October 2, 2026
CAMILLA, Ga. – More than 30 people have made salvation decisions in the Camilla area since Sunday as localized revivals continue to spread across Georgia.
Hopeful Baptist Church Pastor Clay Cloud said 12 people surrendered their lives to Christ in revival services that began on Sunday and another 20 made professions of faith at a community gathering where the revival preacher shared the gospel.
“We had great conviction in every service,” Cloud said. “You could tell people were dealing with the Lord.”
Similar spiritual movements have become common all across Georgia over the past year with congregations reporting single-day salvation decisions ranging from a few dozens to nearly 200 in church sanctuaries and at community events.
As a result, Georgia Baptist churches reported 14,333 baptisms in the past year, up from 12,865 the previous year. The latest numbers account for only slightly more than half of the state’s 3,400 churches, so the total number of baptisms could be far higher.
Two weeks ago, 41 people surrendered to Christ at a wild game dinner in the fellowship hall at Bethel Baptist Church in Omega where some 400 men had gathered for a meal that included a variety of wild game, including deer, hog and quail.
Pastor Troy Dykes said members of his congregation had been praying for a harvest of souls and the Lord answered those prayers among a group of camo-clad guys, many of whom are more accustomed to sitting in tree stands than church pews.
“God moved like we had never seen Him move before,” Dykes said. “It’s a fantastic feeling to know God used our event to change men’s lives.”
Over the past year, places for the localized revivals varied. Some were indoors, some outdoors. Some people were saved on front porches, some in theaters, some on college campuses, and some in church sanctuaries.
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.
Two-time Bassmaster Classic champion Hank Parker, an outdoor legend, shared his Christian testimony at the event, and the people responded.
In north Georgia, Cassville Baptist Church began the new year with nine baptisms, the first sign that the spontaneous revivals were continuing into the new year.
“There’s nothing else we can credit this to other than the moving of the Spirit and faithful obedience to what God has called us to.” said Cassville Pastor Andrew Hackler.
At Hopeful Baptist Church, evangelist Tim Williams, the mission strategist in the Carrollton Baptist Association, said, in addition to the salvation decisions, many others rededicated their lives to Christ.
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