David and Austin are best friends. They have a rare ability to get along with one another extremely well almost 100% of the time.Sunday marked a unique day in each of their lives - and they shared it together. They were two of twenty-four people who were baptized in the James River that afternoon - adults, students and children who stepped out to acknowledge publicly that they wanted to follow Christ.
It's hard to know exactly what nine-year-old boys are thinking, but I can't help but believe that each one of them knew that this was a very special day.
It was special for all of us in attendance. This year, Powhatan Community Church has baptized sixty-one people - a one-year record for this church. Here's how Kevin, our Community Care Pastor, interprets that number:
...not that the number in and of itself is important, but the fact that it is not simply a number - it is PEOPLE. People whose lives are different today than they were before
Austin and David are two of those people.
Listening to final instructions.
Waiting patiently for his turn.
Another one of those people: Kelley - one of MY best friends - being baptized with Austin, her son. The look of sheer peace and beauty on her face is a transparent glimpse into her heart. She is in the process of being transformed by Jesus in an incredible way.
Coming up out of the water with his dad; it is especially meaningful that Lonnie was here to participate.
Moving quickly; I think the water was a bit chilly!
"That's what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Father so that we can see where we're going in our new grace-sovereign country." Romans 6.3-5 The Message
8 comments:
as the mother of one of these two nine year olds.... I have no words... except to say God is good...everyday... every single day. Thanks Beth...thanks for this post... much and mucher and muchest...
so exciting! i'm so happy for david and austin and kelley... :) i wish i could have been there for it
What a great day for everyone whose lives are forever changed. The joy is apparent on their faces. :c)
Wow. What a blessing it is for your son to have a ma that will take note of all these crucial moments in his life for him to look back on many years later in admoration and rememberance. I've often wondered, how does one go about getting baptised at PCC? Not that I'm intrested or anything...
that's so cool that you have pictures of the event and that many people experienced it together!! How neat that Lonnie got to baptize his son. I love the picture of him kissing David!! I remember when Dave bapized our boys. It was so wonderful to see him have that pleasure. It's a great landmark in life!!! congratulations Mom!!
It was great to see the photos of David, Austin, and Kelley. Daleen and I are so excited when people come to a point in their lives where they are ready to take such a giant leap that will truly change them forever. This is especially true when it comes to members of our PCC family!
Blessings to both the newly baptized!
What an exciting day for a mother! Thanks for letting us in on a little of it via your photos.
This reminds me of the verse my grandmother loved--"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 3 John 1:4
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