Sunday's Baptisms

We baptized four young people at the Magnolia Creek community pool Sunday evening. What a great celebration! It felt very right for us to all bring our food and drink, hang out, have fun, and celebrate new life in Christ. Here are a few background notes from the baptisms that you might not have known even if you were there.

First, the parents from all three families were a major influence leading to their kids' decisions to be baptized. We tend to think that church programs or activities generally move people to decisions like this, but not so. Parents are definitely #1, followed by other family members and friends. Church activities certainly mingle in there in the mix, but God's primary instrument of life change is a close relationship with one or more Christ-followers. No contest.

Second, I was surprised to hear how motivated these young people were to be baptized, without prompting. One started looking for info on the internet about baptism. Another wondered whether it was possible to baptize himself. All four of them had conversations with their parents and others about what it means to be baptized. This ancient ritual still has traction in the 21st century, and it's exciting to see young people who want to make this public declaration of their faith.

Third, these are baptisms 5, 6, 7, and 8 for us this year. The others were celebrated in smaller community settings. Nothing is more exciting to me than to know that God is changing lives in our community, and I look forward to many more to come!