By LARRY PURCELL
I grew up in a cooperating Southern Baptist church but like so many, I knew almost nothing about the Cooperative Program (CP). I was amazed and proud when I learned CP had its beginnings at First Baptist Church in Murray.
When my brother and I were young, we were Royal Ambassadors and attended churches where an international missionary spoke. This was always an exciting reminder of the impact of being a Southern Baptist. Looking at the websites of the International Mission Board, North American Mission Board and Kentucky Baptist Convention, you can get a picture of the reality of all that is impacted by giving to the Cooperative Program—missionaries, church planters, disaster relief, church consulting, seminaries, colleges and much more.
When God called me into the ministry, just like so many other pastors, I wanted to know the Bible and be an effective preacher. I valued greater knowledge of the Word and the Lord, so I enrolled in a Bible college. I knew the Lord had called me, and I wanted to sharpen the tools He gave me of mind, heart and competency.
Later in ministry, I was teaching at a Bible college and serving a church as pastor. A mentor of mine, Dr. James Cecil, gave challenged me to complete a doctoral degree. I was intimidated and intrigued at the same time as I began searching for doctoral programs.
I first thought I would go local and secular. Then reality hit me when comparing costs. I compared this to the cost of Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) seminaries and colleges. I discovered SBC schools are generally cheaper and less costly than those outside the SBC. I learned that about 40 percent of the students’ costs at SBC colleges and seminaries are underwritten by the Cooperative Program. This impacted me as I reflected that the small church I was serving helped make this possible. SBC churches with that sweet older lady who gave sacrificially each month to CP were helping prepare pastors and missionaries for gospel ministry.
I was receiving a scholarship from someone who did not know me but shared a passion for equipping missionaries and pastors. I was even prouder and more excited to be a cooperating Southern Baptist church member and pastor.
Smaller churches make up a majority of the Southern Baptist Convention. I can see smaller churches in rural western Kentucky sending faithfully to CP each month. They may not even realize the impact they have in helping prepare missionaries and pastors for more effective gospel ministry at home and around the world.
When I grasped this, I had a greater appreciation for CP, and I sensed a greater responsibility to being a faithful Southern Baptist. All SBC churches supporting CP have the most effective plan for reaching Kentucky and the world for Christ.
I am thankful for the opportunity to earn a Ph.D. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary — I feel a sense of pride being Southern Baptist. A previous generation invested in me through the Cooperative Program. I feel the weight of responsibility to invest in the next generation of ministry leaders by providing regularly and sacrificially through the Cooperative Program as we together reach Kentucky and the world for Christ.
When I hear someone who has attended an SBC college or seminary say they are leaving the SBC and/or not supporting CP, I wonder if they are considering the sacrifice and stewardship of current and previous generations who have given so they can be better equipped and sent to the nations. During the years I served as a college and seminary professor, I reminded classes each semester that — as a Southern Baptist — 40 percent of their cost was covered by a scholarship from people of SBC churches, and the majority were smaller churches and older persons. We have a responsibility to be faithful stewards of the time and opportunities provided by the Lord through His people.
Check out these websites to see the investment you are making in our churches and to the nations through the Cooperative Program.
Kentucky Baptist Convention www.kybaptist.org
North American Mission Board www.namb.net
International Mission Board www.imb.org
Larry Purcell is a regional consultant for the west region of the Kentucky Baptist Convention.
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