A Landmark Day
Image: Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash
I have been a Church Pastor for over 20 years, and there have been a few stand out moments – last Sunday was one of them.
September often feels like a fresh start and our team had decided to begin the new term with some water baptisms.
We had completed the Alpha Course earlier in the year and some people were considering baptism. We had others who had come to faith and not been baptised. Also, our Youth Pastor had been talking with our young people about baptism.
When we announced the date we were unsure how many would say ‘yes’. There was some initial take up, and as we approached the day the numbers went up to seven, of which three were young people.
On Sunday, I invited each person to share their story. It was wonderful to hear how God had been working in their lives, and the certainty of their faith in Jesus.
I was particularly struck at how many had heard God speak to them directly through certain passages in the Bible.
The packed room listened, prayed for and celebrated everyone who was baptised. The atmosphere was incredible, joyous and uplifting.
A relative of one of those being baptised, who had come along to support them, told me afterwards how moved they had been by what they had witnessed. They do not go to church, and had never experienced anything like that before!
We witnessed a landmark moment for those who were baptised. This verse seemed to sum things up for me…
“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
Are you longing for a fresh start, to experience real forgiveness, and to know God’s joy and peace?
Jesus offers this to everyone. Let me encourage you to reach out to Him…
God bless you:)
Gary Bastin
Hope Community Church leader