Annual Church Profile data indicates encouraging trends for Mississippi Baptists
By Jon Martin/MBCB chief strategy officer
JACKSON, Miss. – Each year beginning in August, churches are asked to participate in the Annual Church Profile (ACP). Only 11 questions long, the survey gathers basic information to help churches and associations understand the history and health of their congregations. It is a valuable tool to observe trends in church life across Mississippi and the Southern Baptist Convention.
This year, after analyzing the ACP data, some encouraging trends emerged worth celebrating that will help assist churches focus their evangelism efforts.
Before reviewing the ACP data, though, it is important to keep in mind its limitations: the information provided is self-reported, the number of churches that participate varies each year, and the same churches don’t necessarily participate each year. This means that the data is not perfect, but it does help give a bigger picture of church health and Gospel impact Mississippi Baptist churches are having in their communities.
The ACP asks three questions that can help track church trends: number of baptisms, average worship attendance, and average Sunday School/small group attendance.
Baptisms
Statewide, the number of baptisms has increased each year since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began. In 2025, Mississippi Baptist churches baptized 9,299 people, the highest total since 2016, when 9,681 baptisms were recorded.
When it comes to who is being baptized, the majority are children and youth. Those baptized between ages 0-17 account for 57 percent of all baptisms, while individuals ages 18-29 make up 19 percent, and those 30 and older comprise 24 percent. This data points to the significance of children and student ministries and those events that invest specifically in those age groups, such as Vacation Bible School and DiscipleNow.
Worship and Sunday School/small group attendance
Worship and Sunday School/small group attendance among Mississippi Baptist churches is the highest it has been since COVID, with both numbers continuing to see a yearly increase.
While these numbers have not yet surpassed the pre-COVID levels in 2019, the annual increase is encouraging. Although many churches anticipated a quick recovery from the COVID downturn, it is taking longer to overcome. It is projected that when the 2026 ACP data is received, the pre-COVID worship and Sunday School/small group attendance numbers will finally be eclipsed. Mississippi Baptist churches should see this momentum as motivation to keep reaching their communities and making disciples.
Over the past two years, 47 percent of Mississippi Baptist churches have experienced growth in their average weekly worship attendance. Another 20 percent fall into what is considered a “stable” category, meaning their attendance has neither increased nor decreased by more than 4 percent. That leaves 33 percent of churches that have seen a decline of more than 4 percent.
Focusing on Sunday School/Small Group attendance, 40 percent of Mississippi Baptist Churches experienced growth, with 18 percent considered “stable,” leaving 42 percent that have experienced greater than 4 percent decline over the last two years.
Looking at the combined picture, 26.1 percent of Mississippi Baptist churches reported growth in both worship and Sunday School/small group attendance in the two years studied. This might lead some to assume that 73.9 percent were therefore stable or in decline. However, 37.1 percent of churches grew in one area while being stable or decline in another. This means that a church may be growing in Sunday School, and stable in worship. While it is preferable for churches to be growing in both areas, it is encouraging to know that a greater number are growing in at least one area of ministry.
One final important marker of church health is the percentage of worship attenders that also attend a Sunday School or small group. Among Mississippi Baptist churches, 65.6 percent of worship attenders also attend a Sunday School or small group. This data suggests the churches with the highest worship attendance tend to have a higher percentage of those who attend a Sunday School or small groups.
Kentucky Baptists continue generous CP giving
By Chip Hutcheson/Kentucky Today
LOUISVILLE, Ky (KT) — Cooperative Program giving by Kentucky Baptists in March came in at $1,752,431. That is slightly below last year’s total, but it includes some reporting from February when winter storms prompted some churches to cancel services.
Seven months into the fiscal year, total CP giving stands at $13,418,616, up by $598,623 over the previous year. Giving is still 3.62 percent over budget. This year’s total giving is the highest in at least the past six years.
“By the grace of God demonstrated through the generosity of Kentucky Baptist churches, Cooperative Program giving for March leaves us nearly $600,000 ahead of the previous year at this point and more than $450,000 ahead of budget,” said Todd Gray, Kentucky Baptist Convention executive director-treasurer.
“Thank you, Kentucky Baptists, for prioritizing the funding of our missionaries, planting new churches, caring for foster children, training men and women for gospel ministry and so much more through your Cooperative Program giving. Please join me in praying that God will use these gifts to reach men and women and boys and girls with the Gospel.”
Giving to the Lottie Moon missions offering in March was $422,906, pushing the seven-month total to $4,639,340, which is 8.8 percent above last year — a jump of $375,290.
The Annie Armstrong offering came in at $47,148, for seven-month total of $340,663. That is $5,949 above last year, with the next month report expected to reflect a strong increase because of the reporting timeframe.
The Eliza Broadus offering was $34,389 in March, the lowest total of the seven-month period. However, that offering amounts to $1,237,201 for the year, down by just $3,715 from the previous year.
Giving to Sunrise Children’s Services is $60,634 over the previous year. The March total of $23,095 puts the seven-month total at $345,042, up from $284,408 this time last year.
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