by Terry Barone

FRESNO - California Southern Baptists' giving to special mission offerings was almost unparalleled in 2007, while giving to the Cooperative Program, Southern Baptists' unified giving plan for missions and evangelism, fell short of the budgeted amount.

California Southern Baptists gave $1.91 million, the largest amount ever, to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering to support international missions, while also giving the second highest amounts ever for North American missions and the California Mission Offering.

However, gifts to the state convention's Cooperative Program (CP) totaled $7.78 million, or 93.6 percent of the objective for 2007.

Nearly $172,000 was designated for disaster relief ministries in 2007; mission causes through CSBC received more than $11.1 million.

"We celebrate the gifts given to reach the world with the message of Jesus during the past year," said Fermin A. Whittaker, CSBC executive director. "I applaud those churches and their members who continue to believe in and see the value of supporting mission endeavors here in California and around the world."

Gifts to the Lottie Moon offering totaled $1,916,848, a $365,472 or 23.6 percent, increase over the 2006 total of $1,551,376.

An increase also was recorded in gifts to the California Mission Offering in 2007 over 2006. CMO gifts totaled $436,777, a $5,899 increase or 1.4 percent, over the 2006 total of $430,878.

While the two mission offerings recorded gains, gifts to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for 2007 fell $93,308, a decrease of 10.3 percent from the 2006 total of $906,819.

CP receipts for 2007 totaled $7,782,294, or 93.6 percent, of the $8,316,471 objective, a shortfall of $534,177 or 6.4 percent. In comparison to CP gifts received in 2006, the 2007 total was down $234,981, or 2.9 percent.

According to Dennis Schmierer, CSBC business services group leader, the more than $500,000 shortfall in 2007 "impacted CSBC Executive Board ministries by $304,481. Because of the way Cooperative Program dollars are distributed, the remainder of the shortfall impacted the ministries of the Southern Baptist Convention and its boards and agencies, California Baptist Foundation and California Baptist University."

Schmierer said any shortfall in spending over income for 2007 will be adjusted using accumulated reserves. He also noted the figures have not been audited, but doesn't expect the numbers to change significantly.

Mike McCullough, CSBC associate executive director and leader of CP ministries promotion, said, "We knew the economy was slowing down in 2007 and we did not increase the CP objective for 2008. We believe the $8.3 million objective is achievable as California Southern Baptists remain focused on ministries aimed at reaching the world in California."

He added the Executive Board staff is "committed to living within our means and will adjust our budgets and spending plans during the year as needed to operate within our income."

McCullough challenged churches to remain focused on the world missions impact of CP ministries.

"The need to share the gospel with the millions in California, the United States and around the world who need Jesus is as clear today as ever.

"I trust God to provide the needed resources in order to fulfill the mission He has given us."