FBC Umatilla: Creating Opportunities to Reach People for Christ

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On a Sunday in April, Pastor Brooks Braswell of First Baptist Church of Umatilla encouraged worshippers to praise God for the many blessings that He is showering down on the church.

“Last Sunday, in all of our morning services and in our baptismal service God brought the blessings,” said Braswell. “He showed up in a big way.”

Pastor Braswell baptized 53 people between ages 6 and 87 at picturesque Lake Pearl just a mile down the road from the church. The 53 who were baptized are part of more than a 100 people who have professed their faith in Christ as their Savior in the past several months at the church. About 200 well-wishers attended the afternoon baptism and were all smiles as they clapped for each participant.

When citing the many recent salvations, high church attendance and the sheer wonder of it all, Braswell exclaimed, “Isn’t this crazy, this is Umatilla!”

Umatilla, which lies 40 miles northwest of Orlando, has a population of 2,900. The church averages 1,500 to 1,700 in attendance at its three services on Sunday, which are locally broadcasted and are streamed over the internet. Worshippers from all backgrounds come from Lake County, the greater Orlando area and beyond. The church has received 102 new members this year and has recorded some of its highest attendances. At Easter, the church totaled 2,240 people attending four services, including a sunrise service. The overflow crowd was seated in the church’s multi-purpose room when the sanctuary services became full.

But when the 38-year-old Braswell, who has served as pastor at the church for the last 10 years, tried to answer why all this is happening, he gives all the glory to God.

“It’s amazing. It’s the hand of God at work,” he said. “He is in charge and we serve Him.”

Pastor Brooks Braswell of FBC Umatilla, Fla., preaches during “Camo Sunday” on April 15, 2018. Braswell, dressed in his camouflage shirt and boots, jokes and says “we’ll do whatever it takes, within reason, to reach people.

Braswell credits the church for coming together for God’s purposes as the body of Christ and for its “bond of unity that stands out right now.”

Longtime member John McCrary, a retired U.S. Navy Master Chief, said the church is welcoming and “just takes people right in.”

In addition to its regular classes and ministries, Braswell said the church reaches out to the community through its many events and special programs. It holds youth summer camps, women’s conferences and serves people at its outreach center.

In February, the church sponsored a Fishing League Worldwide event in which pro fishermen shared both their expertise and their testimonies with about 500 people, which included members and about 250 guests. Afterward, that Saturday evening at a church dinner, more than 100 people accepted Christ. Two weeks later an evangelistic group, The Power For Life Team, visited the church on three weeknights and more than 60 professions of faith were made.

The church creates opportunities for people to invite others to visit, said Braswell. Appealing to the outdoorsmen in the lake community, the church recently held a skeet shooting event, a wild game dinner and had its popular “Camo Sunday.” Members and visitors alike came dressed in camouflage gear.

Braswell wore a camouflage shirt and boots and carried a “camo” covered water bottle, wallet and Bible as he preached. Showing he is a good sport, Braswell is always willing to go the extra mile. Last year on “Camo Sunday,” he preached from a tree stand. He has fished from the stage, broken planks of wood with the “Power For Life” team and has donned various suits from “Superman” to “Woody” in Toy Story.

Braswell said people ask him why he would do all that. He answers them, “to reach people with the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.”

By Laura Sikes, First Baptist Church Umatilla, May 21, 2018

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