“People from the community stopped playing, walking, and talking along the beach to see what was going on,” says Karen Hallberg, associate director of mission mobilization and connection for the Evangelical Covenant Church Department of World Mission. “A young family, curious about the baptism, asked members of the church to pray for their sick child.”
Four Covenant missionaries serve at the church. Eugenio and Pia Restrepo are long-term missionaries; Erin Neises and Katy Kerl are short-term missionaries.
Nearly 150 people gathered under a tent on the beach for the service. Among the attendees were 14 members of a youth mission team from Bellingham Covenant Church in Bellingham, Washington.
Curious beachgoers watched and listened as the congregation sang songs of praise. Pastor Juan Carlos preached from John 3, and individuals gave witness of their desire to be baptized. Blue skies, cold water and big waves added to the experience.
Non-traditional ministries have helped the church reach out to the community. Among the baptized was a pilates instructor at the fitness center the church operates. Others baptized included two young men who have struggled with drugs, a young mother finding healing from a past filled with violence and abuse, and an 11-year-old boy reached through soccer connections.
