This is not the first article written about the faithfulness in missions giving by Mexico Baptist Church in Marion, and it will likely not be the last.

Cooperative Program giving at the rural Crittenden county church goes back to 1946. On Oct. 16 of that year, the deacons of Mexico Baptist voted to increase the CP giving of the congregation from 10 percent to 15 percent of undesignated offerings. Then on March 4, 1959, the church voted to increase their CP giving by 2 percent for the next two years, and then an additional 1 percent per year until they reached their goal of giving 25 percent of their offerings to the Southern Baptist missions funding offering.

In addition to their Cooperative Program giving, the church also supports its local association, Ohio River, at 5 percent per year as well as giving generously through Lottie Moon, Annie Armstrong, Eliza Broadus, Oneida, association offerings, and other special collections for mission needs.

If our readers think Mexico is a missions giving church but not a missions going church, they would be mistaken. This rural congregation of 225 in morning worship gives in excess of $150,000 a year to various causes, but they are also actively engaged in the mission of Jesus in their own community and beyond.

Pastor Tim Burdon explained why the church supports missions at a high level. “When you go back to the history of the church in the 40s,” he said, “those deacons at that time just had a heart to share the gospel with people all over the world.

“These were conservative leaders who were committed to the concept of the cooperative program,” he noted.

Burton said that this missions giving mindset continues in the church today. He added, however, “There are a lot of people in churches that do not understand the cooperative program.”

This lack of understanding can result in a lack of loyalty if not addressed. Burton knows that he has inherited a leadership mantle in one of the great missions giving churches in the state, and he is one of the top voices in the church making the case for CP support, as well as giving to missions in other ways.

The church does give sacrificially, but they also benefit enormously. Because of their active financial commitment to missions, there are several things that happen:

1. The people are engaged in missions all over the world.

2. They experience God providing all their needs. “Back when we were doing our education building and all of the construction work, we never once had to cut out Cooperative Program giving,” Burton shared. “We did not have a capital campaign. God just met a great need. We were faithful to give and God was faithful to provide.”

3. They believe they are a stronger church because of their giving. Burton feels that God is honored in their giving because the church is getting financially involved in something that is important to God: world missions.

4. They sense the favor of God on their congregation. Burton cites Malachi 3:10 where the Lord says He will open to the people the windows of heaven in response to their giving. They in no way feel that God is indebted to them, but they clearly believe God is honoring their giving.

5. Mexico is a leader in the state, setting an example for other churches. Mexico is located off the beaten path from most in the state. Their level of giving makes them stand out to Kentucky Baptists. For many years the church has been recognized as the leading per capita giving congregation out of 2,400 churches in the state. They do not give for recognition, but they do value setting a sacrificial example for others.

Paul, the Apostle, wrote to the Philippian church, in response to their faithful support of his mission endeavor, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 KJV). While this verse is claimed by many, it was first written to a church that was financially supporting the cause of Christ outside their own region.