Baptisim

Today was an IMPORTANT Day for our JM!

We had our 'normal' Sunday service at our church.

BUT the 'evening' service took place in the afternoon at a local bible camp.

Camp Aowakiya allowed our church to have a large picnic and a baptism service on the lake.

There was about 300 people that attended.

There was about 23 people that were baptized.  They are all hearing about the procedure for the day with the senior pastor. 

After the wonderful lunch we had a short time of singing praise songs followed by a short message about baptism by our senior pastor.

We believe that baptism is an act of obedience to God by showing others the commitment he/she has made to Christ.

We believe that an individual must be FULLY submersed -- as the meaning of 'baptiso' -- the Greek word for baptize.

JM decided a month ago that he wanted to do this!

Here he is sitting next to one of his friends as he waits his turn.

Each individual stands in front of the full congregation and is asked 2 questions with the opportunity to give his/her testimony.

1.  Have you asked Jesus Christ to be your Savior?

2.  Do you planned to do what Jesus Christ asked you to do in the bible?

JM answered:

1.  Yes I have!

2.  Yes I do!

Next, he went out into the water to our associate pastor, who baptized JM, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

AND 

under he went!

And up he came -- spraying water out of his mouth!

Uncle Bill gave him his towel.

LOVE this smile.  He was so happy!

AFTER the baptism anyone who wanted to swim could!

Of course, both our boys wanted to be in the water.

This was such a fun day to share with so many people who were making decisions to follow Christ.

We are so thankful JM has made this decision!