April 25, 2024
SUWANEE, Ga. — Georgia Baptist churches reported a nearly 17% increase in baptisms last year with the overall total reaching 15,071, up from 12,897 the previous year.
“The increase truly is encouraging,” said W. Thomas Hammond Jr., executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. “We’re overjoyed to see that our churches have come out of the pandemic energized and enthusiastically sharing the gospel.”
Annual reports submitted to the Mission Board by the state’s 3,400 Georgia Baptist congregations show baptisms have risen by an eye-catching 47% from the 10,243 reported in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic was gripping the state.
“What we’re seeing is the commitment of Georgia Baptist pastors to fulfilling the Great Commission,” Hammond said. “What an incredible opportunity and privilege we have to share the hope of Christ in a hurting world.”
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, localized revivals have been popping up in every region of the state in churches large and small.
In the first quarter of the year, 119 college and university students made salvation decisions through Baptist Collegiate Ministries, said Beverly Skinner, collegiate ministry catalyst for the Mission Board.
“We’re definitely seeing a move of God in Georgia like we haven’t seen in a long, long time,” said Villa Rica Pastor Kevin Williams where 53 people surrendered to Christ at a Passion play attended by more than 4,000 people last month.
In some instances, several churches in a single community have joined together for evangelistic outreaches, as was the case with Love Loud Bowden, where 32 people made professions of faith.
Northside Baptist Church in Valdosta had seen 43 baptisms as of March and 67 since Christmas. Others that have seen big numbers of salvation decisions include Pleasant Valley South Baptist Church in Silver Creek where 21 people made salvation decisions at sportsmen’s banquet, at Dudley Baptist Church where 42 people made salvation decisions, and at Hopeful Baptist Church in Camillia where 30 people made salvation decisions.
In February, 41 people surrendered to Christ at a wild game dinner in the fellowship hall at Bethel Baptist Church in the tiny community of Omega where some 400 men had gathered.
In January, First Baptist Church in Blackshear reported 19 professions of faith at a venison supper. Another 28 people recommitted their lives to Christ at that event.
Last Sunday, 12 new believers were baptized at First Baptist Church in Douglasville, the latest of 20 baptisms in the past six months.
“We’re seeing a renewed passion to win the lost,” said Levi Skipper, lead strategist for the Mission Board’s church strengthening team. “We’re seeing a sense of urgency that we really need to get the gospel to people.”
