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By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
ALEXANDRIA – An exhibition by an extreme bicycle team and a block party yielded more than 200 decisions for Christ and making future contacts for churches during the recent CrossOver evangelistic effort.
Preceding the Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, CrossOver incorporated the events in Grant and Rapides parishes from Nov. 3 to 7.
Mirrored after the national event that takes place before the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, this was the eighth CrossOver to occur prior to the LBC Annual Meeting. A steering committee began planning in April and enlisted volunteers from among the 95 Louisiana Baptist churches that are members of Big Creek, Central Louisiana and North Rapides associations.
The first event held during CrossOver was a block party at Legacy Heights apartment complex in Alexandria on Nov. 3. Two churches near the apartment complex – Family of Grace and New Christian Life Fellowship – used inflatables, food and the LBC evangelism team’s block party trailer to reach those attending the event.
Of the more than 200 people who attended the block party, approximately 10 made first-time decisions for Christ. Additional contacts were made at the event.
The remainder of the week featured performances by Real Encounter Outreach from Springfield, Mo. The team showcased its motorcycle and BMX skills while delivering motivational speeches at 12 schools during the day. At each performance, Real Encounter invited the students to attend one of three Harvest Nights, where they will provide a more in-depth presentation of their bike skills as well as presenting the gospel.
A combined total of approximately 100 students and adults accepted Christ at the three Harvest Night events. Another 100 approximately made re-commitments and 12 indicated a call to serve in Christian ministry.
“Real Encounter did a fantastic job holding the young people’s attention and presenting the gospel in a clear and accurate way,” said Stephen Richardson, chairman for CrossOver and pastor of Colfax Baptist Church. “So it left no doubt as to why these people were coming forward during the invitation time. But follow-up will be crucial.”
For those who accepted Christ at the block party and Harvest Nights, they received a contact with someone from an area church soon after the events concluded.
Robert Daniel, director of missions for Big Creek, Central Louisiana and North Rapides associations, said contacting those within 72 hours of making their decision for Christ is critical.
“The longer you go, the chances of engaging someone in church, the chances go down fast,” Daniel said. “Overall, the Harvest Nights and block party had lots of energy. I think everyone was pleased with how CrossOver went.”
Richardson said he already had one of the youth join his church as a result of the event. The youth is scheduled to be baptized sometime in December.
“Anytime a young person comes to know the Lord and you know they have their lifetime in front of them to share the gospel with others, it should excite any pastor to come and be a part of bringing more youth to the Lord,” Richardson said. “As a state, according to the 2020 Commission report, we are failing to reach and baptize the children and youth. Things like this can help improve that statistic tremendously.”