STATESBORO, Ga. — Georgia Baptists adopted last week a 2025 budget that calls for more than $62 million to be given through the Cooperative Program and other offerings. That money, a 2.5% increase over the current year, will fund gospel-sharing efforts around the world, across the nation, and throughout the state.
The Cooperative Program, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025, is the primary means through which Southern Baptists support missionaries and ministries at the state, national, and global levels.
Addressing messengers at the 202nd annual meeting of the GBC at First Baptist Statesboro, David Melber, chief operating officer for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, said, “The number for the Cooperative Program for next year is an increase over this year… You may not realize but across the SBC to be projecting an increase in CP dollars is a testimony to something only the Lord can do. And only He gets the credit for that!”
The annual budget, which was overwhelmingly approved, totals $62,908,500. Of that, more than half — $34,177,000 — will be from the Cooperative Program.
Steve Browning, chairman of the Financial Services Committee and newly elected president of the Georgia Baptist Convention, offered Melber a special word of thanks “for the incredible work he has done among Georgia Baptists these last several years.” Browning said, “We will forever remember how you have served this convention well through some difficult days. We are where we are today because the Lord has used you in this manner.” Melber will be leaving the GBMB to take on the role of CEO of Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH) of North Carolina.
GBMB Executive Director W. Thomas Hammond, Jr., said, “I am grateful for the generosity of Georgia Baptists and their willingness to partner with fellow believers to reach our state, our nation, and our world for Christ.”
The overall total also includes financial gifts from Georgia churches to the Lottie Moon offering for international missions and the Annie Armstrong offering for North American missions. Those special offerings are expected to generate nearly $17 million for international missions and over $9.1 million for North American missions.
The budget provides $13.7 million for the Southern Baptist Convention and more than $26.5 million for the GBMB. Of the GBMB portion, more than $5.4 million has been allocated for church strengthening, $2.5 million for pastor wellness, $3.2 million for Baptist Collegiate Ministries, and $1.4 million for Mission Georgia.
The budget affirmed Tuesday also designates nearly $1.4 million for each of the three Georgia Baptist higher education schools, Shorter University, Brewton-Parker College, and Truett McConnell University.
