October 2, 2026
MCINTYRE, Ga. — In 25 years as pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship in McIntyre, Bill Harpe has not witnessed anything like what is happening right now at the 29-year-old church.
“I’m just proud to be a part of it,” Harpe declared. “The Lord is just really working right now.”
On Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, at Balls Ferry State Park on the Oconee River, New Hope had an old-fashioned river baptism. Fourteen people were baptized in front of a crowd of around 70 people. They topped the event off with a fish fry.
The baptism was streamed on the church's Facebook page, and more than 2,300 people have viewed it. Harpe presented the gospel before the baptism. “That is 2,300 people who have heard the gospel,” he said.
In the past couple of months, the church has seen visitors every week. “A couple of families here and a couple of families there. It’s mind-blowing.”
The river baptism is a result of a couple who recently joined the church. The lady, in her thirties, expressed to Harpe that she went through the motions when she was younger, was baptized, and that it didn’t mean anything to her. “I’d really like to rededicate my life and be baptized, but do you think we could do it down at the river?” she asked Harpe. He replied, “I guarantee we can have it down at the river. And, we can throw in a fish fry.”
One couple was baptized who had been saved a few months earlier and just never took the next step. Harpe noted that some people are nervous about doing baptism at the church and are more comfortable in a laid-back river setting. “Having it outside changed it up a bit,” he explained.
Harpe said a couple of women were baptized by their husbands.
He described the scene, saying, “It was so sweet. When one of them came up, she turned and hugged and kissed her husband, and they both cried together.”
Throughout the year, the church sees a few baptisms. Most of those are a result of the church’s biggest outreach: Vacation Bible School.
This river baptism, however, isn’t a result of VBS. It’s something completely different.
The church is experiencing a surge in enthusiasm and growth.
New Hope is a small church, located between McIntyre and Milledgeville. “You have to know where we are to get to us,” Harpoe said, adding, “If one family is missing, then you know it.” The average attendance is about 60 or 70 each Sunday.
Recently, on a Wednesday night, the church started having a meal, a devotion, and prayer. Attendance at the meal averages between 50 and 55.
Harpe can’t put his finger on one particular thing that has led to the growth. “We have a group of people who have a heart for others and want them to experience what we have," he said. "We just have a great fellowship.”
The growth in the past six months includes several new young families, even though few families are moving into the church’s area. Wilkinson County is mostly rural, with a few towns. Harpe said new attendees are coming from those towns. “It’s all from word of mouth.”
New Hope church members are on fire for God, inviting others to come, are very accepting of all people, and are a helpful and motivated congregation, Harpe explained. They are asking what they can do to help reach people. “It’s a laid-back group of folks,” commented Harpe.
Harpe says he hasn’t changed his preaching or the message; it’s been consistent. “We have tried for so long to get people on fire and to come.” Each Sunday, the attendees are like sponges, he said. "They hang on every word you say. They really want to make the best of their life. It’s unexplainable.”
Where once it was difficult to find volunteers, Harpe says now he hears, "What can I do?"
Harpe advises churches that are struggling not to let the devil get into their heads and make them think they are useless. “It takes time and patience," he explained. "Sometimes you work and you don’t see the harvest. This is one time where the Lord let me experience the harvest.”
Harpe urges other congregations to hang in there. "You never know when that time is coming," he concluded, "But, when it does come, it is so sweet!”
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