Spring is one of the main times of the year when Baptist churches across the state hold revivals.
First Baptist Church in Hazel Green (Madison Association) has been holding revival services this week. To prepare for the revival, First Baptist members held more than three days of continuous prayer at the church.
Each participant spent an hour in prayer at the church between 1:00 a.m. Thursday and 9:00 a.m. Sunday.
Pastor Bobby Eads reminded church members, “Revival is not something that is scheduled. It is something that happens when God’s people get honest with Him.”
In January, McElwain Baptist Church in Birmingham called a new pastor, Bro. Ron Wilcoxson. Born in Missouri, Bro. Wilcoxson previously served churches in Georgia, Texas and Florida.
McElwain recently held a four day spiritual emphasis called “Renewing Our Passion.” It was preceded by four weeks of prayer. At the end of that period, every church member and every regular attender was asked to set aside the 24-hour period starting at 6:30 Friday for fasting and prayer.
McElwain’s people were reminded that a fast can be a complete withdrawal from all food and drink, or it can be a withdrawal from food, with the intake of water or fruit juice. They were asked to fast and pray “for God to have His way in us and among us.”
Churches reach out
Brother Wilcoxson said, “We are here to reach this community for Christ.”
In September McElwain plans to add a contemporary worship service at 9:45 followed by a contemporary Sunday School.
In February 2000, First Baptist Church of Center Point bought 22 acres of land 15 miles to the north at the Argo exit of Interstate 59.
Pastor Ryan Whitley said the historic church will also continue where it is, with “two futures, two campuses, two generations.”
This year the church has provided its members with booklets to guide them in spending 15 minutes with God each day concentrating on Scripture and prayer.
The church’s Hispanic ministry continues to grow, with about 120 people attending a recent service.
At Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Center Point, Bro. Phil Jones served as the church’s associate pastor for nine years before being called as pastor just over a year ago.
A native of Indiana, Bro. Jones was an engineering student at Purdue when he was called into the ministry.
Ridgecrest members are worshiping in the gym while their sanctuary is being renovated.
Brother Jones said church members have been “very enthusiastic” about the renovation work and noted they are helpful and flexible.
The church plans to stay at the same location “as long as the Lord wants us to stay and reach people of this area,” Bro. Jones said.
Ridgecrest is working diligently as it searches for the best ways to minister to people in the Lord’s name.
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