Pastors and other leaders in the five Baptist associations of what is known as “District Eight” have been working for a year on the 2009 Festival of Hope, set for Sunday, March 22, in and around Prather Coliseum on the campus of Northwestern State University.
NATCHITOCHES – Pastors and other leaders in the five Baptist associations of what is known as “District Eight” have been working for a year on the 2009 Festival of Hope, set for Sunday, March 22, in and around Prather Coliseum on the campus of Northwestern State University.
Prayer meetings have been taking place at various locations; personal witnessing counselors have been trained by a member of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; and Fred Lowery, pastor of First Baptist Church, Bossier City, has been prayerfully selected as guest speaker.
“Churches all across District Eight are requested to ‘transfer’ their Sunday evening service and be a part of this exciting time of spiritual renewal and evangelistic outreach,” wrote Lee Dickson, director of missions for the DeSoto, Natchitoches, North Sabine, Red River and Sabine Baptist Associations in his March newsletter to churches in District Eight. “As you know, there are many ‘festivals’ in our state, but we need a real Festival of Hope in Jesus Christ.”
Ron Thompson, pastor of Trinity Baptist in Natchitoches, is chairman of the 2009 Festival of Hope.
The one-day festival is to begin with a Family Fest Block Party on the parking lot of the new Baptist Collegiate Ministries Center next to Prather Coliseum, Thompson said. Hosted jointly by the BCM, where Bill Collins is director, and by the Toledo Bend Baptist Resort Ministry, where Mary Gore is missionary, the block party is to start at 4:30 p.m. with inflatable bounce houses, face painting, games, food and other activities for children and families.
At 5:30 p.m., local gospel groups are to begin a Gospel Singing Celebration inside the coliseum. At 6:45 p.m., a mass choir of singers from local churches and First Baptist Bossier City are to begin preparing the congregation for the 7 p.m. worship service. Those interested in singing in the choir are to participate in a 5 p.m. choir rehearsal in Prather Coliseum.
“The central focus of the night is the worship service at 7 p.m. with Dr. Fred Lowery bringing the evangelistic message following a time of genuine Spirit-led worship with Eddie Colvin, also of First Baptist Bossier City,” Thompson said. “Following the worship service and decision time, a special event is being planned for youth, college and young adult to bring the evening to a conclusion.”
Many volunteers are needed, Dickson said; some to help with the block party, some to help with parking lot assistance, some as ushers, some as counselors, and more.
“However,” Dickson said, “please know that the most important thing you can do is pray, and then be a part of ‘Operation Andrew’ by bringing with you a person – or persons – who need a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
“Bring someone to Jesus that night just as Andrew in the New Testament brought his brother Simon Peter to Jesus so long ago,” Dickson continued. “It could well be the most important thing you ever do for someone you love.”
The pre-event prayer meetings are to culminate at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21, with scores of people assembling around the Natchitoches Down town Riverbank Stage for a time of music and prayer for the festival, the director of missions noted in his newsletter.
“This will be followed at 4 p.m. by a Prayer Walk from the Downtown Riverbank to the NSU campus, where we will circle the Prather Coliseum and pray for God’s Holy Spirit to draw people to Jesus Christ during the Sunday evening service,” Dickson said. “This will be an exciting time. Those with walking difficulties are encouraged to come and drive along with the group to the campus, and pray as you go.”