A recent outbreak of spontaneous revivals across Georgia led to 17 salvation decisions in one week at two Christian learning centers in the northeastern corner of the state.
Mike Blount, mission strategist in the Tugalo Baptist Association, said those professions of faith were among 30 made since August in two local learning centers where public school students come to study the Bible in off-campus classes.
“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 two weeks ago during a chapel service.
‘Mighty movement of God’
University president Donald Dowless called what happened at Shorter “a mighty movement of God.”
“It was amazing, just watching God move,” said Georgia Baptist Convention President Kevin Williams who was the preacher at the chapel service.
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.”
‘It all begins with prayer’
Georgia Baptist Mission Board consultant Tim Williams said to see people saved requires more than just scheduling revival meetings or starting a new evangelism initiative.
“It all begins with prayer,” he said.
Blount, who became mission strategist in Tugalo two years ago, said the 43 churches in his association wanted to do more to reach children and teens. In the process of praying about how to do that, he said, the Lord impressed upon him the need for the learning centers.
The association opened two learning centers in August, one in Stevens County and another in Banks County. The association hopes to open a third in Franklin County this fall. Statewide, about 36 learning centers are in operation.
“We talk about pushing back the lostness in Georgia,” Blount said. “This is a great way to do that. Learning centers are a secret that doesn’t need to be kept.”
Blount said churches in the Tugalo association are funding their learning centers to the tune of about $200,000 a year, knowing the return on investment will be measured in souls saved.
“The churches have really gotten behind it,” he said. “It’s been such a blessing to see the success of this ministry. The Lord’s hand is on it.”
Students come to the learning centers throughout the school day for classes that last an hour and a half, which allows time for devotions, prayer and instruction.
“It’s so beneficial for the students,” Blount said. “A lot of these kids have never heard the gospel. Many have never even read the Bible. We make it safe place for them, a place where they can share what they’re thinking and talk about what they believe.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Roger Alford and published by The Christian Index, news service of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.
