Louisville—Ahead of last year’s pace but behind budget by 14.21 percent, the 2008-09 fiscal year has opened with Cooperative Program receipts totaling $1,715,798 through Sept. 30.

According to Lowell Ashby, KBC’s business services team leader, that amount is more than $284,000 behind the $2 million needed to reach budgeted projections for the month.

The annual budget for CP this fiscal year is $24 million. No increase in the budget goal was made for the current budget year over the budget for the 2007-08 fiscal year.

“Coming off a record 2007-2008 fiscal year, we believe the $24 million budget is very attainable for the current year,” said Billy Compton, executive associate for Cooperative Program and resources.

Ashby noted that the $1,715,798 given by churches through the Cooperative Program in September was $457,435 (36.4 percent) more than the $1,258,363 received in the same month last year.

“With $2 million needed each month to maintain this year’s CP budget, this is a much better start to the fiscal year than last year,” Ashby acknowledged.

“The Cooperative Program is still the most effective and efficient way for any size church to make the Acts 1:8 missions model a reality,” Compton said. “We are continually grateful for the Kentucky Baptist churches that are investing in these missions and ministry causes through the program.”