By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Several Louisiana Baptist churches will simulcast “The Return: National and Global Day of Prayer and Repentance,” a global prayer event planned for Sept. 26 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and their pastors are asking other Louisiana Baptists to join them in this time of repentance and revival, a special need, they said, during a time of division and unrest in the United States.
The tentative schedule includes scripture reading, prayer and times of praise and worship, and, the preliminary list of speakers includes: author Ruth Graham Lotz, Gateway Church (Dallas, Texas) Pastor Robert Morris, Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, Christian Broadcasting Network founder Pat Robertson, country music artist Pat Boone, and actor Kevin Sorbo.
Dustin Stockstill, pastor of Bedico Baptist Church in Ponchatoula, said his congregation chose to host the event to help their community refocus on God.
“A lot of good can come out of it,” Stockstill told the Baptist Message. “Revivals in America always started with a prayer meeting, whether it was a few or a large group of people. They realized the need for repentance and change and it grew from there. We are in a day when too many are letting fear drive them. We need to shift from worry to being the church. God is still God and is in control.”
Robbie Rollins, pastor of First Baptist Church in Oakdale, said “The Return” simulcast is a biblical response to a spiritual problem facing America.
“Our human solutions to the chaos in our land have failed and even worsened our dire conditions,” he said. “When we utilize the power of prayer as individuals and the compounded power of corporate prayer, the heart of God is stirred and the hand of God moves. Old and New Testaments alike point God’s people to prayer at all times, especially times of uncertainty.”
Beau Colle, director of missions for Delta Baptist Association, plans to attend “The Return” at the National Mall with his wife, Jo, daughter, Kimber, and son-in-law, Danny.
“Our country is facing challenges from all angles,” he said. “The answer is a return to God, to prayer and asking forgiveness. If we just get people to pray and pour out their hearts to God we can see a return to Him.”
Elwood Baptist Church in Forest Hill will not host a simulcast but plans to enlist three people to pray each day from Aug. 24 until Election Day on Nov. 3.
“We just need to pray for repentance individually and as a nation, and return to Him,” Pastor Michael Evans said. “Our nation certainly is going through some rough times. All we are asking is for the Lord to heal us and heal our land.”
For more information on hosting a simulcast, visit TheReturn.org.
