At some churches, the offering plate is plentiful.

While the economy plagues many organizations, some local faith-based operations have weathered the recession.

“It seemed like we were going to (see decreased donations),” said Mark Gilliam, stewardship minister at Living Hope Baptist Church. “But we’re truthfully very close to where we were at the end of 2007. 2008 ended in the exact same spot.”

As churches report steady donations, other Christian organizations are going forward with projects that require financial backing.

Mike Wilson, general manager of local Christian radio station WCVK, plans to build three new radio stations at $50,000 each. The nonprofit station is developing a capital campaign to raise money for the project.

“It’s probably a seven-, eight-month process of developing a major gifts campaign,” Wilson said. “That is the longest and most difficult part.”

Still, Wilson hopes to start construction at the end of this year. The new stations will be in Glasgow, Russellville and Leitchfield. WCVK operates two stations, one in Bowling Green and one in Owensboro.

Wilson decided to construct three new stations after receiving several requests from listeners who wanted a station in their community. When the Federal Communications Commission opened a 30-day window to apply for broadcast station permits, Wilson jumped at the chance to reach out to those people.

“We’re looking to do what we can do and broaden our reach,” he said. “Any organization’s goal is to change lives for the better.”

Wilson hopes to raise $200,000 to cover the stations’ construction and operating expenses. In fact, each station’s expenses depend on listener and business donations, which have poured in despite the economy.

This past December was “the best December we ever had,” Wilson said.

Before Thanksgiving, the station was $3,000 under budget. After Wilson shared the station’s plight with donors, the money flooded in. The station collected about $24,000 during December.

“One thing I’ve come to realize, even in the downturn of the economy, people who have the capacity still give, and philanthropy has gone up every year,” he said. “Especially people of means, they see it as a responsibility for them because they have been blessed with wealth.”

Similarly, Gilliam said he hopes donations have remained stable because people have remained faithful.

“My hope would be that this is a byproduct of discipleship,” he said. “That people hopefully are understanding that God is the God of a good economy and the bad.”

Mark Hale, executive pastor of Hillvue Heights Church, said offerings have been strong so far this year. Hale attributed the church’s steady offerings to the congregation’s continued faith in Jesus despite a spiraled economy.

“Look back at history. The largest churches were built during the Depression,” he said. “People have a tendency to adhere to Christ during times of trial and tribulation.”