Spring Valley Baptist Church, Columbia, was honored Oct. 15 for a landmark in giving. The church recently reached $2 million in contributions through the Cooperative Program.

Spring Valley started as a church plant of North Trenholm Baptist Church 26 years ago. In the church’s short history, the commitment to the Cooperative Program grew strong.

“We are a mission start that made the decision to commit to the Southern Baptist giving channel,” said Robert Winburn, pastor.

Gary Anderson, Cooperative Program director for the South Carolina Baptist Convention, notes that giving has been the makeup of the church from the beginning.

“As Spring Valley has prospered and grown, its CP giving has always been an important part of who it is,” said Anderson.

The church reached the $1 million mark in Cooperative Program giving faster than any church in the state. The $2 million contribution mark was again reached faster than any other South Carolina church.

“We understand it is the organizational process for Southern Baptist churches to support the work of the convention,” Winburn said.

Even with contributions to the Cooperative Program, Winburn emphasizes the missions work the church has personally undertaken with trips to Brazil, Taiwan, West Virginia, and recently to Mississippi. The church also works with a multi-housing ministry in Columbia.

Winburn believes in the importance of missions programs for children such as RAs, GAs and Mission Friends.

“We believe in maintaining missions organizations foundational to missions support,” he said.

Spring Valley currently gives 10 percent of undesignated funds to the Cooperative Program and 3 percent to the local association. As the budget of the church increases, Cooperative Program giving automatically increases.

“Churches like Spring Valley are empowering kingdom growth in their local congregation, Columbia Metro Association, South Carolina, our nation and around the world,” said Anderson.

“Reaching this mark in CP giving is a wonderful example of a church staying focused on its mission,” he continued.

As Winburn reflects on the mission of Spring Valley, a much greater vision is at the forefront of Spring Valley’s giving.

“This is a major outreach around the state, nation and other nations,” he said.

Anderson agrees, “What a wonderful testimony to a church being committed to the Great Commission and realizing we can do more together than one can alone.”