CORDELE/ROCHELLE — In the next few days, young people throughout the area will have two opportunities to come together in fellowship. Youth rallies are planned in Cordele and Rochelle.

The first rally, sponsored by the Houston Baptist Association, will be held Thursday night at the Crisp County Middle School Gym.

“This is the second year this event has been held at CCMS,” said Danny Kimbrel, rally coordinator for the Houston Baptist Association. “This is a JESUS thing. It is not about any one denomination. It is interdenominational, and we hope that everyone will attend, churched or unchurched. This is a wonderful opportunity to spread the gospel of the Lord.”

Kimbrel said that he is expecting the crowd to be larger than it was in 2008.

“We had over 400 adults and young people attend last year. It is our hope that that number will at least double,” said Kimbrel. “It all comes together like a puzzle. We have over 130 volunteers committed already including 20 or more pastors and their wives. We can always use more though. There will be people to pray and council with the young people if they are needed.”

The Chris Orr Band will take the stage again this year with their energetic brand of music, and Ed Newton will return as guest speaker.

“The program is targeted at the more youthful age group around 5th or 6th grade and up,” said Kimbrel. “We want to be able to take this opportunity to minister to the children of Crisp and surrounding counties if we can.”

Anyone wishing to volunteer at the event should contact Danny Kimbrel at (229)947-1212 or show up Thursday night. For more information on the rally, anyone can go online at HBAYouth.com.

Then on Saturday, March 28 Wilcox County’s Little River Baptist Association Youth team will be sponsoring a second rally in the gymnasium at Wilcox County High School in Rochelle.

“The association puts together monthly events called Saturday night alive,” said Brian Gunningham, youth minister of First Baptist Church of Rochelle. “This rally is just like that, only bigger.”

The entertainment for the rally will be illusionist, Drew Worsham.

“He is very good at reaching young people,” said Gunningham. “He does so through his illusions.”

The rally begins at 7 p.m., and there is no charge for the public to attend.