New believers follow in the Christian rite of Baptism at Barren River Lake. Some churches are generating excitement around baptisms by holding them outdoors. (Photo by Robin Cornetet)
FLORENCE—The Kentucky Baptist Convention celebrated churches that are leading the state in baptizing new believers.
A total of 20 churches were recognized with awards for achieving the highest number in total baptisms and for having the best per-capita ratio of baptisms to members.
“We want to celebrate people coming to Christ and following in obedience to believer’s baptism,” said KBC Evangelism and Church Planting Team Leader Todd Gray, who announced recipients at the KBC Annual Meeting in Florence.
Hillvue Heights Church in Bowling Green led the state last year with 531 baptisms, while The Lighthouse at Nolin Lake topped the per-capita ranking with 31 baptisms by a church with a primary worship attendance of 49 people.
“What these awards really say about Kentucky Baptist churches is they are effective at reaching people and evangelism,” Gray said.
The evangelism efforts of the churches contributed to the KBC’s reporting of 14,456 baptisms, the highest number since 2012.
The top 10 baptizing churches:
-Hillvue Heights Church, 531 baptisms
-The Creek Church, 219 baptisms
-Valley View Church, 136 baptisms
-Crossland Community Church, 97 baptisms
-Grapevine Baptist Church, 96 baptisms
-Providence Baptist Church, 92 baptisms
-Garner Missionary Baptist Church, 86 baptisms
-Immanuel Baptist Church, 84 baptisms
-Mill Creek Baptist Church, 78 baptisms
-Living Hope Baptist Church, 75 baptisms
The top 10 baptizing churches per capita:
-Lighthouse at Nolin Lake, 49 worship, 31 baptisms
-New Hope Fellowship Baptist Fellowship of Gratz, 30 worship, 17 baptisms
-Trinity Baptist Church, 45 worship, 24 baptisms
-Canadatown Community Fellowship, 28 worship, 14 baptisms
-New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 55 worship, 25 baptisms
-Lifehouse Church, 50 worship, 22 baptisms
-Deanfield Baptist Church, 20 worship, 8 baptisms
-Advance Baptist Church, 62 worship, 24 baptisms
-McKinney Baptist Church, 26 worship, 10 baptisms
-Victory Baptist Church, 105 worship, 36 baptisms
Baptism statistics come from self-reported numbers submitted through the Annual Church Profile, used throughout the Southern Baptist Convention to collect vital statistical and leadership information. (KBC)