'Franklin Awakening' revival planned May 30-June 2

A unique, four-day community revival celebration — being called “The Franklin Awakening” — will be held at 7 p.m., nightly Tuesday, May 30 through Friday, June 2 in the Franklin County High School Auditorium in Meadville.

Coordinated through the Franklin County Baptist Association and its director of missions, Wes Arnold, the outreach seeks to bring people from all walks of life together for a chance to worship, fellowship and embrace God’s unconditional love.

“This is a program we hope will go beyond the lines that often divide us — gender, race and church affiliation — with a goal of bringing people together as believers in Christ, the author of our salvation,” Arnold said.

“With so much divisiveness in our society, we felt like it was time to hold a series of services that will bless individuals and families, strengthen the faith of believers and introduce those without a personal relationship with Christ to His love for them.”

Arnold said the program has attracted a number of powerful speakers for each night of the event:
• Tuesday, May 30 — Fred Luter, who serves as senior pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, La.

Luter, who began his ministry in 1977, is a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention and was the SBC’s first African-American leader.

• Wednesday, May 31 — Dr. Tim Robinson, who is pastor of Plainview Baptist Church in Krum, Texas.

Robinson has served churches in Texas, Louisiana and Nevada, was on the faculty of New Orleans Baptist Seminary and his audio messages are heard across the United States and around the world.

• Thursday, June 1 — The Rev. Dr. Rickey O’Quinn, who pastors Saint Mark Baptist Church in Clayton and who is Franklin County’s Post 1 Justice Court judge.

• Friday, June 2 — Shawn Parker, who is the executive director and treasurer of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board.

“We are thrilled to have these men help lead the services, and we believe they will challenge hearts and lives to serve God’s purpose in families and our community,” Arnold said.

The program will also feature personal testimonies as well as inspiring music led by Evelyn Higgins on Tuesday, May 30; Luther Bolin on Wednesday, May 31; Chanse McMinn on Thursday, June 1; and Chavis Bradford on Friday, June 2.
In advance of the actual revival event, Arnold said several local congregations have scheduled a series of prayer meetings to uplift the planned gathering and seek God’s leadership, guidance and direction for the outreach.

“Everything starts with prayer and we are encouraging believers to come together to do just that,” he continued.

“We need prayer warriors to join in, lift their voices and help carry the torch as we look to God in making this a success.”

Those prayer sessions will start at 6:30 p.m., nightly at these locations with the community invited to participate:

• Tuesday, May 16 — Siloam Baptist Church.

• Thursday, May 18 — New Bethel Baptist Church.

• Tuesday, May 23 — First Baptist Church of Roxie.

• Thursday, May 25 — Ramah Baptist Church.

For additional information on the revival services or how to participate, contact Arnold by calling 318-230-0626.