GAITHERSBURG, Md. — The Montgomery Baptist Association annual revival, held Oct. 19–22, brought together congregations and guests for a time of refreshment and renewal.
MBA Director of Missions Ron Blankenship said, “It was inspiring. I really believe that the Holy Spirit was moving in the people who were there. And I’m still getting people sharing with me how it touched them and helped them to just be better Christians and have a clear vision and motivation to serve the Lord.
Colin Pugh, Brian Tubbs, Jeremy Dickson, and Ron Blankenship were among the speakers at the MBA annual revival. (Photo courtesy of the MBA)
“Our sermons were centered around the idea that if we’re going to grow, we can’t just start with church growth and finances and programs. We’ve got to start with a movement of the Holy Spirit. And really, that’s nothing new. That’s how it’s been throughout history.”
The MBA revival has now been held for more than a dozen years, beginning when Gayle Clifton, then pastor of Upper Seneca Baptist Church, helped champion the idea. Blankenship recalled how the first revival was inspired by the ministry of Bill Robertson, a Louisiana pastor who led a powerful revival in Jena, Louisiana, a community deeply divided by a racial incident. Attendance there grew so rapidly that the church outgrew its meeting space, and the revival continued for nine weeks. More than 100 people made confessions of faith, and residents from different racial backgrounds worshipped side by side. MBA leaders invited Robertson to launch the association’s first revival in 2010.
Today, the MBA revival has become an anticipated fall tradition, adapting over the years to include multiple speakers and worship teams from MBA congregations. This year’s revival kicked off after the association’s annual meeting and fellowship dinner on Oct. 19, drawing about 90 attendees each night and more than 120 on the final evening.
Speakers included Jeremy Dickson, BCM/D director of church planting; Colin Pugh, pastor of Clinton Baptist Church; Richard Pope, pastor of Canvas Church in Salisbury; and Bruce Conley, Blue Ridge Baptist Association director of missions. Testimonies were shared by BCM/D Spousal Care Coordinator Payton Pope and Brandon Peralta, associate pastor of Crossroads Community Bible Church in Laytonsville. On the final evening, Blankenship, Danny Moore and Olney Baptist Church Pastor Brian Tubbs offered testimonies woven with music and prayer.
Worship teams from First Baptist Church of Rockville, Poolesville Baptist Church, Crossroads Community Bible Church and Olney Baptist Church led music throughout the week, each bringing their own style.
Blankenship said many pastors spoke openly about their own spiritual struggles, and that vulnerability resonated with people in the congregation.
Tubbs said, “I felt this was one of the most encouraging and, at the same time, convicting revivals I’ve attended in many years. I was personally inspired and challenged in my own spiritual life. And it was encouraging to see the warm response each evening that so many people had to the messages and worship.”
Danny Moore, pastor of First Baptist Church of Damascus, was also encouraged, saying the speakers and music were “powerful and uplifting.” He added that the joy among the churches was contagious. “I could sense the Holy Spirit moving every night.”
Blankenship said, “People told me afterward how the messages helped them renew their walk with the Lord and regain motivation to serve.
“One young man came forward on the last night and said, ‘I’ve been away from the Lord, and these sermons convicted me. I want to get back on the right path.’ We prayed together, and you could see his whole demeanor change from sadness to joy. That’s what revival is about.”
Olney Baptist Church praise band led worship on the final day of the MBA revival. (Photo courtesy of MBA)
Some question whether revivals are still relevant, but Blankenship says they absolutely are. He recalled a comment he once heard: “‘Well, we don’t have revivals up here. They just don’t work.’ And I said, well, maybe that’s part of the problem of some churches. We don’t think revival can work anymore. Really, revival is not a series of meetings. Revival is spiritual renewal. Just as our bodies need to grow new cells, our churches need continual renewal, making converts and disciples. Without that, they’ll die. The key is prayer. We can never stop seeking God, never stop praying and never stop seeking renewal and revival.”
As a result of the fall revival, Pastor Julio Mejia of Comunidad de Vida is planning a spring revival focused on Hispanic congregations, with English translation available. “We want to include everyone — Montgomery Association and beyond,” Blankenship said.
Offerings covered most expenses, and a partnership grant from the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware provided additional support. “That grant allows us to invest in initiatives like this that strengthen churches,” Blankenship said. “It’s about churches realizing that every believer has ownership in the Great Commission — not just pastors and staff.”
Plans are already underway for next year. “We’re praying and preparing,” Blankenship said. “Our goal is simple — to see God bring renewal to his people so they can reach the lost.”
Recordings Available!
Each service was recorded and is available on the Montgomery Baptist Association website. Blankenship hopes churches will use the videos for group studies or prayer gatherings. “You never know how far it will go,” he said. “One friend in Tennessee watched online and shared how the sermon touched him. The Word doesn’t return void.”
Sharon Mager serves as BCM/D content and story editor