HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (BP)--Messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention affirmed the effectiveness of cooperative missions and adopted a $46 million 2010 Cooperative Program budget during their annual meeting, Nov. 17-18 at Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville, Ala.

The gathering's nearly 900 participants also re-elected all three state convention officers without opposition. Serving second one-year terms will be Jimmy Jackson, pastor of Whitesburg Baptist Church, as president; Mike Shaw, pastor of First Baptist Church in Pelham, Ala., first vice president, and John Killian, pastor of Maytown Baptist Church, second vice president.

In a resolution "Affirming the Cooperative Program," messengers recognized Alabama's Baptist entities, the importance of working as cooperative ministries and CP's role in propelling ministry. The resolution points to the fact that Alabama ranked first in CP giving among all state conventions for the Southern Baptist Convention fiscal year ending Sept. 30. Alabama remains at the top when CP receipts are combined with total giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions and the Annie Armstrong Offering for North American Missions. The resolution stated that Cooperative Program missions dollars "are managed prudently, and allocated consistently with our vision for comprehensively and simultaneously reaching our state, nation and the world."

world."

A resolution on "Affirming Great Commission Ministries," meanwhile, cited the mission emphasis of the ABSC, "One Mission, The Great Commission; One Program, The Cooperative Program; Many Ministries, Great Commission Ministries" and resolved to continue partnership with the Southern Baptist Convention in reaching Alabama, North America and the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Other resolutions adopted by messengers:

-- recognized the 400th anniversary of the modern Baptist movement and called on pastors to recognize a Baptist Heritage Sunday and other Baptist heritage events.

-- reaffirmed Alabama Baptists' opposition to electronic bingo gambling at any location in the state, called upon state lawmakers to oppose expansion of gambling and applauded Gov. Bob Riley and his Governor's Task Force on Illegal Gambling for their work.

The $46 million budget for 2010 maintained the same bottom line as 2009 -- providing no salary increases for staff but also avoiding cuts and staff reductions. Cooperative Program receipts will be divided the same as in 2009, with 57.5 percent for Alabama missions and ministry and 42.5 percent for Southern Baptist national and international causes.