Something to chew on...baptism outside of America

I started following Jesus at 15 years of age in a small church in Southwest Missouri. There wasn't anything flashy what so ever about my home church. Those men and women worked long blue collar jobs and sacrificed every week to teach Sunday school, open the church, set up chairs, move rooms, and much more to see Jesus become King in so many lives. The longer I am away from those people the more appreciative I am of those who loved me, prayed for me, and encouraged me. Deacons who served not only in title but in practice.

I learned to pray by setting in on adult prayer meetings throughout high school and college. This I feel has been lost in so many churches. You want to see faith... then watch a farmer get on his knees and beg God for rain and it starts pouring before someone else can pray. You want to see faith modeled start watching groups of men and women pray and lives are changed right before your eyes.

So from the time of 15 to now I have witnessed a large amount of baptisms (the public declaration of being a Christ follower). Being here for 11 years I have also had the great opportunity to baptize men and women from all kinds of backgrounds, journeys, and stories.

What I witnessed in Asia was over the top in regards to baptism. To see these women who stepped into the baptism waters with full hearts yet anxious, steadfast courage yet tentative..the questions that were asked of them caused me to ponder hard and think through how I view baptism.

First Question: Have you trusted upon the Lord Jesus Christ has your Lord and Savior? This seems to be an obvious question and a great place to start. This is where baptism starts...a public loyalty to Jesus.

Second Question: Are you willing to endure persecution, isolation, abandonment, and loss of family for the Gospel? What!!! Yes that question gets asked. Not just one time either. Every time. Every person. That this following of Jesus will lead to persecution. Not that it "might" but that it will. See here! And these ladies with courage and counted the cost and responded with full hearts a hearty "yes!" Are you kidding me?! What if your baptism was proceeded with these questions? What would your answer be? The same? Would answer a yes to this question cause you to think harder how you would now live? How you would now love? care? give?

Then to see this ladies go under the water and come out of the water with huge smiles on their faces left me speechless. Truly. I walked away thanking God, renewing my own heart, and asking God to give me the greater courage to walk in His Spirit.

Church in America I say again we must sit at the feet of the global church. When you go on your next international journey ask those you are visiting to speak into your life. Let them speak about how they live life, do ministry, serve others, and sacrifice. Truly let's learn. With all of the church planting movements around the globe... they have left the gimmicks, pomp, and glitter on the sidelines and invested in people, prayed, and are seeing the Spirit move. Let's learn & then implement.

A couple of pics:

Jerrell