Spontaneous Baptisms
By Jill Warbington
 [Editor’s note: God’s Plan for Sharing (GPS) has four mileposts; Praying, Engaging, Sowing, and Harvesting. The end result is the celebration of baptism, so this story seems to pave the way for many more exciting baptisms in the days to come. Pray expectantly for what God wants to do in your area as you pray for the lost.]
Sunday, February 1st, was an incredible day at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church. Our Senior Pastor, Bryant Wright, preached the Word in each of our five services. That wasn’t new or different. What was different was the response. Bryant preached from Mark1:1, 9-11 on Jesus’ Baptism and You. He presented the clear picture of Jesus’ baptism and God’s call for each of us to obediently follow His example as a testimony of our faith. Bryant addressed fears and objections to baptism head on. It was not a move to increase the membership of Johnson Ferry, but to encourage all who are called to Christ to follow Him.
We had spontaneous baptisms in all five services. At our 10 o’clock hour, we had three pastors baptizing in two separate services, in three different pools. In all, five pastors baptized 228 followers of Christ – men, women, and children. We had first time professions of faith, members rededicating their lives, visitors from out of state following the Lord’s leading, and participants ranging from young children to senior adults. More people were baptized on Sunday than were baptized at Johnson Ferry in 2008!
Our staff was meticulous in planning…for a possible 100. As usual, God’s plans were far greater than ours. The Holy Spirit moved in a mighty way Sunday. You could see it. One minister said, “It was like being at Pentecost – seeing the Spirit of God move on the people.” We had the baptistery in the Sanctuary for our blended traditional services and two portable pools in our Activities Center for Contemporary Worship. Church staff, members, and volunteers were working together, across service styles and times, running to the store twice to get more towels and supplies for all who responded. God was calling and people were coming. It was a day of humble obedience before God. Individual lives were changed. It was unifying as a church to be in the midst of God at work.
For the congregation, it truly was a spontaneous service. Those who had been in worship the Sunday before were told to come expecting a service unlike any other at Johnson Ferry. That’s it. Many were curious. Some expectant. Most were moved. All witnessed the power of God.
Our “daughter” church, Cedarcrest Church in Acworth, did a spontaneous baptism service last fall, baptizing 52 people in one day. We are so grateful to them for sharing their creative worship ideas with us, and rejoice with them in how God is working.
Now, we’re praying for all who were baptized. Scripture tells us that after Jesus was baptized, He faced a time of trial and temptation. Anytime people step forward to follow Jesus, they will also face spiritual warfare and challenge. We’re praying for those who came Sunday, that they will stay close to Jesus and will grow in their faith and love for Him.
Jill Warbington is the Communications Director for Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, GA. |
