Donkey ball draws crowd, but message draws participants to Christ

VERNON—For some, it’s rough riding on the way to heaven. There were more bumps and bruises than baskets made in a game of donkey basketball that featured area high school teachers, firefighters and a college softball team. But there were nearly as many people who came to faith in Christ.

The event was one in a weeklong series of evangelistic efforts in the Paducah, Childress, Vernon and Quanah area as part of Texas Hope 2010, a Baptist General Convention of Texas initiative to share the gospel with every person in the state by Easter 2010 and meet human needs.

About 1,000 people turned out for hamburgers, fun and camaraderie for the Vernon event. Thirty-nine people came forward to make first-time professions of faith in Christ, while others rededicated their lives. Sixty people made first-time professions of faith during the entire week of events that brought together 15 congregations.

“We thought this would be a good way to initiate getting the gospel to every person,” said Derrell Monday, Bi-Fork Baptist Area director of missions. “God’s done a good thing. It’s opened a door as we go door-to-door.”

Tommy Spencer, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Vernon, said the cooperation of churches in the area is a reflection of their desire to see God’s kingdom grow, not simply grow individual congregations. God has honored that desire and has brought people to know him as a result of the Baptists’ efforts, Spencer stressed.

Through Texas Hope 2010, the Bi-Fork Area is seeking to share the hope of Christ with every person in the region. These evangelistic events were the start of that effort.

“Texas Hope 2010 is a huge part of this,” Spencer said. “We’re doing a number of things to reach the community.”

Ronnie Lambert, pastor of First Baptist Church in Paducah, said three people came to know Christ as a result of a revival.

“It was a good experience,” he said. “It’s something we are privileged to do in the future.”

BGCT Evan-gelism Director Jon Randles praised the work of Bi-Fork Bap-tists, noting their commitment to reach people who live in their neighborhoods.

“Instead of holding associational rallies that bring together the same group of believers each year, these chur-ches planned events together that would not only reach a larger section of their communities, but pre-Christians, as well,” he said. 

“It took a lot of teamwork, planning and prayer. The re-sults were outstanding. Evan-gelism is hard work, but the bottom line is lives changed. These churches and their pastors put energy and creativity into this plan, and God blessed. This kind of effort will work in many places around our state.”