
DATE: Sunday, September 14, 1997            TAG: 9709120178

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 12   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:  100 lines

BAPTIST CHURCHES UNITE THEIR EFFORTS TO `BRING BACK THE GLORY'

Since its birth, the United States experienced three great revivals - none in this century.

``That means there has been no unified prayer across the country, no restoration of righteousness and/or moral reformation in our society in the 20th century,'' said Chris Kirk, scheduling director of Life Action Ministries, a missions organization.

``There have not been a large number of conversions to the gospel in Christ,'' he said, ``nor has there been a renewed interest in missions. Great missionary endeavors were seen in the three great revivals.''

Those revivals, or awakenings, are explored in ``Bring Back the Glory,'' a multi-media sight and sound production to be presented Wednesday at First Baptist Church.

It offers a plea for revival as it portrays the biblical basis for revival, relying on 20th century technology which many of today's religious leaders rely on to present God's message.

``The problem with the 20th century,'' Kirk said, ``is that, in spite of all the technology, and our evangelistic efforts, we have not experienced the lifesaving power and presence of God.

``Our greatest evangelistic effort can only boast of a 3 to 5 percent conversion rate - and I'm being conservative. During the great awakenings there was an 80 percent conversion rate,'' he said, explaining that conversion means ``people who made professions and were truly converted.''

Thousands of people make professions of faith during the Billy Graham crusades, Kirk referring to most of them as ``professors, not possessors. A lot of people fill out cards, but go back into their communities unchanged.

``That was not the case with the great awakenings,'' he said. ``Such things as strip joints, bars, prostitution, and so on - all declined drastically in the great awakenings.

``There is increasing immorality in our society,'' Kirk said. ``If there is a presence of God in a community, men will see their sins and turn away. This is not happening.''

The need for the fourth great awakening is explained in the free presentation, ``Bring Back the Glory,'' sponsored by First Baptist and Liberty Baptist Church.

It features singers, drama, integration of three-screen media, large-screen video, and special effects.

Liberty Baptist brought the program to Suffolk, but had no room for the massive undertaking. That is where First Baptist stepped in.

It takes about three hours to set up the presentation which includes numerous costume changes. The host churches feed the cast and crew of about 25, and try to find housing for them during their stay.

``Bring Back the Glory'' will make the church conscious of what it takes to have revival,'' said the Rev. T.A. Powell, pastor of Liberty Baptist. ``It will help us reach people for the Savior.''

That has been a goal of Life Action Ministries of Niles, Mich. since its founding in 1970 by Del Fehsenseld Jr. a former St. Petersburg youth pastor.

``God gave him a burden for revival, based on a personal experience he had,'' Kirk said. ``He had just cleared his conscience and was in the presence and power of God.''

Life Action shares its message of revival through its crusades in individual churches, its three publications, and its multimedia productions.

The organization has 140 staff members, most of whom raise their own money. Free-will offerings cover expenses.

The other Life Action productions are ``America, You're Too Young To Die,'' a call for repentance in the nation, and ``The Family - Holding On For Life,'' a call for a revival in the family.

Each church requests the offering they want. Powell asked for ``Bring Back the Glory,'' which traces America's three great awakenings.

``The first focused on the great preaching of Jonathan Edwards and George Whitfield,'' Kirk said. ``It was in 1770 - a call for revival in churches.

``The second great revival took place on college campuses and in the Western Plains,'' he said. ``It began with Timothy Dwight, Edwards' grandson, who was president of Yale. It started in the 1830s and lasted a couple of years.

``The population of the church grew 10 times faster than the population growth,'' Kirk said. ``The spirit of God literally moved across the country. People became sensitive to the convicting power of God.

``People who profaned God,'' he said, ``suddenly fell to their knees, in village squares across the country, crying out for God's mercy.

``The third great prayer revival - it lasted from 1857 to 1899 - began with the effort of Jeremiah Lamphier,'' Kirk said. ``He was a New York businessman who organized midday prayer meetings for businessmen. It spread all over the country.''

Increasing immorality is spreading all over the country today, he said.

``We need the presence of God,'' Kirk said. ``We need to have men see their sins and turn away. That is not happening.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo courtesy of FIRST BAPTIST AND LIBERTY BAPTIST

CHURCHES

``Bring Back the Glory,'' has singers, drama, special effects and a

multimedia presentation.

Graphic

ABOUT THE EVENT

WHAT: Life Action Ministries present ``Bring Back the Glory,''

sponsored by First Baptist and Liberty Baptist churches of Suffolk.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday.

WHERE: First Baptist Church, 237 North Main St.

COST: Free.

FOR INFORMATION: Call 539-3511 or 539-4152.