Florida
Instead of its usual Christmas production, Bell Shoals Church in Tampa, Florida, released a half-hour film, “Nothing Wasted,” focused on the truth “that God is truly able to redeem the seemingly worst of circumstances.” The film focuses on the life of Bruce Roberts, Bell Shoals’ next generation pastor, who experienced a tumultuous childhood before making his faith profession in college. The film can be viewed on YouTube or Facebook.
Georgia
Moved by families in need amid COVID-19, Georgia native Trevor Lawrence, who recently completed his stint as Clemson University’s quarterback, and his fianceé Marissa Mowry have established a relief fund to provide direct assistance to families in Georgia’s Bartow County and two communities in upstate South Carolina, Georgia Magazine reported. “We believe as Christians it is our responsibility to love and serve those around us, especially during this pandemic,” Lawrence said. For more information, visit communityfoundationnwga.org/lawrence-mowry-fund.
Louisiana
Disaster relief chaplains distributed 1,955 Bibles and shared the gospel with 1,428 people from late August until late September in areas of Louisiana impacted by Hurricane Laura. They saw 297 professions of faith. Additionally, in the hurricane’s aftermath, volunteers ministered in practical ways — preparing 413,846 meals, offering 10,640 showers and completing 1,485 chainsaw jobs, 185 temporary roofing jobs and 137 debris removal jobs, the Baptist Message reported.
Mississippi
As COVID cases surge, churches in Mississippi are grappling with difficult decisions. Highland Colony Baptist Church in Ridgeland, Mississippi, experienced an outbreak in the fall and temporarily shut down. Since then, Pastor Jay Richardson, hospitalized for five days with the virus, said, “I’ve made the decision that unless it’s a very, very unique situation, we’re not going to shut this church down anymore,” explaining that not worshipping together hurts members emotionally and spiritually, the Clarion Ledger reported.
Tennessee
Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee, is experiencing revival as 99 people were baptized in a Dec. 20 Sunday service, followed by many others subsequently being baptized by Pastor Robby Gallaty in their bathtubs at home and others being baptized in a special Dec. 22 church service. Gallaty points to the impact of people’s testimonies in what he’s calling “a movement of God that I’ve never experienced.”
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