Alabama Baptist Messengers to Vote on $38.5 Million Cooperative Program Budget

Messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention annual meeting will review and vote on the proposed 2027 Cooperative Program Allocation Budget of $38.5 million. This proposal reflects an increase of $1 million over the 2025 budget and is nearly $1.5 million less than the actual receipts from 2025. The budget maintains a 50–50 allocation, with half directed to Alabama missions and ministry causes and the other half to Southern Baptist missions and ministry causes, each portion totaling $19,250,000.

Alabama Baptists have consistently been the top Cooperative Program contributor among all state conventions at the Southern Baptist Convention level. Rick Lance, executive director of the State Board of Missions, described the 2027 budget proposal as “both ministry-driven and fiscally conservative.” He emphasized that the budget aligns with the three major strategic priorities approved by the convention — evangelism and discipleship, missions strategy, and missions mobilization. The proposal also reflects comprehensive research on past giving patterns and projected Cooperative Program gifts for 2027.

Lance highlighted the importance of a “reachable and responsible” budget, particularly with the executive director transition taking place. Derek Allen, the executive director-elect, will assume his role on February 1 following Lance’s retirement on January 31. Of Alabama Baptists’ half of the CP Allocation Budget, $12,550,854 is allocated to SBOM ministries, while $6,699,146 is directed to state convention entity ministries. Christian higher education receives nearly 54% of the entity ministry allocation, including the University of Mobile, the Board of Aid to Students, and the A. Earl Potts Scholarship.

Other entities receiving funds include Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries, Shocco Springs Conference Center, The Alabama Baptist, Alabama Baptist Retirement Centers, The Baptist Foundation of Alabama, Alabama Baptist Historical Commission, Christian Life Commission, and two auxiliary ministries — Alabama WMU and ALCAP. The SBOM ministries budget includes $3,469,876 for evangelism and discipleship with 35 full-time employees, $1,786,979 for missions mobilization with 10 full-time employees, and $6,494,661 for missions strategy, which covers the executive office and all SBOM personnel expenses.

Messengers will also vote on special offering goals totaling $23,300,000. Alabama voters will decide in November whether public schools should be required to allow student-led prayer, conduct the Pledge of Allegiance daily, and play the national anthem weekly. A Somali woman reportedly has been confined to a room, beaten, and deprived of suf.

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