There were around 6,500 more people in Baptist churches on September 27, according to figures collated from reports on the day. The Big Welcome, or Back to Church Sunday, saw at least 475 Baptist churches taking part, with an average of 13.7 extra attendees. A quarter of those taking part had not done so before. If, as in previous years, around 12 per cent of those attending decide to become regular worshippers, this translates to another 780 people becoming part of Baptist churches. The Revd Ian Bunce, head of the Baptist Union of Great Britain's mission department, said that the event had gone very well. 'A number of churches have been surprised at how successful it has been,' he said. 'People are now saying that they need to put these principles into the everyday lives of their congregations, rather than leaving it to a particular Sunday.' (See also Prayer Alert 3710) Praise: God for all those who have returned to Church and may the principles of Welcome Back become part of everyday Church. (Heb.10:25)