Sunday Church Service

Today I attended Cairns Road Baptist Church with some new friends. The service had a warm, family feel to it as well as an air of celebration as two high school aged boys were baptized. One reminded me so much of Jake, our sophomore, tall and lanky. The service centered around the baptism of these young men and what it meant that they were making a public demonstration that they were followers of Jesus.

Two things struck me about the baptism of these two "lads". One was that they seemed to be from different socio-economic levels. Though good friends, one young man talked about growing up in a single-parent home and recounted when God provided for daily needs when there was not any money. He testified to how he had seen God's faithfulness to his family in this way. The other boy talked more about those who had influenced his life and personal growth and did not mention situations. The other part that struck me was one of the pastor's questions that he asked the boys before baptizing them. There were three: one ask them if they believed in the Triune God, the second whether they had decided to follow Jesus and the third, and I remember the pastor saying that this was "very important", that they would stand and work for social justice and resist evil both individually and as a part of the Christian community. Growing up Baptist, I had never heard the third question before. This church definitely sees a major part of following Christ as aligning oneself with good in issues of justice in society. No mention of personal devotions and "Jesus and me," rather representing Jesus out there in the culture. Interesting.

After the service I spoke with at least three people and all of them knew of and/or had been influence by Agape (Campus Crusade in Europe). I was pleasantly surprised. Of course all of them had gone to the university. I didn't take my camera today and now I wish I had for the baptisms to show the kids. Seeing them reminded me of baptizing Jake and Jonny - being a part of your children taking steps towards following Jesus is one of the greatest joys!