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I just wanted to brag on Jesus a little if you will let me. Many of you prayed for us here at Oakside for our revival and citywide outreach with Evangelist Bob Holmes last week. I can honestly say that our Lord did “exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ask or think”. We had 6 souls saved between Saturdays youth rally and Wednesday nights service. God moved in our services and our people responded like never before. Bob was in every middle and high school in our county during the day and was very well received by the students and staff alike with his 1-Man Volleyball Team getting their attention and causing them to really listen to his message. He is somewhat limited in what he can say in that setting, but he walked the line close and many students, faculty and administration echoed the sentiments of one business man in town who said “it is good to see God and the Bible back in our schools even if it is only for a week”. We prayed and invited and worked all week for the Thursday night rally held in the largest gym in our county, seating capacity of 1200. The kids were invited all week, we passed out 10,000 tickets for free admission and pizza to come. He was scheduled to play some teams from LaGrange College and the Auburn Football team.
When we opened the doors, they started coming. By 6:45, we had a good crowd. At 7 pm, we were full, and at 7:15 we had to turn people away because we were way beyond capacity with close to 1400! They were filling the bleachers, sitting on the floor surrounding the court, standing in the doorways and stairwells. It was spectacular! Our folks were downstairs praying and rejoicing at what God had done. Bob played a couple of games and then took a break to speak. For a public audience in a high school gym, you could sense the presence of God because very few left or moved around, there was very little commotion or disruption, and for 20 minutes Bob preached the blessed Gospel of Christ. He preached it straight, hard, passionate, without compromise. It was like a church service with some amens and applause from time to time. I saw many faces glued to his every word and it was evident people were hungry. When he gave the invitation, it was unusually quiet I thought and when he asked for folks to raise their hand if they wanted to be saved, hands literally went up all over the place. Our folks were watching and honestly, close to 700-800 hands went up. I have never experienced any thing like it! Bob led people through the sinners prayer and then asked them to turn in their registration card if they were serious about what they had done. We had 287 response cards turned in to the glory of God!!! As we sorted through them, there were whole families who made decisions for Christ, teachers at the schools who had seen him earlier and then come back, some of the players too!!
Our church is excited and anxious to get to the follow up. We had great services Sunday with 6 new families that visited for the first time, all as a result of being exposed to our ministry on Thursday. Many people enquired about our church and where we are and many, including the school leaders and administration thanked us for bringing such a “positive message” to the kids of Troup County. LaGrange College is looking at bringing Bob back to their campus for a rematch against their teams and to “speak” to their students. Can you believe that? God is amazing!!
Sunday night we had a 2 hour church service as the testimonies and praises started and seemed like they would never end. Folks who have not publicly spoken since I have been here, testified to what God did in their heart and how they rejoiced at what they had seen and heard. Some were able to witness to folks that were there who could not get into the gym and were heart broken at the stories and hurts of the people they met. One of our men wept as he relayed “ They packed out a gym and were hungry to hear the message. God broke my heart that we have not done enough to take the message to them”. I’m telling you, I come from a very reserved Midwest Baptist Background but I just about had a spell!!!
This week has changed our church in so many ways. God did what we have prayed 6 months for him to do. He has opened doors for us and more importantly I think, he has opened up our people to serve and do as He commands us. We had 3 men in the office all day Monday helping to organize and prepare for all the follow-up visits that we are going to do and 18 showed up last night for visitation to get started. God has given us several hundred hungry prospects and our folks are excited about going to them and serving Jesus.
I hope you do not think that I am bragging. Many of you prayed for us and I am grateful. God is so good and my heart is so full. My staff and are literally overwhelmed at the task and also the workforce that is ready and willing to step up and be counted. I just wanted to thank you and praise his name! God’s hand is upon Bob’s ministry. His preaching is powerful and to the point. He is a preacher first and foremost. His heart is help the church and to see folks saved. He is not afraid to take the Gospel into the enemies camp. If you would like to know more about him or how to contact him just give me a call here at the church or drop me an email. I would love to hear from you. Bob will help your church. God bless you and thanks for your time and prayers for Oakside Baptist.
Because of Calvary,
Bro. Curry