Nearly 100 New Hope Windward (NHW) members, family and friends converged on Kailua Beach on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in May. At first, the large group gathering looked like any other picnic happening in Hawaii on this fine Memorial Day weekend. Parents sat in the shade as children frolicked in the sun. There was music, food and fellowship. But make no mistake about it; this was no ordinary day at the beach!
This was the day that they made a public declaration of an inward commitment to their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! This declaration, an advertisement to the world, was neither subtle nor passive. On the contrary, the crowd roared with approval with the immersion of each and every member. The activity caught the attention of everyone on the beach and we trust that God was watching as well. He must have been so proud!
“As a pastor, nothing brings more joy to me than water baptism,” said Senior Pastor Dave Barr. “Jesus himself was water baptized in the Jordan River and this serves as a model for all believers to follow. The New Testament reveals that once someone ‘believed’ in Christ, they were then baptized to make a public statement of this belief.”
Water Baptism, the act of going under the water and then rising up out of it, is symbolic of Christ’s death and resurrection. We, too, must die to our old life and rise up with a new life in Christ – a commitment to do things God’s way.
Congratulations to all who were Water Baptized!
NHW conducts Water Baptism on a quarterly basis. Click on the “Water Baptism” icon on the bottom to find out more!
