COmpassion Ministries Offering
Every year, churches across the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware unite to pray and give toward a shared vision: to be a convention that sees and cares for the vulnerable and marginalized in our communities.
Beginning in 2026, 100% of the Compassion Ministries Offering (CMO) will be dedicated to helping BCM/D churches start, sustain, and strengthen compassion ministries — the hands-and-feet work that meets real needs in real neighborhoods across Maryland and Delaware.
What is the Compassion ministries Offering (cMO)?
The Compassion Ministries Offering is an annual financial contribution made by BCM/D churches, given in addition to regular Cooperative Program giving. Funds raised through the CMO go directly back into our 400+ churches across Maryland and Delaware to help them start new compassion ministries, sustain ones already in place, and grow their capacity to serve their communities well.
How is the CMO used?
CMO funds are distributed to BCM/D churches to strengthen the ministries that care for the vulnerable and marginalized, organized around five focus areas:
- Disaster Relief — equipping churches to prepare for, connect around, and respond to natural disasters and urgent community needs.
- Abuse Prevention — helping churches build pathways that protect the vulnerable.
- Disability Ministry (Everyone Belongs) — resourcing churches to minister effectively to individuals and families affected by disability.
- Evangelism — supporting churches as they share the gospel near and far.
- Poverty Assistance — partnering with churches serving their communities’ marginalized, including food ministries and other forms of practical care.
Why should our church participate in the CMO?
Participating in the CMO allows your church to play a direct role in caring for the vulnerable and marginalized across our two states. Your contribution helps fund the training, resources, and grants that equip churches — yours and others across the convention — to do compassion ministry well, rather than starting from scratch on their own.
How is the CMO different from the regular Cooperative Program giving?
The CMO is an additional, designated offering that specifically funds compassion ministry efforts — disaster relief, abuse prevention, disability ministry, evangelism support, and poverty assistance — within BCM/D churches. Cooperative Program giving, by contrast, supports the full range of national, international, and local mission and ministry work carried out across our convention of churches.
When is the CMO collected?
The CMO is collected annually, and churches may contribute at any time throughout the year. In 2026, the CMO Week of Prayer will be held September 13–20. During this week, we ask churches to pray specifically for the compassion ministries supported by the CMO and to consider how the Lord may lead them to give.
Can individual church members contribute to the CMO directly?
Yes. Individual church members can contribute through their local BCM/D church, which will forward the gift as part of the church’s total CMO contribution.
How can we promote the CMO in our church?
You can promote the CMO through sermons, special events, informational materials, social media, and personal testimonies from those involved in compassion ministry. A media kit will be made available for you to use in your church as we get closer to the CMO Week of Prayer. Look for it under ‘Downloads’ below.
How can we learn more about the impact of the CMO?
Every year during The Gathering, our Annual Family Meeting of BCM/D churches, we share updates on how CMO funds are being used and the impact they’re making in communities across Maryland and Delaware.
How can we pray for the CMO?
A Prayer Guide is available to download and use during the CMO Week of Prayer, September 13–20. See ‘Downloads’ below.
Who can we contact for more information about the CMO?
For more information about the CMO, contact [email protected] and we will get you in touch with our Compassion Ministries team, or you can speak with your local church leadership.
Downloadable Resources
Coming soon…
Give to Compassion Ministries
Apply for a Compassion Ministries Grant
CMO Grant Application
The Compassion Ministries Grant assists BCM/D churches that are seeking to start, sustain, or strengthen a compassion ministry — disaster relief, abuse prevention, disability ministry, evangelism, or poverty assistance — by resourcing them with grants funded by the Compassion Ministries Offering.