3017 Baptisms

                                                                                                                                                    Vol. XI, No. 4, April 1998

In 1997 the 158 churches aligned with the SBCV recorded 3,017 baptisms. 350 of these were at Thomas Road BC, Lynchburg. Even not counting Thomas Road, the other 129 SBCV churches averaged 15.7 baptisms. Including the Thomas Road record, the average was 19.1 baptisms. Considering that 20 to 25% of all Southern Baptist churches do not baptize even ONE person a year and another 40% baptize four or less, the SBCV average is outstanding. However, considering that every Christian is commanded by our King to be a soul-winner, we have a long way to go. Raising up godly children to the Lord and witnessing to the unsaved are the two things we can do while on earth that we will not be able to do in heaven. In the months and years to come let every member of every SBCV church strive to win at least one lost person to the Lord every year.