Saefkow appoints members to Cooperative Program task force

MACON, Ga. – Church leaders from across the state have been tapped to serve on a task force that will review the distribution of Georgia’s Cooperative Program funding.

Georgia Baptist Executive Committee Chairman Josh Saefkow, pastor of Flat Creek Baptist Church in Fayetteville, announced the appointees on Friday.  Members of the committee had voted in December to create the panel.

“We’ve got a well-balanced task force from all areas of Georgia Baptist life,” Saefkow said. “They’ll do a great job with this review.”

Georgia Baptist churches are projected to give nearly $37 million this year through the Cooperative Program for state, national and international missions.

“Georgia Baptists are committed to getting the gospel to the uttermost parts of the world, to every community, town and city in the U.S. and to every person in Georgia,” said Thomas Hammond, executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. “This task force will shine a light on the great work that Georgia Baptists are doing in response to the Great Commission.”

Saefkow and Georgia Baptist Convention President Kevin Williams will serve on the task force, along with 15 others:

• Gary Lewis, pastor of First Baptist Church in Rincon. Lewis will serve as chairman of the group.
• Lauren Sullens, president of the Georgia Woman’s Missionary Union.
• Daryl Price, Noonday associational mission strategist.
• Paul Cowles, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Warner Robins.
• Lee Lacey, pastor of First Baptist Church in Sandersville.
• Billy Duncan, pastor of Beallwood Baptist Church in Columbus.
• Billy Godwin, pastor of Ephesus Baptist Church in Villa Rica.
• Dexter Hardy, pastor of LifePoint Church in Marietta.
• Alex Cosio, pastor of Iglesia Nuevo Horizon in Woodstock.
• Clay Layfield, worship pastor of First Baptist Church in Eastman.
• Craig Ward, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Clarkesville.
• John Waters, pastor of First Baptist Church in Statesboro.
• Patrick Latham, pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Cartersville.
• Daniel Chon, pastor of Macon Korean Baptist Church in Macon.
• Chad Mantooth, pastor of First Baptist Church in Winder.
  
  

The task force was the idea of Chris Webb, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Mount Airy. Webb made a motion to the create the group during an Executive Committee meeting in Macon on Dec. 14. The motion passed 46-29.