By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
NEW ORLEANS – Ninety-two people went all in one recent Sunday at Celebration Church’s six campuses in the New Orleans area, participating in believer’s baptism.
This “All In” weekend at Celebration Church was scheduled to stress the importance of baptism in a Christian’s life. Leading up to the weekend, Celebration Church staff prepared its members by explaining what baptism is about and the important role it plays in the life of a Christian.
Fifteen people were originally scheduled for baptism in the middle of the services but many more came forward at the end of the worship services on July 18 and 19 to take this important step. To ensure those coming forward for baptism were confident in their decision, the candidates went to a counseling room, where afterwards they received a shirt and towel before participating in baptism.
Through the first week of August, 384 people have been baptized at the church’s campuses. Lead pastor Dennis Watson believes the church can meet its goal of 520 for 2015 by the end of the year.
Statewide, Louisiana Baptists have baptized an average of 11,261 per year since 2002. Prior to that, the average was 13,200, before LifeWay changed its method of reporting baptisms.
After Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, adult baptisms have remained fairly stable, though baptisms of children and youth and declined, as well as attendance of Sunday school and small groups. The rate of baptisms per year normally is 10 percent of Sunday school and small group attendance.
“With a minimal amount of work, empowered by the Holy spirit, we can see all-time highs in baptisms,” said Keith Manuel, evangelism associate for Louisiana Baptists.
A step toward a Jesus follower
“Baptism is often times a difficult step for people to take here in the New Orleans region, because of the religious or non-religious cultures that most people have come from,” Watson said. “Therefore, we know that people are really taking a determined and decisive step towards being a ‘Jesus follower’ when they follow through with baptism, which means that they are planning to live a transformed life that will impact the people around them and the culture of our region in positive and powerful ways.”
Brooke James was one of 14 baptized at the River Parishes campus during the All In weekend. Before her baptism, James overcame isolation from her husband and children and a life of fear. After learning about Celebration Church and the love of Christ, James’ life turned around in a positive manner.
She said being one of the 92 baptized – the most ever for a single weekend at Celebration Church – was an indescribable feeling of God’s love on display.
“It’s a great feeling to know that people are growing in knowing the Lord,” she said of the weekend. “My heart really is overwhelmed with joy knowing that.
“I have walked in and out of my Christian life,” James said. “It took this past year to really open my eyes and heart. Sometimes it takes hitting rock bottom to know that the only one who can really help is God. I’m so glad I accepted Him into my life as well as my family.”
At the St. Bernard campus, Pastor Patrick Eagan overcame the obstacle of baptizing without the availability of safe water. The Wednesday night before the All In weekend, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals confirmed the presence of brain-eating amoeba in the water supply in St. Bernard Parish.
Eagan decided to fill the baptistery with some Kentwood drinking water.
“We found some volunteers who were willing to help us pick up and move the water and the rest is history,” Eagan said. “You know, it was kind of a challenge discerning what God wanted us to do, because honestly, we already had a jam-packed weekend planned. But it was a faith thing that led us to get the Kentwood water.
“One of the really cool things that God did is during our Saturday night service, a man walked in and told our staff that he was ready to get baptized and wanted to be baptized that night,” he continued. “It wasn’t planned – it was a total God thing. Seeing God do that made the whole trouble of filling the baptistery one Kentwood jug at a time completely worthwhile.”
The All In weekend was so impactful that it led to additional baptisms that following weekend. During services at the campuses on July 25 and 26, 46 more people elected to follow through with baptism.
Watson believes the reason for the increases in baptisms is in prayer and preparation. In his sermons leading up to July 18 and 19, Watson preached about the reason and scriptural basis for baptisms. Then, Watson said, Celebration Church allowed God to move.
“We planned for it, we promoted it and we prayed for it,” Watson said. “All year long we have planned for an increase.”
