By Stewart Holloway
PINEVILLE, La. – I’ve heard people say, “If that doesn’t light your fire, your wood is wet.” I would say that about yesterday. It’s been a while since I had a 15 1/2 hour Sunday and was so jazzed when I got home that it was hard to come down. But yesterday was that.
First, we had baptisms in both services. In the first service, I baptized a father and daughter. That kind of baptism is always extra special, especially when the little girl says, “Yes sir!” with joy and certainty when I ask, “Have you trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?”
Second, in our second service, we honored a young man who made a difference in a kid’s life. That moment was moving as our entire congregation stood and clapped, some wiping tears from their eyes.
Third, we had our highest worship attendance since the shut down a year ago, falling just twenty-five people short of pre-Covid attendance. It was also good to see even more of our people back for the first time in a year. Every Sunday is like a homecoming now! We had powerful worship services. I got a text from one person watching online that simple read, “Glory!” People left saying, “I felt the Spirit today” and “I feel like I’ve been to heaven.”
Fourth, worship was followed by a productive meeting of our revival team filled with great vision and a lot of laughter.
Finally, we ended the night with a triumphant celebration of our Upward Sports season and more laughter with some of our staff. (Yes, we laugh a lot.) When I got home, my heart was filled as I looked at people’s posts from the day at church on social media. When I finally could try to go to bed, my prayer was simply, “Thank you, Lord.”
Today, our church begins 21 days of prayer for our upcoming revival services on March 21-24. If I was ready to pray for God to bring about breakthrough before yesterday, I’m especially ready today! I am excited to see what God is going to do over the next four weeks as we pray for and then move into our revival services.
We are already seeing the results of prayers by many of our people and our emphasis on Wednesdays during Prayer and Praise. What more shall we see as we all unite in prayer for spiritual breakthrough? When we gather in the name of Jesus, He comes to dwell with us and we experience intimacy with God. I’m looking forward to all that God will do. Let’s seek Him together and experience unity, gain confidence, and encounter Christ as we do!
Stewart Holloway is pastor of First Baptist Church in Pineville. This editorial first appeared on his Facebook page.
