We had our first baptism as a community yesterday.

It was great :)

We met at the Lab first, because we have visitors every week, and we didn't want to see them come to an empty, closed pub. So we started there, and sure enough, there were some visitors. They didn't come with us down to the river, but I'm glad we were there to at least explain to them what was happening and welcome them. I hope they come back.

We went down to Sellwood Riverfront Park on the Willamette River. We sat on the lawn and talked about what God has been saying to us this last year, what He's been doing to and through and in and for us.

I explained again the commitment that was being made by those who were going to be baptized... And the commitment that our communty was making to each individual.

And we walked down to the water...


There were probably about a hundred of us. We baptized four people and I asked each one in turn,

"Do you, in front of this community, place your faith in Jesus Christ as your savior, willingly walk away from sin and selfishness, and vow to follow Him no matter the cost?"

And then I asked the community as a whole,

"In light of what (x) is saying to you and to the world today, do you all promise to walk with him/her, pray for him/her, love and teach him/her and do whatever you can to encourage (x) as he/she seeks to follow Christ?"

Everyone answered yes. And with much gusto! :) It was great to see and hear.

And after we walked through both questions with the "candidate" and the community, we walked each down into the water and baptized them.



The cheers of the people as each individual came out of the water were really amazing. Tears, cheers, hugs all around.

Thanks to Mike'n'Katie Alpert for the pics. Did anyone else happen to get some they can send me?