VALDOSTA, Ga. — This year’s Bible conference at Northside Baptist Church will take on added meaning because it comes in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s destructive trek through Valdosta, Lowndes County, and much of South Georgia.
News agencies reported that 933 homes in Lowndes were either destroyed or significantly damaged. Unprecedented rainfall came in torrents. Flash floods engulfed many communities. Trees were uprooted. Historic buildings in downtown Valdosta were destroyed. Power lines were disconnected. Gas shortages and power outages persisted.
Valdosta was plagued with utility poles blocking roads and highways. Downed trees, twisted sheet metal, shop signs, roof tops, foliage, and tree branches were strewn across much of southern Georgia.
Helene’s destruction stretched beyond Lowndes County and resulted in 17 storm-related deaths. Three people died in Valdosta, including a young child and a mother who were trapped by debris and a tree.
But how do you navigate the storms of life? Storms can change one for better or worse. They can leave you hopeless, or they can cause you to turn to Christ who can give a surpassing hope.
Northside Baptist Church in Valdosta did not have their regular Sunday morning Life Groups after Hurricane Helene tore through the city, because the space typically used for Bible study was occupied by Southern Baptist Disaster Relief workers for weeks. Senior Pastor Robby Foster credited 120 disaster relief workers from Georgia, Arkansas, Indiana, and Kentucky with doing an amazing job of helping the city return to some semblance of normalcy. The Life Groups started back again on Nov. 3, 2024.
Foster noted that the hurricane that made its destructive path through his city not only impacted people financially, physically, and emotionally but also spiritually. He believes that this year’s Bible Conference, to be held Feb. 28 through March 2, will help bring to his people and the people of South Georgia the spiritual and emotional peace and revitalization they need.
Randy Mullinax, the senior adult pastor at Northside, explained, “The hurricane absolutely depleted and exhausted our people and many of them became vulnerable to respiratory and congestive ailments, and I think our Bible conference will be like a spiritual steroid pack or a divine high-octane boost to them.”
Mullinax said the conference, themed around ‘Worship and the Word’ and ‘Raising the Standard,’” will feature extraordinary preaching and music that “will bless and nourish the souls of those who come.”
Northside Worship Pastor Jeff Scoggins said, “As our church’s worship leader I am not interested in impressing people, but I just want the Lord to change lives. Our ministry is the win. We try to do that by loving God, serving people, and reaching the lost.”
Noah Blount, the student pastor at Northside, explained, “Communities and families strive to rebuild emotionally and physically, often with their plans, but the Bible teaches that spiritual renewal is essential for trusting the Lord. The conference provides a platform for spiritual renewal, enabling attendees to face the emotional and physical challenges of recent months.”
In addition to Northside’s choir and orchestra providing the music and leading in worship, Bucky Kennedy and H. B. Charles will be preaching on Friday evening. Pastor Brad Waters and Kenny Grant will preach on Saturday morning, with Herb Reavis and Rick Coram preaching in the evening. Phil Hoskins will preach before Pastor Robby Foster on Sunday morning.
Waters’ church, First Baptist Hazlehurst, will host its own Bible conference from March 2-5. The FBC Hazlehurst choir will join the Northside choir on Saturday morning, and the Northside group will return the favor on Monday, March 3. Featured speakers at the Hazlehurst conference will include Jerry Vines, Foster, Hoskins, Reavis, and Grant.