SBCV 2nd in Baptisms among All State Conventions

                                                                                                           Vol. XII, No. 8, September 1999

SBC of Virginia churches rank second in the country right behind Florida in baptisms per church according to SBCV research.

"The reason for this kind of success is the blessing of God, number one," said Mark Baldwin, SBCV church leadership coordinator. "It's one thing to have an evangelistic mission statement and quite another to attempt to fulfill it. But that seems to be what's happening." 

More than one-third of SBCV churches enabled themselves to evangelize their communities for Christ through the new FAITH evangelism training program. And these churches continue to experience God's blessing and report how the Lord is using FAITH to reach many people for Christ. One church reported that during the sixteen-week training session two teams' efforts collectively garnered 30 conversions to Christ. Other churches experience revival as members learn how to, and actually begin sharing the gospel with others.

"The numerous reports lead to one blatant observation: 'FAITH' works!" Mark says. "It seems pretty simple: If we want to evangelize more people, then we need to train more people in the FAITH program."

Money should be no object for those who want FAITH training, Mark notes: "We still have scholarship money to help pastors and members pay for the upcoming three training sessions scheduled for next year. So if others want to see the kind of results the FAITH program can deliver, then they need to contact me as soon as possible."

FAITH is an evangelistic tool working through the Sunday School of any size church to reach people for Christ, explained Mark. "If your church is not yet participating in FAITH, take the time to prayerfully consider it."

Churches may receive $375 in scholarship money: $225 for the pastor and $75 each for up to two members. Call the SBCV office at 804-270-1848 to receive a scholarship application.