Partners in the Gospel

The Apostle Paul expressed in clear terms his appreciation to the Philippian believers because of their gospel partnership. Paul wrote Philippians 1:3-5,“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” 

The Philippians were financial supporters of Paul’s gospel work, and he was grateful for their investment. Paul thanked the Philippians specifically for their “partnership in the gospel.” 

The Kentucky Baptist Convention began in 1837 as a “gospel partnership.” The KBC was created by churches for churches to help churches reach Kentucky and the world for Christ. 

We are a convention of 2,300 churches working together to reach our state, our nation and the world for Christ. Last year KBC churches gave more than $22,000,000 through the Cooperative Program to fund ministry and missions and together baptized more than 11,000 people in Kentucky.   

But why should we continue to partner in the gospel? Why not just go it alone and do missions by yourself apart from other churches? Here are five benefits of partnering together to reach our state, nation and the world for Christ.   

1. It glorifies God: Just as a father loves to see his children working together in close relationships, God is glorified when His children work together to advance the gospel. Psalm 133:1 reminds us, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” God is glorified and we are happier when we work together to fulfill the Great Commission.  

2. It has greater return on investment: Ecclesiastes 4:9 reminds the reader, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.” If two are better than one, then 2,300 are better than two. Imagine the impact of 2,300 churches working together to reach Kentucky and the world for Christ! We can anticipate a great return on our gospel investment.   

3. It increases our joy: I recently watched on television as the U.S. men’s national team beat Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup. It was a thrilling game, and at the end of the game the crowd broke into singing John Denver’s “Take Me Home Country Roads.” While I was not there in person, I enjoyed seeing our nation so well represented and felt that I was part of the win as a U.S. citizen. An even greater joy is realized when we support missionaries, church planters and ministerial students together through our Cooperative Program funding; and these leaders are used by God to win people to Jesus, plant new churches and strengthen existing ones. These are our people, and we are participating together in advancing the gospel of Christ around the world.  

4. It stewards our resources: There are lots of ways to do missions but, in my opinion, there is no better way to fund mission work than doing it cooperatively. We are funding, not just a missionary in a foreign country, but instead a biblically faithful ecosystem that allows 2,300 churches to train, send and sustain gospel workers all over the country and the world. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:2, “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” When we work together as partners in the gospel we can steward limited resources faithfully.  

5. It keeps us focused: Every church, ministry and Christian organization must fight against mission drift. Mission drift occurs when a church or ministry loses sight of why it exists. The Kentucky Baptist Convention exists to help churches reach Kentucky and the world for Christ. When we partner in the gospel, we are maintaining a laser sharp focus on the singular mission Christ gave to His people. Go and make disciples of all nations.  

There are more benefits to a gospel partnership than these: Partnering to advance the gospel communicates a message that God’s people can do big things together, it leads to a future celebration and it addresses the world’s greatest problem — lostness. We really are better together.  

May the Lord be pleased to use Kentucky Baptists, working Together for the Mission — for His glory and the good of people, until Christ returns.