Churches Across Bartow County United in Remembrance, Repentance, and Renewal
Sunday Evening • July 19, 2026
Cartersville First Baptist Church
Hosted in cooperation with the Bartow Baptist Association and Mission Bartow
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
—2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
On Sunday evening, July 19, 2026, believers from churches throughout Bartow County gathered at Cartersville First Baptist Church for a powerful and timely service called THE RETURN.
It was more than another church meeting. It was a call for God’s people to remember where we have come from, repent of where we have gone wrong, renew our devotion to Jesus Christ, and return to prayer as the church’s first response rather than its last resort.
Baptists, Assemblies of God, independent congregations, and believers from other Christian fellowships laid aside denominational differences and gathered around the truths we share: the authority of God’s Word, the lordship of Jesus Christ, the power of prayer, and the urgent need for spiritual awakening.
For the members and friends of Bethel Crossroads Baptist Church who were unable to attend, we want to share the message and meaning of this memorable evening.
A UNITED APPEAL TO HEAVEN
The sanctuary was filled with people from different churches and backgrounds, but the purpose was one. We came together to seek the Lord.
The gathering reminded us that although local churches may have different names, traditions, and methods, every Bible-believing congregation belongs to Jesus Christ. We do not have to agree on every secondary matter to unite in prayer for our families, churches, communities, and nation.
THE RETURN called the church back to the heart of 2 Chronicles 7:14. God’s promise is addressed to “my people.” Before we point to the sins of the world, the church must first allow God to search our own hearts.
The evening was built around four great movements:
The Plumbline
Remembrance
Repentance
Renewal
These movements carried everyone from an honest examination of our spiritual condition to a fresh commitment to live for Christ and pray for our community.
THE PLUMBLINE – David Franklin, Bartow Baptist Associational Missionary
God’s Word Reveals Where We Truly Stand
Following worship led by John Huff of Cartersville First Baptist Church, David Franklin, representing the Bartow Baptist Association and Mission Bartow, presented the message of The Plumbline from Amos 7:7–8.
“Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand.
And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel.”
—Amos 7:7–8 KJV
A plumbline is used to determine whether a wall is straight. The wall is not permitted to decide what straight means. The plumbline establishes the standard.
In the same way, God’s Word is the unchanging standard by which individuals, churches, communities, and nations must be measured. Culture cannot determine truth. Public opinion cannot redefine righteousness. Political parties cannot replace biblical conviction. Feelings cannot overrule the clear teaching of Scripture.
The question is not whether the Bible agrees with us. The question is whether our lives agree with the Bible.
God’s plumbline reveals the crooked places in our hearts:
- Pride that refuses correction
- Prayerlessness that depends upon human strength
- Compromise that excuses sin
- Division that weakens the church’s witness
- Indifference toward lost souls
- Neglect of our homes and families
- A form of religion without spiritual power
The purpose of the plumbline is not merely to condemn us. It is to show us what must be made right. God reveals our condition because He desires to restore us.
THE RETURN began by reminding us that revival cannot come through pretending. Revival begins when God’s people become honest before Him.
REMEMBRANCE
Looking Back at the Spiritual Foundations of Our Nation
The remembrance portion was led by James Black of New Covenant Church. Several pastors and ministry leaders then shared important moments from American history when people openly acknowledged their dependence upon Almighty God.
The purpose was not to claim that every person in American history was a Christian or that our nation has always acted righteously. America has known great blessings, but it has also known grievous sins and painful failures.
The purpose was to remember that, during many of the most critical hours in our history, leaders and citizens recognized that human wisdom and military strength were not enough. They humbled themselves, called upon God, and asked for His mercy.
The Mayflower Compact and the Search for Religious Liberty
The remembrance began with the story of the Pilgrims.
These believers had suffered persecution because they desired to worship according to the dictates of conscience and to follow the Word of God as their final authority. They left familiar homes and possessions in search of the freedom to worship God and provide that same freedom for their children.
Their voyage aboard the Mayflower was filled with storms, sickness, overcrowding, and hardship. After arriving in the New World, they entered into the agreement known as the Mayflower Compact, declaring that their undertaking was for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith.
Upon reaching land, they knelt and thanked God for bringing them through the dangers of the sea. Their first winter was devastating, and many died. Yet a remnant survived and continued seeking to build a community shaped by faith, sacrifice, and biblical principles.
Their story reminds us that religious liberty was not cheaply obtained. People crossed an ocean, endured tremendous suffering, and buried loved ones because they believed the freedom to worship God was worth the cost.
We are heirs to sacrifices we did not make. Therefore, we must not treat worship casually or take our liberty for granted.
The “Appeal to Heaven” Flag – Patrick Latham, Tabernacle Baptist Church
The gathering also remembered the history of the Appeal to Heaven flag.
Before the Stars and Stripes became our national emblem, colonial vessels sailed beneath a flag bearing a green pine tree and the words “An Appeal to Heaven.” The phrase expressed the belief that when every human means of redress had been exhausted, the people could appeal their cause to the Supreme Judge of the world.
The pine tree also became a symbol of resistance after the British crown claimed the tallest colonial pines for use by the Royal Navy.
The spiritual application presented during THE RETURN was clear: Christians must once again make an appeal to Heaven. We cannot heal our land through politics alone, programs alone, money alone, or human effort alone.
Jesus warned that a divided house cannot stand. Therefore, believers must lay aside racial, denominational, personal, and generational hostility and unite in humble prayer.
Our answer is still found in the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14: humility, prayer, seeking God’s face, and turning from wicked ways.
Before Independence Came Dependence
Nathan Sanders of Life Point Church presented the proclamation calling for prayer and fasting on May 17, 1776.
Before the Declaration of Independence was adopted, the Continental Congress called the colonies to a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer.
The leaders understood that the colonies faced the military power of the British Empire and could not succeed without the aid of Almighty God. The proclamation urged people of all ranks to confess their sins, seek divine mercy, ask for God’s intervention, and pray that true religion, peace, and liberty would prevail.
One of the great lessons from that historic moment was summarized this way:
Before America declared her independence from Britain, America declared her dependence upon God.
The colonists did not merely pray for military success. They were called to repentance and the confession of sin. They recognized that freedom without righteousness could not produce lasting blessing.
The order is important:
They humbled themselves.
They prayed.
They confessed their dependence upon God.
Then they stepped forward into the future.
Before they stood before a king, they knelt before the King of kings.
That lesson speaks loudly to us today. America does not merely need stronger opinions. We need surrendered hearts. We do not merely need citizens who demand their rights. We need Christians who fulfill their responsibilities before God.
The Flag and the Star-Spangled Banner
Patrick Latham of Tabernacle Baptist Church spoke about the American flag, followed by the story of the Star-Spangled Banner, presented by Barry Garland of New Beginnings Church.
During the War of 1812, British forces attacked Fort McHenry, which guarded Baltimore’s harbor. The fort flew a massive American flag that could be seen from across the harbor.
For approximately twenty-five hours, British warships bombarded the fort. Rockets and mortar shells filled the night sky. The flagpole was struck, and the flag began to fall. Soldiers rushed to keep it standing because they knew the British would interpret a fallen flag as a sign of surrender.
As morning broke, Francis Scott Key anxiously looked toward the fort and discovered that the flag was still there. The fort had not fallen.
Moved by what he witnessed, Key wrote the words that became The Star-Spangled Banner. The song captures the terrible cost of freedom and the determination of those who refused to surrender.
During THE RETURN, this history was not presented to place the flag above the cross. For Christians, our highest loyalty belongs to Jesus Christ.
We honor those who sacrificed for our earthly freedom, but we worship the One who purchased our eternal freedom with His blood.
The flag reminds us of the price paid by soldiers. The cross reminds us of the greater price paid by the Savior.
President Lincoln’s Call to National Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer
Eric Mosely of All About Jesus presented the March 30, 1863 proclamation issued during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln.
The nation was being torn apart by the Civil War. Both North and South were suffering. Families were grieving. Cities faced unrest. Thousands of fathers and sons had died. The nation’s wounds appeared almost impossible to heal.
In that dark hour, the United States Senate requested that the president appoint a day of national humiliation, fasting, and prayer.
The proclamation acknowledged God’s authority over nations and called the people to confess their sins in humble sorrow. It recognized that America had enjoyed great blessings but had become proud and had forgotten God.
That statement remains painfully relevant:
“We have forgotten God.”
We have enjoyed prosperity while neglecting the Giver. We have celebrated freedom while ignoring the truth that makes people free. We have asked for God’s blessings while rejecting His commandments.
The proclamation designated a day for people to withdraw from ordinary pursuits and gather in public worship and in their homes to seek the Lord.
The spiritual lesson is not that every military event can be simplistically interpreted as a direct answer to one prayer. Rather, the lesson is that a nation in crisis once understood the necessity of humility, repentance, and dependence upon God.
Could it be that our greatest national emergency is not economic, military, or political? Could it be that our greatest emergency is spiritual?
President Roosevelt’s D-Day Prayer
Scott Shepard of Brandon’s Chapel Baptist Church presented President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s prayer broadcast to the nation during the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944.
World War II had brought death and suffering on a terrible scale. Nazi tyranny had conquered nations, murdered millions, and subjected countless innocent people to unimaginable cruelty.
As Allied forces crossed the English Channel and landed on the beaches of Normandy, the outcome was uncertain. The price would be high, and many soldiers would not return home.
President Roosevelt did more than ask Americans to pray. He led the nation in prayer. He asked God to give the troops strength, courage, steadfastness, and faith. He prayed for those who would die and called upon Americans to continue in prayer—not merely for one day, but throughout the long struggle ahead.
His prayer acknowledged that success depended upon the grace and blessing of Almighty God.
That moment reminds us that prayer is not weakness. Prayer is the acknowledgment that our strength is limited but God’s power is unlimited.
When human ability reaches its boundary, faith looks beyond the boundary and appeals to Heaven.
Worship During Remembrance
The historical accounts were joined with heartfelt congregational worship. Those gathered sang songs including:
“God Bless America”
“Goodness of God”
These songs helped turn remembrance into thanksgiving.
We remembered that every good gift comes from God. Any blessing our nation has enjoyed has not been earned by human goodness but granted through divine mercy.
We also remembered that asking God to bless America must never become an empty patriotic phrase. We must desire the kind of blessing God gives to a people who walk in truth, seek righteousness, protect life, defend liberty, care for the weak, honor the family, and acknowledge Him.
REPENTANCE
The Return Must Begin in Our Own Hearts
The service then moved from remembering the past to confronting the present.
Keith Wood, an elder from the Assembly of God, led the call to repentance in three areas:
Personal
Local
National
The progression was important. It is easy to confess the sins of a nation while ignoring the sins of our own hearts.
Revival does not begin in Washington, Atlanta, the courthouse, the schoolhouse, or someone else’s house.
Revival begins in my heart and in your heart.
Personal Repentance
Personal repentance means allowing the Holy Spirit to search us individually.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
—Psalm 139:23–24 KJV
We must ask:
Have I neglected prayer?
Have I lost my hunger for God’s Word?
Have I excused secret sin?
Have I allowed bitterness to remain?
Have I spoken words that wounded others?
Have I become cold toward the lost?
Have I put money, pleasure, politics, work, or entertainment before Christ?
Have I failed to lead my family spiritually?
Have I been satisfied with appearing religious while remaining unchanged within?
Repentance is more than feeling sorry. It is a change of mind that produces a change of direction. It means agreeing with God about our sin, confessing it honestly, and turning from it through the grace of Jesus Christ.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
—1 John 1:9 KJV
Local Repentance
The call then widened to our local churches and community.
Churches must repent when we compete rather than cooperate, protect our own kingdoms rather than advance Christ’s kingdom, or allow personal disagreements to become barriers to gospel fellowship.
We must repent when our buildings are full of activity but our altars are empty of prayer.
We must repent when we speak strongly about the sins of society but remain silent about pride, gossip, jealousy, unforgiveness, materialism, and spiritual indifference inside the church.
Bartow County needs more than successful churches. Bartow County needs spiritually alive churches.
We need congregations that preach the whole counsel of God, love people without compromising truth, minister to broken families, protect children, encourage young people, strengthen marriages, care for the hurting, and faithfully proclaim salvation through Jesus Christ.
National Repentance
The call then extended to our nation.
America has been greatly blessed, but blessing does not excuse sin. Our nation has drifted far from the truths of God’s Word.
We grieve over:
- The destruction of innocent life
- The breakdown of marriage and the family
- Sexual immorality and confusion
- Violence and hatred
- Racial hostility
- Addiction and exploitation
- Dishonesty in leadership
- The rejection of biblical truth
- The mocking of Christian faith
- Materialism and greed
- The loss of respect for authority
- The neglect of the poor and vulnerable
- The growing belief that we no longer need God
Yet the church must not respond with hatred or despair. We must respond with truth, compassion, gospel witness, holy living, and persistent prayer.
The congregation joined in worship through “Break Every Chain,” expressing our confidence that Christ can set captives free.
No chain of addiction is stronger than Jesus.
No chain of bitterness is stronger than Jesus.
No chain of racial hatred is stronger than Jesus.
No chain of lust is stronger than Jesus.
No chain of fear is stronger than Jesus.
No chain of sin is stronger than the blood of Jesus Christ.
RENEWAL
Rebuilding the Altar
Kyle Walker of Cartersville First Baptist Church led the renewal portion of the service with the emphasis “Building the Altar.”
Throughout Scripture, the altar represented surrender, worship, sacrifice, remembrance, and meeting with God.
Abraham built altars as he walked by faith. Elijah repaired a broken altar before the fire fell. Families were instructed to remember God’s works and teach His truth to the next generation.
Our generation needs to rebuild the altar.
We need to rebuild the altar of personal prayer.
We need to rebuild the family altar where parents and children read Scripture and pray together.
We need to rebuild the church altar where people are not ashamed to humble themselves, seek God, confess sin, and intercede for the lost.
We need to rebuild the altar of sacrifice, where believers say:
“Lord, my life belongs to You.”
“My home belongs to You.”
“My future belongs to You.”
“My possessions belong to You.”
“My church belongs to You.”
“My nation belongs to You.”
“Use me for Your glory.”
Renewal is not merely becoming emotional during a service. Renewal means carrying obedience home with us.
A renewed believer prays differently, speaks differently, forgives differently, worships differently, gives differently, and lives differently.
A renewed church does not simply ask, “How can we attract a crowd?” It asks, “How can we glorify Christ, reach the lost, disciple believers, strengthen families, and serve our community?”
Folding the Flag
Jacob Shaver participated in the folding of the flag.
This solemn moment reminded everyone of the honor, sacrifice, and responsibility connected with our freedom.
Freedom is never free. It is preserved through sacrifice.
As Christians, we understand that principle more deeply than anyone. Our eternal freedom was purchased by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ at Calvary.
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
—John 8:36 KJV
We honor our nation, pray for those in authority, appreciate those who have served, and thank God for the freedom to worship.
But America is not our Savior.
The flag cannot wash away sin.
Government cannot change the human heart.
Military strength cannot produce spiritual life.
Education cannot provide redemption.
Economic prosperity cannot purchase peace with God.
Only Jesus saves.
Our nation’s greatest hope is not found in returning to a particular decade, political party, or cultural period. Our greatest hope is found in returning to the Lord.
“God of This City”
The congregation worshipped together through the song “God of This City.”
It became a prayer over Cartersville, Taylorsville, Bartow County, and every surrounding community.
God has not abandoned our city.
There are still lost people who can be saved.
There are still marriages that can be restored.
There are still prodigals who can come home.
There are still addicts who can be delivered.
There are still children who can be protected.
There are still young people who can be called into ministry.
There are still churches that can experience revival.
There are still neighborhoods that can be changed by the gospel.
The darkness may be great, but Jesus is still the Light of the world.
THE CHALLENGE
Do Not Let the Return End with One Service
The closing challenge was delivered by Keith Wood and David Franklin.
The message was clear: THE RETURN must not become an event we attended and then forgot.
The real test began when we left the building.
Will we continue to pray?
Will we forgive those who have hurt us?
Will we repair broken relationships?
Will we return to the Bible?
Will we lead our families spiritually?
Will churches continue to pray together?
Will we share the gospel with lost people?
Will we stand for truth with grace and courage?
Will we seek revival even when no special meeting is scheduled?
Will we become faithful intercessors for our community?
A sign-up opportunity was provided for those willing to serve as prayer intercessors. The service then concluded with a closing song and a commissioning prayer led by James Black.
A commissioning prayer reminds us that we were not simply dismissed. We were sent.
We were sent back to our homes.
Sent back to our churches.
Sent back to our workplaces.
Sent back to our neighborhoods.
Sent back to our schools.
Sent back to our community.
We were sent to live as witnesses for Jesus Christ.
WHAT THE RETURN MEANS FOR BETHEL CROSSROADS BAPTIST CHURCH
For Bethel Crossroads Baptist Church, THE RETURN agrees with the calling God has already placed before us:
At the Crossroads of Faith and Hope—Building Lives for Eternity.
We desire to be a church that loves God, loves people, lives the gospel, preaches the truth, reaches the lost, strengthens families, and prays for revival.
The needs of our community are too great for any one congregation to meet alone. We thank God for every faithful, Bible-believing church proclaiming Jesus Christ throughout Bartow County.
Pastors come and go. Buildings change. Programs rise and fall. Generations pass. But Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Our responsibility is to point every heart to Him.
THE RETURN reminded us that the church is strongest when Christ is exalted, Scripture is obeyed, sin is confessed, prayer is restored, and believers walk together in love and truth.
OUR PRAYER AFTER THE RETURN
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for allowing churches from across our community to gather in the name of Jesus Christ. Thank You for every pastor, worship leader, speaker, volunteer, and believer who helped make this evening possible.
Forgive us for the times we have forgotten You. Forgive our pride, prayerlessness, division, compromise, and indifference. Search our hearts and make us clean.
Restore the altar of prayer in our homes and churches. Bring husbands and wives together. Turn the hearts of parents toward their children and children toward their parents. Save the lost, reclaim the prodigals, deliver those in bondage, and strengthen every church that faithfully proclaims Your Word.
Give wisdom to our leaders. Protect those who serve our communities and nation. Comfort families who have sacrificed for our freedom.
Send revival to Bethel Crossroads Baptist Church. Send revival throughout Bartow County. Let that revival begin in each of us.
Help us not merely to remember a meeting called THE RETURN. Help us truly return to You.
In the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.
A FINAL WORD
THE RETURN was a night of history, worship, conviction, unity, prayer, and hope.
We looked backward and remembered.
We looked inward and repented.
We looked upward and prayed.
We looked forward and renewed our commitment.
Now we must walk onward in obedience.
“Come, and let us return unto the LORD.”
—Hosea 6:1 KJV
May Sunday evening, July 19, 2026, be remembered not merely as the night churches gathered at Cartersville First Baptist Church, but as a moment when believers across Bartow County made a fresh appeal to Heaven and said:
“Lord, begin Your work in me.”
In Christ,
Darrell
