Gifts from South Carolina Baptist churches through the Cooperative Program rebounded in April, eliminating most of an 8.65 percent shortfall posted in the first quarter of 2013.
Receipts of $2,815,559 in April pushed churches’ year-to-date CP giving to $9,324,360, or 1.85 percent below budgeted needs, according to information released by Pam Carroll, chief financial officer for the South Carolina Baptist Convention.
Jim Austin, SCBC executive director-treasurer, said the April giving report is a “clear indication” that South Carolina Baptists have an “ongoing commitment to the wide array of worthy mission opportunities funded through this most effective and efficient channel.”
He said South Carolina Baptists have remained faithful to mission giving through the Cooperative Program “year after year.”
At the national level, year-to-date Cooperative Program contributions are 0.09 percent above the budgeted goal and 3.82 percent behind contributions received during the same time frame last year.
“While we are grateful for every dollar we receive through the Cooperative Program, I long to see the day when our SBC entities are funded at 21st-century levels of ministry need,” said Frank Page, SBC Executive Committee president and CEO.