“We believe in the Cooperative Program, and I believe that in giving to the Cooperative Program we are investing in the next generation,” Westbrook said.
“What better way to invest in the next generation of those campers who came through Seneca Lake over the decades, that are now planting our churches, studying in our seminary campuses, and preparing to go to the nations. What better way to re-invest in the sale of that camp than the Cooperative Program.”
Just before Westbrook came to the stage for the announcement, Willie McLaurin, interim president and CEO of the SBC EC, finished out his plenary speech by extoling the importance of state convention partnerships in CP giving.
“Our state conventions are our primary partners in Cooperative Program education and promotion, and God is working through state convention partnerships,” McLaurin said.
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“I spent 15 years of my ministry encouraging cooperation among the churches of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, and I’m thrilled to report to you that we are on track to have the largest Cooperative Program Giving year since 2008.”
Westbrook closed out his comments by challenging churches to prioritize financial generosity.
“We should not shrink back from demonstrating financial generosity to get the Gospel across the street and around the world,” Westbrook said. “This is not the time to shrink back. This is the time to lean in. This is not the time to put a question mark after the Cooperative Program, it’s time to put an exclamation point.
“We’re not just better together, we’re stronger together and we must cooperate together.”
This article originally appeared at Baptist Press.
