In Matthew 9:37-38, our Lord Jesus admonishes us that “the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”
Rosevelt MorrisIn response to this instruction from the Lord himself, the South Carolina Baptist Convention has challenged its churches to baptize at least one person during the calendar year 2006. This should be viewed as an outward manifestation of a much deeper challenge to seek spiritual awakening among our people and churches, not just as a statistic.
Recently, the convention staff spent considerable time contacting as many churches as they could reach who had not reported any baptisms thus far. It is cause for much praise and thanksgiving that 86 percent of the churches contacted have reported baptizing at least one person this year, and most of them have baptized more than one.
Carlisle Driggers, our executive director-treasurer, joins me in urging you to pray earnestly that those churches which have not met this goal of baptizing at least one person yet in 2006 will do so by the end of the calendar year. Further, we would ask that you call the office of prayer and spiritual awakening (803-765-0030 or 1-800-723-7242, ext. 5200) to let us know that your church is joining in this concerted prayer effort to pray daily that we will accomplish this worthy goal. Again, we turn to scripture for our inspiration in this effort as James 5:16 tells us that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Also, please be sure that you have reported to the convention any and all baptisms your church has celebrated this year.
Every day we are reminded of how desperately our world needs to know the Savior. The world begins at our doorstep. We must reach out to those whose lives we touch daily, and show them the way of eternal life. As they bear witness to their newfound life through the ordinance of baptism, our churches will see a new awakening, and this has the potential of causing not just ripples, but waves throughout the world, for the sake of the kingdom. All of this must begin in the heart of the individual believer – and all of this must be constantly, fervently, passionately founded in prayer! Talk with your Father. More importantly, listen for his still, small voice. And obey.
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