These statements are designed to assist the pastor or church leader in demonstrating the measurable acts of ministry associated with the Cooperative Program.

1. Note: This resource has been provided by LifeWay Envelope Service. For more
information about our Cooperative Program Offering Envelope series and how LifeWay
Envelope Service can help you tell the people in your pews about the measurable acts of
ministry funded by the Cooperative Program, please call 1.800.874.6319, e-mail
envelopeservice@lifeway.com, or visit us online at
www.lifewaystores.com/envelopeservice.
Cooperative Program Offering Envelope Series
"Every Number Has a Story"
Offertory Moments
Calendar Year 2009
January
4 – As we begin this New Year, know that your faithful giving impacts men, women, and
children in North America who may not be celebrating this occasion. Through your tithes
and gifts, Southern Baptists hunger ministries served more than 3.5 million meals across
North America in 2007. In difficult economic times like these, it is incumbent on the
body of Christ to care for those in need, showing the world the power of the Gospel at
work in us.
11 – Your love for the Lord and your faithful obedience in giving your tithes and
offerings has a direct impact on evangelism through the efforts of 2,778 endorsed
Southern Baptist chaplains. The tireless service of military and medically-based chaplains
around the world led 9,954 people to a new relationship with Christ last year.
18 – Today is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. 1.5 million babies are aborted every
year. Your faithful giving provides valuable alternatives for women and families by
empowering ministries that uphold life as a precious gift of God to be valued and
cherished.
25 – Matthew 5:14-16 reminds us that, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill
cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they
put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your
light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in
heaven.” However, according to Ed Stetzer, Director of LifeWay research, 89% of our
churches are making no measurable impact on those without Christ. May we press ahead,
through faithful giving and Christ-like living, toward the goal of being salt and light in
this world!
February

2. 1 – The future, of our church, our country, and the leadership of our world is the Young
Adult generation, those ages 18-29. Sadly, almost 25% of this group claim no religious
affiliation. As we bring our tithes and offerings before the Lord today, let us pray they
will provide the opportunity and the resources to develop new ways to impact this
strategic portion of our society.
8 – The familiar song, Jesus Loves the Little Children says, “Red and Yellow, Black and
White, they are precious in His sight...” Today is Racial Reconciliation Sunday.
Through our faithful giving we participated in the establishment of over 800 ethnic and
African-American churches last year. May we continue to give knowing that we are all
created in the image and likeness of God.
15 – Statistically speaking, only 5% of adults in the US tithe regularly. That means 95%
are missing out on the blessings God has promised to provide for His children. As we
worship through our giving remember, according to scripture, all we have comes from
the Lord and we give, not from our excess, but from the first fruits of what He provides.
22 - Thank you for your faithful giving that enables us to worship in this place each
week. Also, thank you on behalf of needy families from inner cities across the country.
Your giving, when combined with gifts from other churches, assisted in the restoration of
over 12,000 inner city homes since 1990.
March
1 – In this day and time it is important for us to Live with Urgency. Statistics tell us that
7,200 people die each hour of every day. Most of these people die without a personal
relationship with a loving Savior. Our North American Mission Board has set aside this
week as the Week of Prayer & Mission Study for North American missions. In addition
to your regular tithes, your faithful support of the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering
helps spread the saving message of the Gospel to all corners of the United States.
8 – As we conclude the Week of Prayer & Mission Study for North American missions
we’ve learned we need to live with urgency and share the love of Christ with those
around us who have eyes, but they don’t see and ears but they don’t hear. They are
spiritually dead. Our regular and faithful giving undergirds the ministries of our
congregation and our commitment to reaching people through the Cooperative Program
and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, enables us to impact those who need the
touch of the living God.
15 – A survey of parents revealed that 16% of them believe that substance abuse is the
most significant or challenging issue facing their teenagers. Today is Substance Abuse
Prevention Sunday. Your faithful giving assists ministries that provide lifesaving
alternatives, not only for local youth, but programs and materials that help change
teenagers lives around the country every day. As we live with urgency and give
faithfully, we can help protect our greatest natural resources, our children.

3. 22 –We give gratitude to God for his ongoing multiplication of our tithes and offerings
around the world. Thanks in part to our participation in the Cooperative Program and the
Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, 73 new churches are started by Southern Baptist
missionaries and partners every day around the world. Continue to pray about what God
is calling you to give to provide opportunities for others to hear the Gospel. Our giving
reflects our commitment to live with urgency.
29 – Surprisingly, 71% of un-churched people surveyed said that Christians they
know don’t talk about their beliefs. God, speaking through the Psalmist says, “Let
the redeemed of the LORD say so” Psalms 107:2 (KJV). God asks us not to
only faithfully give of our income, but to be His voice in the world as well.
April
5 – Because of our faithful giving we have a direct impact on the training and equipping
of future pastors, missionaries and other ministry leaders that are currently being trained
in our six Southern Baptist Seminaries. It’s exciting to know that through our gifts we’re
making an investment with eternal returns.
12 – In an economy in which Americans spend $1.26 for every $1 earned, it is imperative
that we give faithfully and stay within what God provides. Doing so not only shows good
stewardship, but also provides a witness to those around us that God is the giver of “our
daily bread.”
19 – Today is Life Commitment Sunday a day set aside not only to give thanks for your
own commitment to Christ, but to prayerfully consider how your life serves as a witness
to those who do not know Christ. Statistics tell us that 54% of all baptisms occur before
the age of 18. As you worship by giving your tithes this morning, prayerfully consider
how you might recommit yourself to share the grace and mercy you have experienced
through Christ with others.
26 – It’s been said “you can do things I cannot do and I can do things you cannot do. But
together, we can do great things.” Today is Cooperative Program Sunday across our
convention – a day where we celebrate and give thanks for the fruits of our cooperative
missions and ministries. Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this all men will know that you are
my disciples, if you love one another." As we partner with sister churches with a portion
of our gifts, we are putting love in action and bringing the message of Christ to the world.
May
3 – Moses instructed the Israelites to “rise in the presence of the elderly and honor the
old” Lev. 19:32 (HCSB). This morning is Senior Adult Sunday, a day set aside to
recognize the faithful giving and service of our Senior Adults. The heritage and tradition
represented in their lives and the ministry of our “older saints” model what commitment
to God looks like through both the joys and challenges of life.

4. 10 – Last year 1,478 high school and college students stepped out in faith and
participated in short-term missions. Our tithes and offerings support our own students and
assist others in serving God around the world. God desires to use all of us. The question
is are we usable?
17 – The North American Mission Board estimates that 75% of the U.S. population does
not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Our gifts, combined with our
consistent witness, are both necessary to reflect the love of Christ to an increasingly lost
population.
24 – Statistically speaking it takes 47 Southern Baptists to lead 1 person to Christ. The
words of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke remind us that, "The harvest is plentiful, but the
workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his
harvest field. Go! I am sending you...” As we worship through the giving of our gifts, we
continue the work of the church to equip each of us to share our faith with those we
know, and those we do not.
31 – It is hard to imagine, but estimates say 5.8 billion people in the world do not know
Jesus. As we observe the Day of Prayer and Fasting for World Evangelization, realize
that God loves every single one of those 5.8 billion people just as much as He loves you.
In addition to your tithe, consider giving an additional gift, equivalent to what you would
typically spend on food for a day, in order to support and advance the work of the
Kingdom of God.
June
7 – Thanks in part to your faithful giving, combined with gifts from sister churches, 1,054
people prayed to receive Christ through the work of summer missionaries across the U.S.
last year. Please continue to give generously so that other youth and college missionaries
may be able to serve as a witness of God’s grace and mercy.
14 – The task is not complete. There are still 603 un-engaged and un-reached people
groups with populations of more than 100,000 or greater in the world. Our tithes help
support and expand the tireless work of missionaries around the globe who are seeking to
bring the message of Christ to those who have not yet heard, and don’t realize their need.
21 – As we acknowledge Baptist Men’s Emphasis today, we celebrate the leadership
and support of the men in our church and recommit them to the challenge that scripture
gives them to be models of Christ’s leadership in the home, the church, and the
community at large. As you worship through the giving of your tithe, include a prayer of
thanksgiving for the men in your life who have modeled Christ’s love for you.
28 – Today we participate in Dignity Sunday. The purpose of Dignity Sunday is to
highlight the needs almost 2,500 retired ministers and their widows, most of whom are on
fixed incomes. After decades of faithful service, many struggle with needed funds for
housing, food, and vital medication. Thank God today for these faithful servants and

5. remember, as you give there are ways you can honor the years of service each of these
have given to the growth of the church.
July
5 –Today is the 233 anniversary of the founding of this nation, a nation built on religious
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liberty and freedom. Yet, in spite of this liberty to freely share the Gospel, America has
the 4th largest number of people in the world. As we participate in Citizenship and
Religious Liberty Sunday, we must continue to give faithfully so that those without
Christ, through the work of the church, may come to know the saving and freeing love of
our Savior.
12 – World Changers utilizes high school and college students as volunteer labor for
construction and building projects in inner city neighborhoods and overseas. In 2007
more than 22,345 participants took part in projects all over the world. As we worship
God with our tithes, let’s pray for these students, and give thanks for our commitment to
reaching people through the Cooperative Program which helps support the work of
groups like World Changers.
19 – The North American Mission Board’s Evangelism Response Center received more
than 34,000 calls in 2007 resulting in over 1,730 persons praying to receive Christ. Let’s
continue to give our gifts to the Lord through our church so that those in need of spiritual
guidance may have access to this vital evangelism resource.
26 – Your giving makes a difference in expanding God’s Kingdom! In 2007 the North
American Mission Board, in conjunction with state conventions, associations, and local
churches, planted 1455 new congregations across the U.S.. As we worship with our
offerings today, remember to pray for these new churches.
August
2 – Did you know that we, Southern Baptists, have been ministering to AIDS victims in
Africa since the 1980’s? The emphasis of Social Issues Sunday today is Sexual Purity.
Most of us have heard of the emphasis “True Love Waits” and as a direct result of our
gifts we are helping to spread this message around the world.
9 – As we anticipate the beginning of another school year, our focus turns to Student
Evangelism Day. Statistics tell us that 75% of believers come to Christ before the age of
21. The urgency to continue to bring the gospel to the younger generation calls for us to
support this vital work through the consistent giving of our tithes and offerings.
16 – Today we highlight the vital role Southern Baptists play in ministering to the needs
of those affected by natural disasters. Currently 85,000 trained volunteers across the
country stand ready minister to others in times of great need, thanks in part to the faithful
giving of our gifts to the Lord through our church.

6. 23 –It often takes months, or even years to recover from a natural disaster. As we
continue to highlight the work Southern Baptists in the area of disaster relief, realize that
in 2007, 1,238 homes and buildings were repaired with the assistance of volunteers and
help from our ongoing tithes and offerings.
30 – Together we send missionaries. Together we prepare missionaries, pastors, and other
ministry leaders. And together, Southern Baptists form the 3 largest disaster relief
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organization in the nation; living out Jesus admonition in Matthew 25. “For I was
hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to
drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me.”
Thank you for worshipping God through your regular giving that helps those going
through trying times.
September
6 –Single Adults are one of the fastest growing segments of the population. In the U.S.
this translates to a larger population than all but 11 of the world’s 192 nations. In other
words, more than 4 out of 10 adults in the United States are single and the impact they
have on our culture and community is significant. As we highlight Single Adult Sunday
understand that our faithful, ongoing gifts reach out to all age groups, including this
important group of adults.
13 – This is typically the peak of Hurricane Season. As we worship God today with our
tithes and offerings, part of our gifts support the tireless work of 1,500 disaster relief
units across the United States. These units stand ready at a moment’s notice to serve
those who, in many circumstances, find themselves with little or nothing left.
20 – Everything costs something. Did you know that every compulsive gambler in our
country has a negative effect on the economy of between $14,000 and 22,000 each year?
Today is Anti-Gambling Sunday and the regular giving of our gifts help support
ministries designed to educate, combat and heal the detrimental effects of gambling in
our society.
27 – The prophet Isaiah reminds us, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good
news!" According to the North American Mission Board, in 2007, an estimated 125,000
people participated in short-term mission projects across the United States. It is exciting
to realize that our obedience in the area of giving is creating opportunities for all of us to
use our gifts and be on mission with Christ.
October
4 – You may be surprised to discover that people are more willing to hear about Christ
than you realize. In fact, 78% of people surveyed said they are willing to hear your
belief’s concerning Jesus. On this Soul-Winning Commitment Day, we are reminded of
the words of Jesus in Acts when he said, “… you will be my witnesses…” As you worship

7. today through the giving your tithes, ask God to bring someone across your path with
whom you can share how much Jesus means to you.
11 – Athletes often refer to “giving 100%” on the field in order to achieve victory. When
it comes to giving it all, realize that 100% of all gifts to the Southern Baptist World
Hunger fund are used directly for hunger-related projects. Today is World Hunger
Sunday - so as you faithfully give your tithe, generously give to the work of World
Hunger as well, knowing all of it will go directly to those who need it most.
18 –Almost 11,000 missionaries, 15,000 seminary students, 908,165 baptisms. Though
the work and ministry of the Cooperative Program has an incredibly large scope, it all
begins with your faithful giving to the Lord through our church. This simple step of
obedience puts love in action - 1 person at a time.
25 – World Changers changes lives. Last year 1209 people indicated they prayed to
receive Christ through the efforts of World Changers participants. The ministry of World
Changers begins in our church each Sunday as we worship the Lord through our faithful
tithes and offerings.
November
1 – Off all the victims in a natural disaster, none are more innocent and helpless than
children. Last year disaster relief teams provided care for 823 children whose parents
were dealing with the aftermath of Mother Nature. On this Children’s Missions
Celebration Sunday let’s continue to worship through the giving our gifts so that these
teams might be prepared and able to care for the children who will be affected in future
disasters.
8 – The North American Mission Board, in partnership with Baptist State Conventions,
coordinates the ministries of 5,271 missionaries across the United States. These
missionaries serve in cities and resort areas, minister to new immigrants and under-served
populations, and work with churches in providing discipleship, training, and evangelism.
Through our regular giving we help send them and spread the light of Christ across our
country.
15 – God uses our faithful giving to help support the hands-on work of providing the
basic necessities for those who experience the devastation and loss of natural disasters.
Through Southern Baptist Disaster volunteers we helped provide 1,039,989 meals to
men, women, and children affected by natural disasters in 2007.
22 – Eight hundred forty-four (844) new international missionaries were appointed in
2007. Their ministry is a direct result of our commitment to reaching people through the
Cooperative Program. As we worship through the giving of our tithes and offerings, let’s
thank God for their willingness to follow His call and pray for His protection and
blessing upon them and their families as they serve.

8. 29 – The holidays bring family time, gifts, and the Week of Prayer and Mission Study
for International Missions and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering . The
International Mission Board estimates that an additional 2,800 missionaries are needed to
engage the unengaged people groups of the world. Our faithfulness in the giving of our
tithes and offerings can send those God has called.
December
6 – During this Week of Prayer and Mission Study and the Lottie Moon Christmas
Offering for International Missions, we’ve discovered how our giving enables the
ministry of our international missionaries. Let’ s continue to pray for them as they
develop ways to bring the good news of the gospel to the 6505 people groups that are
currently considered un-reached.
13 – While there are still thousands of people groups to reach, last year 1183 different
people groups around the world were engaged with the gospel thanks in part to our
prayers and our faithful participation in the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the
Cooperative Program. As we worship with our tithes and offerings, give thanks to God
for this great news.
20 – What happens when 44,000 churches work together? Impact! Last year 5,384
international missionaries served across the globe as a direct result of our faithful giving.
Today, as we worship with our gifts, let’s thank God for multiplying our resources and
ministry!
27 – A years worth of giving, an eternity of impact. As we look toward the new year,
let’s give God praise for the 609,968 people who experienced new life in Christ and were
baptized in 2007. Our faithful giving to the Lord through our church is making a
difference.