In what is being described as four nights of unity and renewal, the Come to Jesus Revival that took place last week at LaSalle High School in Olla is being deemed a huge success.
For the fifth year in a row, churches in LaSalle and surrounding parishes came together for a community-wide revival featuring some of the best music and preaching in the state.
Five churches initiated the event, including Olla First Baptist, Tullos First Baptist, Pinehill Baptist, Kelly Baptist (Caldwell Parish) and Christians Sharing Christ (Caldwell Parish). Members of these five churches joined with members of many other churches throughout LaSalle, Caldwell, Winn and Grant parishes.
On Sunday night, March 17, the special guest preacher was New Zion Missionary Baptist Church pastor G. Tomell Hamms of Winnfield. Hamms has been the featured speaker at several LaSalle events in recent years. He also preached Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
New Orleans’ Franklin Avenue Baptist Church pastor and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention Fred Luter was the special guest preacher for Monday night.
Music was led by DeVille’s Philadelphia Baptist Church Worship Leader Glenn Price Sunday through Tuesday. Philadelphia is one of Rapides Parish’s largest churches with a nearly 100-member worship choir and team.
On the final night, a free pizza event was held for all youth prior to the service and during the final service, the Caldwell Parish worship band KinetiK led worshippers in song prior to Hamms preaching.
“We averaged around 300 people each night and there were several churches represented from four parishes,” Tullos First Baptist Pastor Scott Smith said. “The unity was felt throughout the meetings.”
Organizers said that the total number of recorded decisions were not known but many lives were changed as a result of the community revival.
Plans are already underway for the 2025 Come to Jesus Community- wide Revival with details to be made know closer to that event.
