August 4, 2021 (Wednesday)
Today is August 4th. This date brings back memories because the Rockport First Baptist Church always conducted a youth-led revival in the mid-summer, beginning in 1965. The selected week almost always included today’s date.
Youth-led revival meetings had their start in the late 1940s and were a prominent part of the programs of Southern Baptist Churches, especially in Texas. The movement was popular when I was a “youth,” so I participated in many of the revival meetings in the early 1950s. Usually I was the singer; occasionally I would be the preacher. Pictured below is the team for one of those meetings in the early 1950s. Troy was the singer, I was the preacher, and Emma Lou was the pianist. We were very young. Lord willing, Troy will be 90 on August 13, and I will follow in September. We’ve lost touch with Emma Lou.
Emma Lou Bilderback, Troy Conner, Charles Fake
Fruitdale Baptist Church, Dallas (circa 1950)
Every Saturday during the youth-led revival meetings at First Baptist, Rockport, we went to the Big Tree at Goose Island.The church members brought covered dishes for a picnic, and at dusk, we built a big bonfire (definitely forbidden these days) and sat around it for worship, which consisted mainly of personal testimonies about salvation. We began by singing together and concluded with a message from our youth evangelist. There were always rededications and often conversion experiences.
We enjoyed getting to know the visiting youth leaders. During those years, we met many young people who were preparing for full-time ministries after completion of their formal education. Some of them went on to become quite well-known in Christian service circles, especially among Baptists. Some pastored great churches later on. Others became educators and administrators. Some served local churches and others went into denominational work. Still others became missionaries to foreign nations. We are thankful for the privilege of knowing them and having helped them on their way, as they ministered to us. They certainly blessed us. That was long ago, and I must report that some of those “kids” have since gone home to be with the Lord.
The youth-led revival movement has come and gone, and other types of ministries have taken their place, and young people continue to serve the Lord with great enthusiasm. The modes of ministry may change, but the message of the Gospel that Jesus saves is being presented in many ways in our day. We may rest assured that, as God has promised, His Word does not return to Him void. There is still plenty of work to do, and God has a place of service for everyone who is willing to serve, young or old.
IT PAYS TO SERVE JESUS
Words and Music, Frank C. Huston
1909
The service of Jesus true pleasure affords,
In Him there is joy without an alloy;
’Tis Heaven to trust Him and rest on His words;
It pays to serve Jesus each day.
REFRAIN
It pays to serve Jesus, it pays every day,
It pays every step of the way,
Though the pathway to glory may sometimes be drear,
You’ll be happy each step of the way.
It pays to serve Jesus whate’er may betide,
It pays to be true whate’er you may do;
’Tis riches of mercy in Him to abide;
It pays to serve Jesus each day.
REFRAIN
Though sometimes the shadows may hang o’er the way,
And sorrows may come to beckon us home,
Our precious Redeemer each toil will repay;
It pays to serve Jesus each day.
REFRAIN