By Brian Blackwell. Message Staff Writer
WINNSBORO – Churches in Deer Creek Baptist Association held prayer meetings and individual times of prayer leading up to their first-ever simultaneous cluster revivals, which took place February 17-22.
The multi-pronged effort featured inspiring messages at a different church each evening by Gevan Spinney, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Haughton, in the southern half of churches and Rubin Weaver, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, Farmerville, in the northern half of churches.
By the end of the revivals, several repented to turn to Christ and many more repented to restore fellowship with Him.
“We focused not only on evangelistic services but preaching to and challenging the church for the church to be all it could be and go outside the church doors into the community,” said Eddie Rhymes, director of missions for Deer Creek Association. “Our churches were challenged to move beyond our buildings and out into our communities.”
In the past, churches in Deer Creek Association held cluster revivals at different locations, but never two revival services taking place at different churches on the same evening. This year, associational leadership opted to change up its outreach with the simultaneous services.
“We’ve had many of our churches mention they really hope we can do this again because of the unity we experienced as many congregations coming together as one for six nights,” Rhymes said. “There is something about pulling people together from all the churches. It strengthens the spirit and enhances it, which will set us up wonderfully for another harvest of souls.”
Leading up to the simultaneous revivals, 10 pastors gathered in the associational office for a prayer meeting, and members of churches were reminded to pray individually. Others gathered to pray at the altar prior to the start of the revival services each night.
“The prayers strengthened the spirit of our revivals and the speakers who delivered their Gospel messages,” Rhymes said. “And it also strengthened those who did the praying. When we come together to pray, it affects us as well as those we pray for. We saw entire families come down and kneel at the altar each night as they asked God to send revival to themselves.”
Association moderator Craig Beeman, also pastor of the First Baptist Church, Winnsboro, was moved with a challenge from Spinney to share Christ with their community.
“I feel God spoke through Brother Gevan to move us to consider where we are in service to Him,” Beeman said. “As churches, we are not where we should be in reaching out to those who are lost. I feel Brother Gevan helped us to focus on being who we say we are.”
