ASHLAND, Ky. (KT) – When Jason Lowe arrived to speak at First Filipino Asian Baptist Church last Sunday, he was greeted with a heartwarming sight.
Lowe, who serves as East Region consultant for the Kentucky Baptist Convention (KBC), had been invited as the congregation kicked off its celebration of Cooperative Program (CP) Month. Although the official CP Sunday celebration falls this week, Lowe attended the previous Sunday due to upcoming vacation plans.
What stood out to him wasn’t just the warm welcome—it was the sea of familiar blue-and-white “I’m a CP Champion” t-shirts worn by every member in attendance. The shirts had been handed out at last year’s Annual Meeting, and seeing the congregation proudly wearing them made an impression.
“It was so encouraging to see a new church that has so quickly embraced the idea that we are better together,” Lowe said, smiling.
The church’s pastor, Ely Sagnansay, needs no introduction to the Cooperative Program. Though the church plant is only 10 months old, this is already its second CP Sunday celebration.
“We planned it as a way to support CP,” Sagnansay said. “CP has helped us so much—it’s the reason we were able to start this church.”
Sagnansay has been preaching for 43 years and moved to the United States in 1993. Before launching the Ashland church plant, he pastored Kirk Memorial Baptist Church in Olive Hill. While serving there, he began a Bible study group in Ashland—originally meeting at a Panera Bread.
Thanks to the Cooperative Program, the KBC was able to assist in launching the new church. Today, the congregation consists of about 14 members when everyone is present. Sagnansay noted that Ashland’s Filipino-Asian population is growing, largely due to opportunities in the medical field.
He also noted that the Filipino population is expanding across Kentucky, pointing to communities in northern Kentucky, Louisville, Bowling Green, Lebanon, Somerset, and London.
During Lowe’s visit, church members listened intently as he shared more about how the Cooperative Program works. Pastor Sagnansay makes it a point to ensure his congregation understands its value.
“We make it very, very clear how important CP is to us,” he said.
