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‘Out of the box’ evangelism fuels church’s unexpected growth

An emphasis on “out of the box” evangelism has helped bring about a recent uptick in baptisms and worship attendance at First Baptist Church Leesville, Louisiana.
  • August 26, 2023
  • Brian Blackwell, Louisiana Baptist Message
  • Featured, Latest News, Louisiana
(Photo courtesy of the Baptist Message)

‘Out of the box’ evangelism fuels church’s unexpected growth

An emphasis on “out of the box” evangelism has helped bring about a recent uptick in baptisms and worship attendance at First Baptist Church Leesville, Louisiana.

“When people walk into our church, there is a level of excitement of what God is going to do,” pastor Darin Worthington told the Baptist Message. “Our people are excited about what God is doing. Even though we may be a smaller church in size, God is using us to accomplish so many amazing things for Him.”

Since September, the church has celebrated 32 baptisms, compared to eight the previous year; and the most baptisms in any single year for the church, since 2016, when they recorded 19.

Church growth

Meanwhile he church has seen growth in Sunday worship attendance, increasing from 100 in January 2022 — when Worthington became pastor — to 200 in early August. FBC Leesville will celebrate its 125th anniversary, Sept. 17.

To read more, click here.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Brian Blackwell and originally published by the Baptist Message, newsjournal of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. 

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