Baptist and Reflector
Pastor Bruce Chesser, center, and Bruce Raley, executive pastor of First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, present a check for $200,000 to Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. The check represented an overage in the church’s funds this past fiscal year.
HENDERSONVILLE — When First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, finished the past fiscal year with an overage, church leaders decided to share the blessing with others.
First Baptist Church presented a check for $200,000 to Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board on Sunday, Dec. 5.
“Because of God’s blessings on our church this past fiscal year, we are excited to be able to bless others with this gift,” Chesser told the congregation.
“God blessed us financially with a financial overage this fiscal year. But, we do not believe He intended for us to hoard this money. God provided it to be used for Kingdom purposes” he said.
The funds will be designated $100,000 for Cooperative Program, and $25,000 for each mission offering (Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions, Annie Armstrong Offering for North American Missions and Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions). In addition, $25,000 is designated for the new partnership with Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention for churches to have Vacation Bible Schools. (Last month, messengers at the 2021 Summit — the annual meeting of Tennessee Baptists — approved a new partnership initiative with the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention).
All of these gifts are in addition to the funds designated in the church budget.
Davis expressed appreciation on behalf of Tennessee Baptists.
“I appreciate the exemplary Great Commission second mile generosity of First Baptist Church of Hendersonville and the visionary leadership of Dr Chesser,” Davis said. B&R
