There are moments along the way in the life of an organization that can make or break it. We don’t know yet if the North Campus Summer Splash was one of those, but it was definitely a defining moment! There is something powerful about a bunch of people coming together simply for the sake of ‘community.’ Of course the biggest moment of the afternoon/evening was the baptism portion.
On Sunday evening we were able to celebrate 6 lives that have been changed by God over the course of their respective lives. As a pastor, it doesn’t get any better than to have an active part in helping people celebrate and communicate their desire for God and his plan for their life through baptism. It was an awesome (in the truest since of the word) perspective to stand in a pool with each of the candidates while looking up to see over 200 beaming believers cheering on these changed individuals! A healthy raise or promotion at work is always a blessing, and a congratulatory word from a superior is encouraging. But to be completely honest, it just doesn’t get any better than Sunday night in terms of serving in a vocational ministry. That’s why we chirp often from the stage and work hard at building relationships. The risk/reward is steep, and Sunday night was definitely a reward.
The risk still exists, even in victory. Though we have had the privilege of baptizing over 15 in the last year, I challenged the congregation to never grow apathetic in encountering their friends and family with the grace and love of Jesus Christ. It is my prayer that each spring (in the least) I can write on this blog about more lives changed by the grace of God!
Wow! Awesome! Amen and Amen!
That was a moment in our life that Luke and I will NEVER forget! The Lord’s Spirit and love flowed so freely among us all. It was almost like a dream, a glimpse of heaven.
It was breath-taking looking at those being baptized and seeing this past year of toil for Him in their eyes. Then knowing to my core that all we have sacrificed is so small in comparison to how great He is and how amazing it is to have the previledge of seeing His mighty hands mold hearts and then get to worship Him with all the glory we can give Him.
We are blessed to be surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses in the midst of our congregation, loving us and cheering us on along the way, and we are blessed to have you leading this flock Joey.
May the Lord continue to bless you as you continue to serve Him so faithfully!
God is Good – All the time!
your sister, His servant,
-md
What a joy to baptize the new believers i n Christ. A glimpse of Pentecost and the power of God to save. What a thrill to be a part of the workings of God. How happy we are for you and the McKinney church.