January 13, 1999

BGCT gifts rose on all fronts in 1998
___By Dan Martin
___Texas Baptist Communications
___DALLAS--A strong showing in December pushed 1998 contributions through the Texas Baptist Cooperative Program to 4.2 percent above budget and almost a percent ahead of last year.
___Contributions from congregations affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas amounted to $70,858,803 as of year-end, according to Roger Hall, BGCT chief financial officer.
___That is 4.2 percent ahead of the budget of $68 million and 0.9 percent ahead of 1997 contributions of $70.25 million.
___"An increase in every giving category in a year of drought and flood! What a terrific testimony of God's grace and the faithfulness of God's people" commented BGCT Executive Director William Pinson. "The BGCT family is indeed blessed."
___Pinson and Hall noted that giving in every category--including all the special offerings--showed increases in 1998.
___Total missions giving, which includes gifts through the Cooperative Program and to the five designated offerings, totaled $98,247,017, up 1.3 percent ($1.3 million) from the $96.95 million given during 1997.
___Gifts in December to the unified giving plan were $6,847,286, or 20.8 percent ($1.18 million) over the budget of $5.67 million. December giving also was 5.1 percent over 1997 receipts.
___Giving fell below budget in five months of 1998--February, March, May, August and November--primarily due to calendar timing, Hall said. During the other seven months, giving surpassed budget, including a 29.4 percent increase in January.
___Here are the final totals for each of the five special offerings supported by the BGCT:
___ Mary Hill Davis Texas Missions: $5,363,933, up 0.2 percent ($8,082) over last year.
___ Lottie Moon International Missions: $14,424,536, up 2.1 percent ($292,225).
___ Global Missions: $748,937, up 68.5 percent ($304,337).
___ Annie Armstrong North American Missions: $5,987,335, up 0.9 percent ($52,382).
___ World Hunger: $863,473, up 4.1 percent ($33,674).
___Of the total Cooperative Program giving, distributions were made according to the votes of messengers attending the 1997 annual meeting which adopted the budget: $45,989,139, or 64.9 percent of the total, was retained for Texas causes, while $24,869,673 was sent to support worldwide causes, including $22,664,919 through the Southern Baptist Convention.

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