May 21, 2025
Across Georgia, churches large and small saw filled pews and crowded sanctuaries as record numbers of worshippers gathered to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. From rural towns to urban centers, pastors are reporting historic Easter Sunday turnouts and powerful moments of salvation and baptism.
“Because Georgia Baptists care deeply about the daily life and the eternal life of their families, friends, neighbors, and coworkers, we intentionally invited them to experience the power of hope demonstrated through the Resurrection,” said Andy Childs, assistant executive director of the GBMB.
“Easter Sunday in Georgia Baptist churches of all sizes was a joyful reminder that the risen Christ is moving — in pews, in prayers, and in hearts, bringing hope and salvation to our state,” said Chris Reynolds, the Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s lead strategist for Pastor Wellness.
At Palmetto Baptist Church, senior pastor Lee Brewer celebrated the largest attendance in church history – 736 people. The same was true of Glen Haven Church in McDonough, where senior pastor Brady Howard said some 2,500 worshippers gathered on Easter.
Brewer said his congregation is intentional about being welcoming and friendly to everyone. "We want to be Christ-like to everyone." He pointed out the children's ministry efforts in particular. "Parents know it and feel it and want to bring their families here. This year, so many brought their extended families to Palmetto because they are excited about what the church is doing."
At Glen Haven, Howard said the outpouring began on Good Friday, when the church held a service for the first time in its history. “We really didn’t know what to expect. We just invited our church family and the community to come together to worship Christ, proclaim the gospel, and remember the finished work of Christ on the cross! We were astonished by the attendance, which was over 1,100 people.” Howard reported that six people trusted Christ as their Savior during the service
Howard continued, “When the service ended, no one wanted to leave; the only way I can explain it, the Spirit of the Lord fell in this place, and the sweetness of communion filled our souls and everyone left in awe of what the Lord had done for us on Calvary.”
That spirit overflowed into Easter Sunday, when more than 2,500 people gathered at Glen Haven, “the highest single-day attendance in our church’s history,” according to Howard.
In the small city of Ty Ty, where the population barely exceeds 600, First Baptist Church Ty Ty welcomed 510 people on Easter Sunday. “This was our third Easter here,” said Pastor John Smith. “And the first year we had 120 people in the sanctuary.” Growth has been so strong, the service now fills both the gym and the worship center, with more than 100 watching via livestream overflow. Five people gave their lives to Christ, and three were baptized—bringing the total number of baptisms over the past two years to 131.
Smith credits the spirit of outreach that began under his predecessor. Through youth sports and local engagement, the church is cultivating a deep love for its neighbors.
In Alpharetta, First Baptist’s Easter service drew 2,276 people—“the biggest service of any kind we’ve ever had,” said lead pastor Steve Browning. “But more than the crowd, what we're most excited about is this: 18 people came to know Jesus!”
“People are tired of getting dead-end answers to the deepest needs of their souls,” Browning said. “That’s why the message of the resurrection hits home for so many—it’s real hope. Hope is alive because Jesus is alive.”
That same hope was evident in communities like Hartwell, where more than 1,000 gathered at Cross Roads Baptist Church, and in Fayetteville, where New Hope drew 3,000 people across its Easter weekend services.
At Peavine Baptist Church, its campuses reported more than 5,100 people gathered, with 47 professing faith in Jesus, said lead pastor Joel Sutherland.
In McDonough, Trea Brinson reported Eagle’s Landing experienced its best turnout since COVID, with 1,800 in attendance. At Northside Baptist in Valdosta, Senior Pastor Robby Foster welcomed 1,823, the highest attendance in more than a decade. A similar story unfolded at First Baptist Powder Springs, where Senior Pastor Chip Dean said around 1,100 worshippers gathered, also the largest in years.
Churches in smaller towns also experienced historic moments.Flat Creek Baptist in Blakely and Antioch Missionary Baptist in Sylvester both reported their highest attendance ever, with Antioch welcoming 350 under the leadership of pastor Bruce Gordon.
In northeast Georgia, Senior Pastor Brett Sanders at FBC Toccoa said more than 750 gathered for worship. “It has to be the highest in decades, if not ever,” he said.
Larger congregations also saw huge numbers. At Burnt Hickory Baptist Church, senior pastor Matt Petty said more than 6,000 people came to worship across three services. And at Bethlehem Church’s three campuses in Bishop, Hoschton, and Oconee, lead pastor Jason Britt reported more than 13,500 in attendance.
Childs gives God the credit for this state-wide move. “The incredible Easter attendance at Georgia Baptist churches throughout our state is evidence of a fresh move of God and renewed gospel commitment.”
From baptisms in small towns to professions of faith in larger cities, Easter 2025 showed clear evidence of God at work. More than just high attendance, it marked a fresh movement of the Holy Spirit and affirmed the local church’s role in bringing hope and truth to their communities.
