April 27, 2024
Not since 2016 have Georgia Baptist churches reported so many baptisms — more than 21,000 of them in the past year.
And the good news is the number continues to grow as more congregations report.
The baptism numbers represent a more than 30% increase over the past year and a more than 90% increase since 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic had the state in its clutches.
It's exciting to see Georgia Baptists stepping up in an effort to accomplish the Great Commission to take the gospel into all the world. They, of course, are not overlooking their own corner of the world right here in Georgia.
The Index has written lots of stories about crusades, revival services, wild game dinners, fishing tournaments, block parties, and other evangelistic outreaches where many of the state’s 7 million unchurched residents have committed their lives to Christ.
What the Index has found is that our readers are clearly enthused about all that’s happening. Those stories are always among our most read, because it’s always exciting to hear that the Lord is still saving souls.
Perhaps you remember the junior college baseball player who baptized his teammates who came to faith in a Bible study he led on the campus.
Or maybe you recall the story about evangelist Rick Gage who has proven just what can happen when churches join together to pray for lost souls. Some 1,600 people responded to the gospel during a four-day crusade Gage led in the south Georgia town of Baxley.
Those are dramatic instances, but, never forget, even one salvation decision is reason to rejoice. So, kudos to every church that have sown gospel seeds and to every church that has repeated a harvest.
If your congregation wants to get in on the action but needs some guidance on how to get started, the Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s evangelism consultants are just a phone call away, and they’d love to share their insights.
