When your church gives through the Cooperative Program, you are investing in gospel- advancing ministry not only to remote points of the globe, but also right here in Kentucky.
Giving through CP allows your church, and you by way of your tithes and offerings, to fund the work of Clear Creek Baptist Bible College, Crossings Camps, Sunrise Children’s Services and more.
You also support the ministry of Kentucky Baptists’ own K-12 and boarding school, Oneida Baptist Institute.
Oneida, or OBI as many Kentucky Baptists know it, exists to provide a Christian living, learning and working environment in which each of its students, Christian or non-Christian, is diligently challenged to grow mentally, physically, socially and spiritually in order to acquire an education for time and eternity.
The school lives out this mission and has been used for decades to help students hear, understand and respond to the gospel while they are receiving a top-shelf education.
While Oneida has an excellent staff of full-time and part-time workers, it also relies on volunteers for some of the important work of the school. President Larry Gritton said this about the value of volunteers: “Volunteers are a vital part of the OBI ministry. The work they perform helps us to keep costs down, which ultimately leads to young people being able to attend OBI either for free or at a very reduced tuition rate. OBI volunteers will often find great contentment, fulfillment, and satisfaction through serving in our ministry. If you love the Lord, love kids and love service, I know no better place to serve than Oneida Baptist Institute.”
There are numerous benefits that come about when you or your church volunteers at OBI. Here are five:
1. You discover one of Kentucky Baptists’ best kept secrets. To have a best kept secret is not a good thing when it comes to such an impactful ministry as Oneida Baptist Institute. However, the vast majority of Kentucky Baptists have never visited the spacious facility sitting atop a Clay County mountain outside of Manchester. Since 1899, lives have been impacted through this unique school and Kentucky Baptists are an important part of its history and continued impact.
2. You will meet some of the most dedicated Christian servants in our state. Those who serve full-time or part-time at OBI are missionaries who have answered a call to serve children. When you visit the campus, you will cross paths with men and women who are as dedicated and committed to their calling as our Southern Baptist missionaries overseas. Most of them serve at OBI at personal sacrifice because they believe the Lord has called them to Oneida.
3. You will make a kingdom difference by your investment. One student from Georgia said about the OBI experience, “I don’t think I’d be standing where I am today without having come to Oneida Baptist Institute. It taught me that sometimes the imperfect things in life are the most memorable and has allowed me to foster a relationship with God.” Just recently more than sixteen Oneida students publicly professed their faith in Christ, and every graduating senior this year is a follower of Jesus.
4. You will see a glimpse of the impact of your church’s Cooperative Program giving. The Cooperative Program is the most effective gospel mission funding tool known to modern Christianity. The downside is that we do not always get to see the direct impact of our giving. When you visit OBI, you will see how some of your CP dollars are being invested and you will be impressed.
5. You will gain a heart for OBI and probably become a lifelong supporter. Volunteers have been coming to help with the ministry at Oneida since the 1940s. The school’s highest award, the Evans’ Cup, voted on by the staff, is named for a gentleman from Cincinnati who would volunteer every summer. Mr. Evans developed such a heart for the school that he continued to return year after year. It is possible that you and your church will do the same.
The need for volunteers ranges from skilled laborers, who can help with housing and building rehab or overhaul, to those who are willing to do farm work and cleaning. The school can accommodate groups of up to 20 people per group per week.
Would you prayerfully consider whether a trip to Oneida this summer could be good for you and your church? It will certainly be good for Oneida and its mission of advancing the gospel through Christian education.
Dr. Todd Gray 