January was a big one for our church, we had our first baptisms! Two littles, Eliana and Emmie were baptized, along with one of our church members, Carly. Â It was such a special night and God was so evident. Â All of our group members, as well as parents, family, and friends filled the home where we meet regularly. Â We worshiped together, and then each group member shared a word of blessing or scripture over each person being baptized. Â Carly also shared her testimony of faith. Â We prayed for filling of the Holy Spirit, and celebrated together afterwards with a big meal with all of our families, friends, and community.
Baptisms are incredibly special to us for a couple reasons.  First of all, we believe that a person who is baptized is taking up the call to die to self and follow Christ wholeheartedly.  2 Corinthians 5: 14-17 says, “Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
We also believe that when someone is baptized, they are baptized into Christian community.  Baptism is not just about us, but about our participation in the church of Jesus Christ.  We have an important part to play in community, and we also need others to urge us on and point us to Jesus.  It was beautiful for members of our church to be baptized surrounded by the people who are going to walk with them in their journey of faith.
Carly shared this word of testimony after her baptism with our group: “This group was the missing piece I was looking for as I started growing my relationship with God – just a community who welcomes me where I’m at, supports me in learning more about Jesus and gives me tactical ways to do it, and people who show me firsthand what it looks like to live their faith (not just the highlight reel but all of it).
It was a humbling and encouraging month for us, and we are so thankful for the work God is doing in our community. Â
Anthony and Kylie are church planting with Inspire principles and practices, in St Louis, MO, USA
