HUDSON, N.C. (BP) – Mount Zion Baptist Church long supported the Cooperative Program before Zach Kennedy arrived as senior pastor early last year. “It’s in their DNA,” said Kennedy, 41.
Kennedy, himself, didn’t come to that realization until his 20s. Raised Pentecostal, he began leaning toward Southern Baptist theology in his last year of college. He then began attending Lawndale Baptist Church in Greensboro, N.C., and grew under the teaching of then-Pastor Joe Giaritelli.
The church taught how the Cooperative Program helped them reach more people and accomplish more than they could on their own. That included helping people attend seminary, which had become a consideration for Kennedy.
Other options would cost as much as $20,000 in loans. It was not difficult for Kennedy to choose Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he would basically only be responsible for living expenses.
“I felt the Lord was making this pretty clear that Southeastern was where I needed to be,” he said. “It vastly exceeded my expectations.”
That isn’t just because it’s where he met his future wife, Kelly, with whom he has three sons.
“It really impressed me at every point and solidified my decision,” Kennedy said.
He says Mount Zion is a “typical” Southern Baptist church with about 200 in worship each Sunday. Traditional by some measures, not so much by others as they utilize an organ and a praise band, though not at the same time. They have ministries like Royal Ambassadors, Girls in Action and Acteens. They support the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and Annie Armstrong Easter Offering every year.
Mount Zion’s annual giving through the Cooperative Program – 16 percent – wouldn’t be qualified as typical, rather above average.
“It’s who they are,” Kennedy said. “We have generations of families who have attended here, and they are very dedicated. Besides myself, our youth pastor attended Southeastern. We have a member who served as an International Mission Board missionary. This church is aware of the importance of CP.”
It extends Mount Zion’s ministry footprint far beyond Hudson, he added.
“We’re interested in doing as much as we can to fulfill the Great Commission to every tribe, tongue and nation possible,” said Kennedy. “Doing that through the CP is a lot more efficient. And for our missionaries, what a benefit to focus on the work instead of having to constantly raise support.
“As someone who did not grow up Southern Baptist, who became Southern Baptist by conviction, the Cooperative Program is truly one of my favorite aspects about the work of the Convention. I really do believe it is a great model to do ministry, especially missions.”
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