NATCHEZ — Parkway Baptist Church of Natchez’s interim pastor is bringing back a dose of that good old time religion to the church by hosting a weeklong revival starting Sunday.

“Baptist churches for years and years used to have what we called revivals,” said John Brock, 79, interim pastor of Parkway Baptist. “They would invite a guest speaker to come in, a full-time evangelist, and they would go a whole week. Sometimes, churches would have two of those (in a year).”

Brock said the revivals used to give churches a spiritual uplift.

“I just felt like that God was leading me to have that type of revival services at Parkway Baptist Church,” said Brock, who was appointed to serve as Parkway’s interim pastor some months back by the Mississippi Southern Baptist Convention Board. “So I prayed about it and then I asked the deacons and the leadership of the church.”

Brock said members of Parkway told him they had not held a revival in many years, and agreed to hosting the event that kicks off at 10:45 a.m. Sunday.

Brock said the guest evangelist for the event would be his son, John T. Brock, Ph.D, who is senior pastor of Highland Baptist Church in Florence, Alabama.

“Basically the theme is ‘Spiritual Awakening,’” Brock said. “America needs a spiritual awakening. We need to get back to God and to the Bible. That is my dream that we can have that type of spiritual awakening, not only in Parkway Baptist Church of Natchez. I have invited pastors and their churches from all denominations to come and join with us.”

Brock said he hopes the event will bring spiritual awakening, not only to Parkway Baptist but also to the area.

By “spiritual awakening” Brock said he means he would like to see more people return to daily Bible reading and obeying God’s word to strengthen their personal lives, marriages, families and improve morality.

“A spiritual awakening is where you just let God take over control of your life in every area,” Brock said.

The revival also will feature music led by the Rev. Brad Brand, worship leader for the Park Place Baptist Church of Pearl, Brock said.

The revival begins 10:45 a.m. Sunday at Parkway Baptist Church, Natchez, 117 Seargent Prentiss Drive and again at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Daily services will continue Monday through Thursday at noon with light luncheons being served in the Fellowship Hall beginning at 11:30 a.m. and lasting until 1 p.m. followed by evening services at 6:30 p.m., Brock said.

“This is for everyone regardless of who they are,” Brock said. “Everyone is invited.”