State Evangelism Conference experiences rebirth, revitalization in Augusta

In the midst of singing It Is Well With My Soul, Reggie Sadler bent down in a crouching position, then stood on tiptoe and shouted in a high- pitched voice, “Whoopee!”

In fact, there were a lot of “whoopees” and “hallelujahs” at Abilene Church in Martinez near Augusta, as more than a thousand Georgia Baptist pastors and laity gathered March 1-2 for the State Evangelism Conference.

But not all of the shouting was confined inside the walls of the church. Comments in the parking lot after the sessions and in the restaurants at mealtime reflected a “hallelujah spirit” about the quality and tone of the meeting.

Mike Minnix, Vice President for Evangelism of the Georgia Baptist Convention, had obviously prayed, planned, and provided for all attendees a conference that was heaven-blessed, Spirit-filled, and Christ-honoring.

The choir and orchestra of Abilene Church, under the direction of Minister of Music Greg Bearden, provided soul-stirring music. The Saddler Family, always marked by Reggie’s animation and winsomeness, captivated the hearts of everyone with their inspiring music. Starla Harbin won the hearts of pastors and laity alike by pouring her whole heart into every song.

The combination of music and expositional preaching created an atmosphere of renewal not seen in recent years.

Perhaps Georgia Baptists have experienced somewhat of a dry spell in evangelism conferences. But if this most recent conference is any indication of what lies ahead, those who attended will be able to look back on the sessions at Abilene Church as the rebirth and revitalization of the Georgia Baptist Evangelism Conference.

Audiocassettes and videos are available for a nominal charge for each of the messages preached at the conference. A complete package of all sermons in a binder is available for $37.50. Orders should be placed through The Executive Office of Evangelism, Georgia Baptist Convention, 2930 Flowers Road South, Atlanta, Georgia 30321-5562.

Quotes from the Evangelism Conference

“The mark of a man’s character is determined by how he deals with small things and by how he treats people he doesn’t need.”
– Evangelist Junior Hill, Hartselle, Ala.

“If you love Jesus, you will love what he loves. You will love the Scriptures. You will love service. You will love the saints. You will love sinners.”
– Tony Dickerson; pastor, Pinehurst Church, Columbus; president, GBC

“We do not even know how to define the family anymore, but there is the Supreme Court in heaven that has said marriage is between one man and one woman.”
– Dean Haun, pastor, First Baptist Church Jonesboro

“We will not win this world to Christ with an anemic church. We must be bold and courageously proclaim the Gospel of Christ.”
– J. Robert White, Executive Director, GBC

“Joseph did not doubt in the darkness what God had revealed to him in the light, because he stood on the Word of God.”
– Steve Hale, Evangelist

“We must recapture the exclusivity of Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation.”
–Toby Frost, Event Evangelism, North American Mission Board

“Believers often go through a dry spell in their spiritual pilgrimage, but God wants to send revival and showers of blessings.”
– Fred Luter, pastor, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans

“The Bible says when Jesus was baptized he came up straightway out of the water. You can’t come straightway out of a Dixie cup.”
– Herb Reavis, pastor of North Jacksonville Church, Jacksonville, Fla.