The Open Door

The summer months in the life of the Georgia Baptist Convention bring a very special focus upon ministry with and through young people. Without a doubt SuperWow has consistently been one of the finest youth ministry events that I have ever witnessed in my ministry.

Every summer, youth and their leaders gather either at the Jekyll Island Convention Center or at the Convention Center at Fort Walton Beach, Florida to learn, praise, and worship. Every year, young people and their leaders come from churches, not just in Georgia, but also literally across the nation to be a part of this remarkable event. The music is always inspiring. The messages are challenging. The conferences are encouraging and informative. Added to these are opportunities for Christian fellowship and recreation, as well as the performance of mission ministries throughout the local communities.

I am happy to report that this year there were a total of 5,149 individuals who were registered for SuperWow at both Jekyll Island and Fort Walton Beach. There were 261 professions of faith, 400 recommitments, 90 who sensed a call to ministry, and 226 other decisions, for a total of 977 decisions. Literally, across the world and for years to come, there will be persons who have as a part of their Christian testimony that their lives were tremendously impacted by attending Georgia’s SuperWow event.

I would like to take this opportunity to commend Doug Couch, specialist in Youth Ministries; Scott Kindig, consultant in Youth Ministries; Cindy Fruitticher, administrator; Jackie Cooper, program coordinator; and Kimberly Rozes, secretary. This wonderful team of Georgia Baptist employees worked tirelessly to bring about a highly successful year in SuperWow.

On another front, Georgia Baptist students have been serving the Lord diligently through student summer missions. This summer we had one of the highest number of students ever going out across the world to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and minister to the needs of people. There were a total of 208 student summer missionaries –108 serving internationally in India, Indonesia, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Nicaragua, Brazil, Botswana, Greece, and Moldova, 61 students serving in Georgia Baptist partnership areas, 47 serving in our state, and 18 students serving at LifeWay camps and conference centers.

These students raised $182,733.97 for their ministries this summer. They reached a total of 127,834 individuals and saw 713 of those individuals make professions of faith in Jesus Christ. There were 49 rededications, 45 who responded to the call to ministry, and 240 other decisions. Special thanks to Joe Graham, specialist in Collegiate Ministries and those who serve with him: Warren Skinner, consultant; Ron Little, consultant; Judy George, administrative secretary; and Cynthia Jordan, secretary.

Further, I would like to express appreciation for all of our campus ministers throughout the state who are largely responsible for encouraging students to get involved in summer mission work as well as encouraging the raising of funds to help support this effort.

Georgia Baptists are a great people who love the Lord Jesus Christ and are committed to proclaiming the Gospel of Christ around the world. The evidence of strong student ministries in the life of our Convention assures that the quality of ministry will continue in the life of Georgia Baptists for decades to come.