Williams Memorial Baptist Church Ravenna, Kentucky, was down to nine members following COVID–19’s devastating surge but evangelism gave life to the dying church.

“We had to face the reality that God is calling us to evangelism,” said pastor Chris Winkler. “We had to not be content with being in the building. I put a challenge out to those eight or nine people — this was our 100th anniversary and if we want it to thrive, we need to evangelize.”

And the remaining members rallied to the call.

“They accepted that and have more energy than I give them credit for,” Winkler said.

The pastor, who had retired after 32 years in public education, noted God was leading and working through the church members. They canvassed neighbourhoods, invited people to church and let the community know their doors were open and they were going to stay that way.

Winkler said Kentucky Baptist Convention North Central Region Consultant Andy McDonald and several pastors began a group (or cohort) that helped him grow as a pastor. And Larry Braswell became associational mission strategist for Boone’s Creek Baptist Association, giving Winkler another lifeline by providing a preaching class once a month.

Meanwhile, the church began to get back on its feet and today is nearing 50 members and growing.

Braswell enlisted a group from Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, to help Williams Memorial with some cleanup and canvassing, another piece of the puzzle toward getting the church back on its feet. Winkler was realizing he wasn’t alone in the revitalization.

The regional cohort includes pastors from the area, and their encouragement and advice have been valuable.

“We help each other because we’re all going through a lot of the same issues,” Winkler said.

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