Louisville—Cooperative Program gifts dipped slightly during the month of March, leaving the fund behind budget for the 2007-2008 fiscal year.

According to Lowell Ashby, Kentucky Baptist Convention’s business services team leader, March CP receipts totaled $1,718,980. Churches have given a total of $13,561,020 through March, which leaves total CP receipts $438,980 (3.1 percent) behind budget, he said. This as the Eliza Broadus Offering recently reached the $1 million mark for the first time in its 95-year history.

“It’s appropriate to celebrate Eliza Broadus becoming a millionaire because it demonstrates the impact of Kentucky Baptists’ generosity,” said Billy Compton, KBC’s executive associate for Cooperative Program and resources. “The challenge for all of us is to express that same generosity through the Cooperative Program, as it provides 90 percent of the KBC’s budgeted funds for ministries and missions.”

Ashby noted that $10,438,980 is needed throughout the remainder of the fiscal year in order to meet budgeted projections. For that to be achieved, at least $2,087,796 would need to be received from KBC churches in each of the remaining five months.

CP totals have remained behind the $24 million budget throughout the entire 2007-2008 fiscal year, Ashby added.

While giving is less than expected for the current fiscal year, the $13,561,020 received to date is $231,125 (1.7 percent) more than the $13,329,895 received over the same period in the 2006-2007 fiscal year, he acknowledged.

“We are short of the budget goal, but the 1.7 percent received above the same period last year is a positive trend,” Compton noted. “The budget goal is still within reach as our churches provide their timely and generous giving to CP. Many churches are continuing to experience the enormous impact of CP giving in connecting people to Christ.”