Homecoming and Revival at Good Hope

Yesterday I preached in the Lord's Day morning service at Good Hope Baptist Church in Radiant, Virginia (Madison County). It was their annual Homecoming Service. For those who do not know, most rural Baptist churches in the South have an annual "Homecoming" service to which former members and friends of the church are especially invited. These services are also typically followed by a series of "Revival" meetings. I also preached yesterday evening at Good Hope to begin their "Revival" meetings and will continue through Wednesday evening (7:30 pm each evening).

Good Hope has a long history. It was established in 1828. The building was constructed pre-Civil War and features a "slave gallery" (a flat landing, not a balcony, as is typical in such buildings) at the rear of the sanctuary.

Madison County is an absolutely beautiful place. If I did not live in Albemarle County, Madison would be my next choice. This is the scenic view just across the street from the church, at the corner of Good Hope Church Road (Rt. 616) and Beautiful Run Road (Rt. 621).

Pastor Kyle Balderson has been the Pastor at Good Hope for the past four years. Here are the two of us standing by the covered picnic area where the church shared in a plentiful meal on the grounds after the morning service.

The message topics for the week:

Sunday morning: "Four Marks of the Church" (Acts 2:42);

Sunday evening: "How do I know if I am a Christian?" (1 Corinthians 13:4-6);

Monday evening: "A Ransom for Many" (Mark 10:45);

Tuesday evening: "Personal Reformation" (Ephesians 2:1-10);

Wednesday evening: "Church Reformation" (Titus 1:5-9; 2:1-10; 3:3-7).

JTR