By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
ZWOLLE, La. (LBM) – Mary Gore has seen many souls added to the Kingdom during 32 years of “fishing for men” as director of the Toledo Bend Resort Ministry.
With the help of staff and hundreds of volunteers, the Gospel has been shared at more than 30 parks, marinas and low-income housing projects through worship services, block parties, fishing tournaments and area fairs.
HARVESTS REAPED
This year, the ministry has reaped Gospel fruit because of multiple outreach events:
— During Easter weekend, volunteers from 15 churches shared Christ’s love during a block party attended by 250 people at Wildwood Resort in Zwolle and 128 at a worship service held during the block party that Saturday morning. There were also 30 people who attended the ministry’s first Easter Sunrise service the next morning on the pier at Wildwood Resort.
— In May, eight people made decisions to follow Jesus through a children’s fishing tournament at San Miguel State Park in Zwolle.
— In July, a team from First Baptist Church, Cotton Valley, Texas, saw three people indicate a need to come to Christ during a Backyard Bible Club held at several apartment buildings in Zwolle.
— Also in July, a team from First Baptist Church, Spurger, Texas, coordinated a backyard Bible club at an apartment complex in Zwolle and conducted a Vacation Bible School with Middle Creek Baptist Church in Florien.
— In August, the ministry took part in a back-to-school rally at Many Elementary School and volunteers gave 175 students from across Sabine Parish the opportunity to receive some of the physical supplies they will need for a successful school year. Additionally, these students with their 84 family members in attendance were shown love, support and encouragement by more than 40 volunteers from multiple churches and community organizations from Sabine Parish and beyond.
“This been one of best years for God to allow us to see results,” Gore told the Baptist Message. “Prayers of His people and faithfulness to remind us He is still going to move in response to our obedience. We have planted seeds and been blessed to see His fruit.”
The ministry has celebrated several new additions.
In April 2024, the ministry celebrated the opening of a new 4,000-sq.-ft. meeting facility that will allow others to grow in their relationships with Christ and become better equipped to share the Gospel in the area and beyond. The building, which replaced a meeting facility used since it was built in the early 1970’s, has provided a more comfortable place for groups to worship, have training events and host small meetings.
Later in the year, the ministry received a grant from the Georgia Barnette Louisiana Missions Offering that helped purchase a new ministry truck and trailer.
“This has helped us be more recognized,” Gore said. “We’ve even had opportunities to pray with people who stopped us after seeing the truck.”
Gore asked for continued prayers as they seek to impact the lost population in Sabine Parish.
“Pray for God to raise up local volunteers to continue and increase the impact of our local ministries, i.e. campground worship services and visitation and our local fair and festival ministry.
“Pray for mission teams to come during the summer of 2026 to assist with Backyard Bible Clubs held in apartment complexes across Sabine parish and to assist smaller membership churches with their Vacation Bible Schools.
“Pray that the Gospel will continue to be shared in a clear and concise manner that is appropriate for children and youth at our annual children’s fishing event and that children, teenagers and adults will continue to hear and respond to the Gospel message and surrender their hearts and lives to Jesus.
“Pray that God would raise up interns, both year-round and during the summer, to assist with the ministries currently being conducted and allow us to expand and reach to have the opportunity for an increased impact for the Kingdom.”
Named for the first executive director of Louisiana Baptists’ Woman’s Missionary Union, the Georgia Barnette Louisiana Missions Offering’s Month of Prayer is set for Sept. 1-30, with a goal of raising $1.8 million.
