Events

On Wednesday, the sanctuary, which seats 135, was packed. Another room was set up with a screen and
projector so more could see, and 290 persons came to the service. Some parked as much as four blocks
away. Before the evening was over, the total had reached 90 professions of faith in Christ, with 26 baptized.

Evangelist for the special services was Ken Freeman, but the pastor was quick to point out that the revival is
the result of prayer. In addition to speaking at the church, the evangelist gave his lecture on “Choices 101”
at the high school, middle school, Vo-Tech school, and a nearby prison. His lecture encouraged students not
to give into peer pressure and to live a life that makes a difference.

As people exited the church on Wednesday evening, an 81-year-old member of the church told the pastor, “I
have to walk four blocks to get my car and bring it back to pick up my wife. What a great problem to have!”

Pastor Smith said, “Obviously, we have a lot of follow-up and discipleship to do and a lot of baptisms yet to
perform.” He said four individuals feel they are called to some form of ministry, as a result of the revival.

When asked who these new believers are, he said about fifty were adults and forty were children or young
people. The majority, he said, were unchurched.

Pastor Smith came to the church seven years ago when about 25 people voted to call him as pastor. Two
years ago, the church bought five acres on “the busiest intersection in the county.” A house on that
property became the location for a food bank to minister to the community. Between May 2010 and June
2011, the church distributed more than 220,000 pounds of food. Much of it came from the regional food bank
in Oklahoma City, about 150 miles away. A grant enabled the church to purchase a 20 by 8 foot walk-in
freezer. Additional food came from Wal-Mart’s Feed America program.

The revival continues as 110 people attended this past Sunday, with three more praying to receive Christ.
Pastor Smith said they have started a new Sunday school class and a new college ministry as a result of the
revival.

Ron McClung, mcclungr@wesleyan.org

Ninety conversions in four days! That’s what happened
at Alva Wesleyan Church on August 21-24, 2011. Pastor
John Smith said, “Eighty-member churches don’t have
ninety converts. God does that!”

Thousands of churches across America call evangelists
to come for special services, often called “revivals.” In
the case of Alva Wesleyan, located in a city of slightly
less than 5,000 in northwest Oklahoma, it actually
happened. On Sunday, August 21, this congregation that
averaged 86 in worship attendance last year had 88
souls present. Eighty-seven were present Sunday
evening. Eighteen went forward to receive Christ and
ten were baptized that day. On Monday evening, 106
were present and several more were saved. On
Tuesday, 130 people, wondering what God would do
next, came to the service. By the end of the evening,
the total had risen to 41 saved, 15 baptized.