Planting with Passion

Billy Compton Cooperative Program Interview Part III

     This is the third part of an interview with Dr. Billy Compton.  Billy is the former Pastor of Severns Valley Baptist Church and several other Kentucky Baptist churches and is a past President of the Kentucky Baptist Convention.  He joined the staff of the Kentucky Baptist Convention a little over a year ago and serves as the Executive Associate for Cooperative Program and Resources.  I appreciate Billy's willingness to sit down with me for this interview.  What he says is relevant and important.  If you have not read Parts I and II, you will find it helpful to go back and read these past posts.

Billy: Yes, but first let me say thanks for the Q and A interview we began two weeks ago. I was able to explain how my pastoral ministry, serving in churches like Living Hope Baptist Church and Severns Valley Baptist Church, has been inextricably connected to supporting mission causes through the Cooperative Program. “I was and continue to be a Cooperative Program champion!”

Okay, now about strategy and to answer your question. My goal is to be a friend and resource to Kentucky Baptist pastors and leaders. Each one is unique in who they are as well as where, how and who they serve. I have observed the passion and dedication of these individuals. Understandably then, I make known my vision for the Cooperative Program and how churches are blessed by giving. I like to share the educational, informational and inspirational multimedia and other resources assembled that can assist churches in their quest to support missions. From that, pastors make decisions about what will speak most appropriately to their congregations to tell the Cooperative Program story. For example, just a missions moment shared when receiving tithes and offerings in worship can help to inspire and educate church members of the tremendous results of connecting people to Christ through their CP gifts.

Education involves explaining how Cooperative Program distribution works and the rationale behind the division of Cooperative Program funds.  Education requires reminding those who give to the Cooperative Program that it is effective and efficient for providing ministries and missions funding.

Information about the Cooperative Program requires making known where these dollars are making a difference in Kentucky and around the world.

Inspiration is putting a face on those missionaries and ministries by telling their stories and the people they are impacting with the gospel.

Billy: I envision foremost that, no matter what form of promoting the Cooperative Program is used, that the success of the missions support in our convention will rely on making its effect personal. Few Christians are motivated by numbers only and information about a program, but when they understand what life has been changed, what family has been strengthened, or how a church has been renewed then a unified effort is created among churches for doing more together than what we can do alone.

I feel positive about the future of the Cooperative Program.  I go back to the analogy is the glass half full or half empty?  I believe there are signs the CP glass is half full and has a bright future.  The Great Commission Resurgence (GCR) emphasis is a sign that indicates Southern Baptists are intensifying a refocus on Acts 1:8 and Matt. 28:18-20.

The CP will continue to need focus and attention if we are to experience a Great Commissi on Resurgence (GCR).  There are a number of young leaders who are expressing discontent much of it because they have never been educated about the Cooperative Program and the way it helps Southern Baptists carry out the Great Commission.  Others, for various reasons, have forgotten how effective the CP is in connecting people to Christ. 

Fortunately, the conversation has put CP back on the radar screen.  We are being challenged with opportunities to teach and reteach about CP.  There is a certain tension that has been created by today’s events, both CP decline in giving and GCR, that can be instrumental in strengthening the CP and its effectiveness in reaching the world with the Gospel of Jesus.  I am told that a plane needs both drag and lift to fly.  I am hopeful the present conversations about a Great Commission Resurgence will help to ensure a renewed emphasis on the Cooperative Program as an essential means in helping to bring about this resurgence.  It is my opinion to have a Great Commission Resurgence we will need to have a great Cooperative Program resurgence.  Ultimately, the impact will be left to God.

Billy: Of course. Imagine with me that you are riding with me on I-65 and we pass and a big white school bus with bright blue lettering on the side that says, “Kentucky Changers.” Inside are twenty-five excited teens and their leaders headed to build a ramp for a lady named Mary who now needs much help to enter and exit her home because she is confined to a wheelchair. The ministry of these young people of Kentucky Changers turns this building project into a divine appointment by the grace of God. Mary begins to feel Christian love from this group who has traveled many miles not only to build an addition to her house, but to pray with her daily about all of her needs. After this project was finished, Mary wrote a letter that said, “The Kentucky Changers group came here and they were all wonderful.  They talked, laughed and worked so very hard. They prayed with me and for me.  They even sung some gospel songs for me.  The kids were amazing and their team leaders were great too.  I feel so very blest to have met such wonderful people. My house looks good now and I can get out easier to go to the doctors.  Anyway, I just want to thank everyone and may God bless each and everyone.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”  A few weeks later, I received a video of Mary being baptized as a new believer in Christ because of the ministry of these young people supported by the Cooperative Program. Mary goes on to say, “My life has never been the same. God has changed my life. I thank God who he sent to me?”  Mary's story is one of many life changing stories.     

So many life-changing stories. A man who came from Nevada to work with a Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief team during a disaster felt the love and grace of Jesus Christ through his team members.  He came to help the victims of the storm.  He was prompted by the Holy Spirit while using a chain saw to clear debris from someone’s front lawn to accept Christ himself.  After experiencing such a time, he declared, “I finally understood that God was speaking to me. I gave my heart to Jesus Christ. He says, “my salvation is a direct result of Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief and the Cooperative Program.  Thank you for saving me.”

There are many more like these. God is working! Praise Him!

     Billy, thank you for sharing with us.