PUEBLA, MEXICO (March 28, 2007) \u2013 Jerry Love had the baptismal service all planned. He knew how the service was supposed to proceed. God had different ideas, says the Evangelical Covenant Church missionary.
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\nJerry and his wife, Vicky, are planting a church here and were looking forward to the two adults and four children scheduled to come forward for baptism. He had not imagined the power of the testimonies that would be offered \u2013 nor the response. The baptism fiesta was about to get out of hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had prepared a message to be delivered after the baptisms, which were to take place in our newly tiled baptismal cistern,\u201d Love says. Fathers had been invited to help baptize their own children. \u201cWe never counted on the emotional and spiritual impact of this shared experience,\u201d he says. Testimonies of the fathers and their children brought tears to the eyes of those attending, including Jerry.<\/p>\n
The missionary recalls that an older woman named Aurora was next. \u201cI apologized to Coral, a dear friend who had counseled and supported Aurora for several years and was responsible for her coming to Christ, for not advising her to bring a change of clothing to join us in the water,\u201d Jerry says. \u201cShe responded by taking off her shoes and climbing down the steps fully clothed. Her comments to and about Aurora were choked with emotion that we all shared.\u201d<\/p>\n
The party had barely begun.<\/p>\n
Two children of a woman who is one of the original church members unexpectedly announced that they also wanted to be baptized. The father doesn\u2019t attend the church, but having seen one woman already make an unplanned trip into the water, Jerry jokingly suggested that the mother join her children to help baptize them.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt that, she also took off her shoes, and in her Sunday best, down she came,\u201d Jerry says. \u201cWith hugs and tears of joy, we both submerged her son and daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Others began to say that they, too, wanted to be baptized. The mother of the worship team\u2019s leader was one who came forward. The surprised daughter then made her way to the front of the church \u201cand with joyful tears took the microphone to thank God for the fruit of years of prayer for her mother\u2019s salvation,\u201d Jerry says.<\/p>\n
The people kept coming. A woman who had given her life to the Lord only days before came forward. In all, a dozen people were baptized, and more wanted to be immersed.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore any more people got their only clothes wet, I offered to plan another baptism soon,\u201d Jerry noted, \u201cand for anyone who felt left out, I asked that they let us know their desire to be baptized. \u201cThen I gave the benediction, the sermon not being necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n
At least six persons indicated their interest, Jerry says, \u201cso now we have to see when we can plan another fiesta.\u201d<\/p>\n
And wait to see what God does with those plans.<\/p>\n