'Winter of Worship' Exceeding All Expectations
by Charlie Kincaid
January 11, 2006
(AgapePress) - - Pastor Mickey Brackin called it a vision from God. His fellow pastors feel the same way. Brackin, pastor of Mars Hill Baptist Church, called together five other pastors from area Baptist churches for lunch a few weeks ago, and through that meeting, a major idea was born. The event, called "Winter of Worship 2006," joins together six Lawrence County Baptist churches, with each church taking turns hosting a Sunday night worship service.
"One of the goals of the event is to bring more Christians together from different churches, to expand our worship," said Chad Moore, pastor of OK Baptist. "Also, each pastor is going to preach at a different church, rather than his own." Moore is one of the pastors who has helped Brackin to put the Winter of Worship together.
"This has been a wondrous event. God has once again amazed us all," Brackin said at the opening night, which drew over 500 participants. "This is much bigger than any of us expected."
Trinity Baptist hosted the first gathering, but due to space constrictions, Brackin loaned them the facilities at Mars Hill. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is a proud moment for all of God's people. Look at this packed house!" Chris Littrell, pastor of Trinity, proclaimed to the attendants.
Jeff Putman of Liberty Grove acted as the pastor to kick off the six-night event. "This is unbelivable. It's incredible!" Putman exclaimed.
The second night of the event was held at Loretto First Baptist Church, with Pastor Mark LaRue as host. The pastor for the night was Brad Lowery of New Prospect Baptist. The second night drew over 760 attendants.
"Wow. This is simply amazing. It's the most exciting thing going on in Lawrence County right now," said Bill Adams, associate pastor of New Prospect Baptist.
One of the event's crowning moments so far occurred last Sunday, the event's second night, when one of the children in attendance, a five-year-old girl, accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. "That was beautiful," Adams beamed. "It was really something."
The pastors said they were truly stunned at the massive turnout. "God showed all of us up again. The work He has performed has been amazing. We never realized how big this would be," Moore said excitedly.
Due to the overwhelming number of people in attendance, the next event -- to be held Sunday, January 15 -- will be at Mars Hill, with OK Baptist as the host church. Brother Mark LaRue will act as pastor. The following Sunday night, the event moves to the Old Crockett Theatre, with New Prospect Baptist as host.
Charlie Kincaid is a Christian journalist who resides in Tennessee.
