October 18, 2024
SYLVESTER, Ga. – More than 100 people made professions of faith during an evangelistic outreach sponsored by churches in southern Georgia last week, a continuation of the localized revivals being reported in communities across the state.
“People are extremely open to talking about spiritual matters since the pandemic,” said Tim Williams, an evangelism consultant for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. “Everyone knows someone who has been sick or who has died as a result of COVD-19, and that has caused people to open their eyes to spiritual matters.”
The number of salvation decisions skyrocketed across Georgia when churches returned to pre-pandemic activities, including revival services, community outreaches, block parties and more.
In northeast Georgia, 17 salvation decisions were reported earlier this month at two Christian learning centers where public school students go for Bible studies. Mike Blount, mission strategist in the Tugalo Baptist Association, said those professions of faith were among 30 made since August in the learning centers.
“It’s amazing to see what God is doing,” Blount said.
Other ministry leaders also have used the word “amazing” to talk about instances of revival, including at Shorter University where 24 students made decisions for Christ during a chapel service in late February.
Shorter President Donald Dowless called what happened “a mighty movement of God.”
In Moultrie, Kingwood Baptist Church Pastor Matt Greene reported 30 salvation decisions during a four-day revival in early February. That’s in a church with average Sunday attendance of about 80 people.
“Yes, revivals still work,” Greene said afterward. “The Lord is doing a great work down here. He really is.”
In Sylvester, Georgia Baptist churches joined together to organize last week’s outreach. They brought in JJ Weeks Band whose music is a staple on contemporary Christian radio nationally. They also brought in two speakers – Mercer University football standout Riley Adcock to share his Christian testimony and Williams to preach a gospel sermon.
Donnie Duncan, pastor at First Baptist Church in Sylvester who was a key organizer of the event, said church leaders were “astounded and amazed” to see God move in such “a wonderful way.”
“We had about 10 churches that were actively involved in the planning of the event,” he said.
Williams said the revival fire he’s seeing within Georgia congregations is refreshing, especially after the COVID-induced lag of the past two years.
“Some churches are seeing this as an open window to engage people, and to do it quickly because they recognize that it’s time to get moving,” he said.
More than 1,500 Georgia Baptists turned out for regional evangelism training events sponsored by the Georgia Baptist Mission Board in February and early March, an indicator that the state’s largest religious group is ready to get back to the kind of soul-winning it has historically been known for.
“This is the largest turnout we’ve seen in years,” said JJ Washington, the Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s evangelism catalyst who organized the multi-site and multi-day conference. “We’re seeing renewed excitement in both the pulpits and the pews to win our state for Christ.”
