Chapter 3 – Preparation for Revival Meetings Real World Examples of God at Work—Could it Happen in Your Church? “God-sized” revival experienced after church of 200 prays, prepares itself ELKTON, Md. (BP)—A “God-sized” revival fell upon First Baptist Church, Elkton, Maryland, with 93 professions of faith and 30 rededications in services beginning Palm Sunday and culminating Easter Sunday First Baptist is a small church of about 200 (including the babies), just across the Maryland line from Delaware. Most of the professions of faith were residents in the surrounding area who were not church members. People were saved at each of the services during the revival. Asked how momentum toward the revival began, said the pastor, “God convicted us that we just weren’t leading people to the Lord. So we sought His face and His will, individually and collectively, and prayed for revival. And we received exceedingly abundantly more than we asked.” “The planning and preparation paid off,” the pastor noted. Members of First Baptist had been asking the Lord for revival for more than seven months. Committees were formed, which were deacon-led (the church has only six deacons) to address the needs for prayer, counselor training, phone calls, visitation, publicity, and special emphasis nights. Evangelist Randy Hogue from Gadsden, Alabama, came and not only led in revival services, but also spoke to four student assemblies in three Cecil County public schools, teaching about drug awareness and abstinence and teen suicide. The pastor said the revival was not only within the church, but also within the community. This is evidenced by 65 of the 93 professions of faith being from youth in the community.
Looking Deeper The pastor said “the _____________________ and the _____________________ paid off.” What six committees were formed to prepare for the revival? _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________
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