18 Baptized!!!!

It never fails. EVERYtime we have a baptism service at Cornerstone I am brought to tears, today was NO exception. First of all, we had the largest number of people baptized on one day-18!!! We had former addicts, former prisoners, young teens, a family of a dad-mom-and daughter, single mothers, grandmothers, and more. Such a wide variety of backgrounds, races, ages, economic situations. It truly was a wonderful representation of our church as a whole, it is literally one of the most (if not the #1) diverse places I have ever stepped foot in.

They all had one thing in common-the thing that brings me to tears-an amazing love for Jesus. Many of them spoke, many cried themselves as they publicly shared of how the Lord led them out of addiction, prison, and bondage to sin. One lady simply said she has had a hole in her soul and God has finally filled it. Many spoke of the love and unity they feel being a part of Cornerstone. One spoke about our churches reputation for being the Cornerstone of our neighborhood. It was humbling to listen to the many praises spoken and to realize that God has used me and the others on our staff in some small way to bring these people to HIM. What an honor.

Days like today are a wonderful reminder of why we moved here almost 5 years ago.

One very special baptism today was this one...That's JE on the right for those of you who know him, and getting baptized is his sister! What a blessing it was to see the many years of prayers answered and to be there to witness her public display of her faith in Christ.

And, this has got to be my ALL time favorite baptism photo I have ever taken...For those of you who know Pastor Joe and Pastor Bill, you will laugh along with me! They aren't exactly the type to hug each other and this great woman was so excited she pulled them both into a big embrace, it was awesome and I am so glad my camera was up and ready to shoot!

And our youngest son was deeply moved by witnessing the baptisms, I even have proof...

Ha ha, I don't think he was spiritually moved but he sure did like the water and shouted several times (loud enough for many to hear), "do it again, right now, again in the water!." He continues to make us laugh and even those at church who barely know him. He is nuts and we love him so!