They turned to Christ.
During this year’s Mississippi State Fair, Baptist volunteers engaged in meaningful discussions about faith with attendees, resulting in 373 individuals choosing to follow Christ. The event saw the involvement of nearly 200 volunteers from the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board (MBCB), who have maintained their outreach at the fair since 2021. Linda Burris, a representative of MBCB, reported a remarkable total of 2,824 conversations centered around the Gospel, showcasing a steady increase in the number of individuals making faith commitments each year.
To support those who made their faith decisions during the fair, the state convention office distributes Gospel tracts, personalized letters, and discipleship resources to new believers. Volunteers meticulously track their conversations by assigning unique numbers to each individual, allowing for effective follow-up later. The data collected is organized by location and shared with local church leaders, ensuring that new converts can connect with congregations in their area.
Burris described the fair experience as both exhilarating and challenging, noting that it fosters greater confidence among volunteers who may not often share their faith. She pointed out that many participants find the act of sharing the Gospel to be more approachable than they initially thought, which makes the experience fulfilling, especially when they hear uplifting stories from others eager to explore their beliefs.
In recent years, similar large-scale gatherings have emerged across various venues, including college campuses and beach events, where individuals have publicly affirmed their Christian faith. For example, Harvest Ministries recently conducted the second annual Jesus Revolution Baptism at Pirate’s Cove Beach in California, resulting in approximately 2,000 baptisms.
Furthermore, a Gospel outreach event at Texas A&M University’s Corpus Christi campus attracted around 1,500 students, with over 60 choosing to be baptized. Tarik Whitmore, the New Life Young Adults Pastor who played a key role in organizing the event, shared that many attendees experienced significant moments of salvation, healing, and spiritual renewal. The event concluded with a commissioning ceremony for students expressing their commitment to serve God on their campuses, affirming their readiness to embark on this mission.