MOULTRIE, Ga. — “I believe my husband has truly been called for this mission,” said Prophetess Faith Marie Lee about her husband’s 40 day and 40 night tent revival, a call for change they said was envisioned by God.

The revival, located at W.O.W. Park, is headed by Apostle Johnnie Bernard Lee Sr., senior pastor and founder of The Burning Bush Holy Tabernacle Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God with Christ.

The revival started Thursday and will continue through Sept. 9 with three services each day. The first begins at 9 a.m., the second at 1:30 p.m. and the last at 7 p.m.

The plan is to recover the “deteriorated” soul of the community, Johnnie Lee said.

“If you don’t tend to your garden, you know what will happen? Weeds will grow up on it and then all of a sudden, the pretty rose garden that you once had becomes an ugly garden,” he said.

Johnnie Lee, a native of Moultrie who moved away during his teens, said he was led to come back and stay home after seeing dilapidation befall upon his former home.

With one foot prepared to step forward and make change, Lee said God was his final push via a vision on Jan. 3.

According to him, God said his children are suffering from the lack of knowledge, so he wanted Lee to scream the gospel for 40 days and 40 nights, not just to his own family but to all.

“There’re a lot of people who are in poverty, not literally because they were driven into it [or] because they were forced into it,” Johnnie said. “A lot of them went into it by no choice at all.”

He said the land is “flowing with milk and honey,” but people aren’t taking advantage of it. Though he knows large crowds won’t be generated by the revival every day, he’ll teach whoever he can, regardless of their fashion, to “till the land.”

The revival will host a bevy of preachers from local and distant churches including the Lees, Union Baptist Church Minister Evan Lewis, Evangelist Thomas Boozer and more.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will also attend.

City of Moultrie Mayor Bill McIntosh said hosting the 40-day, 40-night revival in Moultrie marked a significant moment for the city.

“I’m proud to be a part of a community that has faith-based programs and activities,” he said. “We could all use a little uplifting and these folks are working hard to do that. I think it’s important to support those kinds of things.”

As McIntosh went on stage to express his gratitude with the church, he said churches are the background of Moultrie’s communal foundation. In doing so, he welcomed Lee’s church into the family.

“Our prayers are going to be with you,” McIntosh said. “I wish you the best. I know you’re going to have a very, very successful and meaningful event here.”

The W.O.W. Park is located 301 Fifth St. S.W. in Moultrie, Georgia

“All are welcome,” Lee said.