Baptismal Service

Back on July 1st, our church plant had it's first baptismal service. So many providential events lead up to that glorious occasion. It would be impossible to share all of those stories in this post, but allow us to share a few of them. 

This past year, the Lord, in His mercy, love, and grace, saved Susana (right) and Anna (left). Through a series of events in their lives, some godly examples, the Word of God, and much prayer, both of them accepted Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior.

I spent several months teaching through the importance of believer's baptism in our Sunday Bible study. After this study was completed, both approached me with their desire to follow and identify with Christ by taking the next step of obedience in believer's baptism.  What a joy it was to hear how the Holy Spirit was using His Word to work in the hearts of His new daughters.

God providentially provided a place for the baptism as well. It's a long story, but the short version goes as follows...Through an American friend of our here in Antofagasta, we were invited to attend an "Ex-patriot" BBQ in order to meet and get to know the growing and loving community that is those who live and work in Antofagasta, but are from the US, Canada, England, Scotland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. While at that picnic, our family was introduced to a family from Australia. They lived in a house with a large swimming pool in the backyard, so I kindly asked if it could a possibility for our church to use the pool for a baptism.  The Pacific Ocean is always available, but it's a bit cold during our winter months of June, July, and Aug. They graciously allowed us to use the pool on a Sunday afternoon. 

Before heading over to the pool for the baptismal, Anna (above) and Susana (below) gave their salvation testimonies in front of our whole group. They also shared with us their understanding of why they wanted/needed to follow Christ in believer's baptism. Many tears of joy were shed during this service.

The photo of our group in Antofagasta (taken at the baptismal service)

Please pray for Susana and Anna as they continue to grow in Christ. It has been an awesome experience to watch God's working here in this needy city of Antofagasta.  Thanks to those who have faithfully prayed for and financially supported our family and new church planting ministry in northern Chile.