Record giving in May drives Cooperative Program giving during first six months

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—Florida Baptist churches gave $20,193,078 through the Cooperative Program during the first six months of 2006, representing a 1.66 percent increase over the $19,863,170 given in 2005.

The amount received from January to June is 2.5 percent over the 2006 Cooperative Program budget needs.

Giving was spurred by six consecutive months of receipts above the $3 million mark for the first time in Convention history. During the month of May, $3.9 million was given by Florida Baptists, setting a new monthly record.

“We are grateful unto God for the faithfulness of Florida Baptists to the missionary enterprise of Southern Baptists,” said John Sullivan, executive director-treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention. “Their commitment makes it possible to go into all the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

“Florida only” funds, given by churches for use within the state, increased by 4.31 percent to $97,543 in 2006 from $93,514 in 2005. However, designated funds, earmarked for special offerings and disaster relief, decreased by 4.3 percent to $9.7 million in 2006 from $10 million in 2005.

Beginning on this page is a summary of 2006 and 2005 Cooperative Program and 2006 miscellaneous gifts received in the state convention office from January through June.

Gifts from “at large” churches are those affiliated with the state convention but not with a local association and are listed by church under the heading “Church at Large.”

Churches are encouraged to check the listing carefully and let the state convention’s Business Services Division know if corrections are needed.

Each church and mission is urged to use the convention remittance report forms when sending gifts to the convention office. Additional forms will be supplied upon request.

Questions related to the report may be addressed to Steve Baumgardner, Business Services Division director, or Sullivan, Florida Baptist Convention, 1230 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32207.