Localized revivals that have been popping up across Georgia don’t appear to be slowing.
Churches reported mass numbers of salvation decisions during a recent week, including First Baptist Church Villa Rica, where 53 surrendered to Christ.
“We’re definitely seeing a move of God in Georgia like we haven’t seen in a long, long time,” noted First Baptist pastor Kevin Williams.
God moved in a special way during the church’s Passion play called, “He Took My Place,” Williams said. The play was written and directed by missions pastor Jeff Powell. The play spotlights Barrabas, the prisoner set free when Jesus was crucified.
More than 4,000 turned out for the play’s four showings, and at each one Williams gave an invitation.
‘Old life for a new one’
“You know who Barrabas is, right?” he would ask. “Barrabas is you. Barrabas is me. We’re all Barrabas. A great exchange took place at the cross. Because of the cross, you can exchange your old life for a new one.”
Tim Williams, associational mission strategist for Carrollton Baptist Association, said Antioch Baptist Church in Carrollton had 16 salvation decisions on a recent Tuesday.
“Evangelistic events still work,” he wrote in a Facebook post. “God is really blessing in a remarkable way.”
One Sunday First Baptist Church Pine Mountain saw seven men make professions of faith in Christ and three others recommit their lives. That was at a men’s steak dinner that was part of what the church billed, “Awaken Weekend.”
The week before in the small town of Bowdon, more than 32 made salvation decisions at a ministry outreach that drew some 900 people.
Several local churches worked together to organize the event, “Love Loud Bowdon,” that showered people with a variety of gifts ranging from appliances to groceries.
More revivals popping up
Georgia Baptist leaders began seeing localized revivals popping up all over the state last year, pushing up baptism numbers to 14,333 in 2022, an increase of nearly 2,000 from the previous year. And the revivals have continued into this year.
The state’s Deaf ministries also have been impacted, with five salvation decisions in recent weeks, a significant number in a state where 3% of the population live with hearing impairment.
Northside Baptist Church in Valdosta has seen 43 baptisms as of March and 67 since Christmas.
Others have seen big numbers of salvation decisions in single- or multi-day events, including Pleasant Valley South Baptist Church in Silver Creek, where 21 made professions of faith at sportsmen’s banquet; Dudley Baptist Church, where 42 made salvation decisions; and Hopeful Baptist Church Camilla, where 30 people made professions of faith.
In February, 41 surrendered to Christ at a wild game dinner at Bethel Baptist Church in Omega where some 400 men gathered.
In January, First Baptist Church in Blackshear reported 19 professions of faith at a venison supper. Another 28 recommitted their lives to Christ.
And in Cartersville, Cassville Baptist Church began the new year with nine baptisms, the first sign the spontaneous revivals were continuing into the new year.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Roger Alford and originally published by the Christian Index.
