on the last business day of 2008 with an overage of $20,960, representing 6/100 of 1 percent. Within the Cooperative Gifts section, churches gave $239,389 toward the $325,000 goal, representing a shortfall of $85,611. Churches making a Cooperative Gift indicate whether the gift is exclusively for the South Carolina Baptist Convention or the Southern Baptist Convention.

The South Carolina Baptist Convention budget goal for 2009 was increased by $300,000, to $34,250,000.

Gary Anderson, director of the Cooperative Program & Stewardship Group of SCBC, said he is grateful that South Carolina Baptists have continued to respond faithfully in their giving.

He said the convention staff is approaching 2009 with “cautious optimism.”

“God’s people will continue to give,” he said. “History has proven that giving weathers economic struggles most of the time.

“A real factor for the current economic crisis will be its length, and no one has any idea,” he added. “Our convention is already making preparation to approach 2009 with caution, and we are seeking ways, by streamlining wherever we can, that will allow our support to our churches not to be reduced.”

Since 1925, the Cooperative Program has supported Southern Baptist initiatives, including the work of state conventions, for sharing the gospel with every person on the planet.