Texas Baptists increase giving to SBC by 2.7%

DALLAS - Texas Baptists' giving to the Southern Baptist Convention for 2013 has increased by 2.7% as compared to giving reports from the same time period in 2012.From January through September of 2013, Texas Baptist churches gave $8.5 million to support the SBC Cooperative Program, compared with $8.3 million in 2012.

Trends in annual giving to the SBC had been declining since 2007, according to Texas Baptists Treasurer Jill Larsen.

"The increase shows that Texas Baptists churches treasure our affiliation with the SBC as a national and international missions partner," Larsen said.

Additionally, giving to other designated funds for the SBC, including Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, has also increased by 2.3% in 2013, totaling $13 million in gifts through September.

Through partnership with the SBC Cooperative Program, Texas Baptist churches gave $6.5 million to support the International Mission Board, $2.86 million to support the North American Mission Board and $2.85 million given to six theological seminaries across the United States.

Through cooperative missions, Texas Baptists work alongside Baptists around the world to spread the Hope of Jesus Christ.