February Sabbath Warms for Outdoor Baptism

“IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN MICHIGAN!”

Sabbath morning, February 12, 2023 was just that! Morning broke bright and sunny with gloriously brilliant colors in the eastern sky. The snow sparkled like it was composed of tiny rainbow-filled diamonds.  The air was a crispy 22 degrees, and the promise was for a warmer, but much windier afternoon.

When Stephen J. Wold and Pastor Benjamin Garcia started studying together early in 2022, Steve shared his desire to be baptized outdoors – in a natural setting, instead of in the church’s baptistery.  But sometimes “life” gets in the way and takes our plans off track, or at least delays them. 

But when the lessons were completed in November, an outdoor baptism seemed unlikely. But God knew the earnestness of Steve’s desire to not to delay his decision and desire to be baptized outdoors until warmer weather would arrive. So shortly after 3pm, this FEBRUARY Sabbath afternoon, a group of 10 church members, friends and family gathered at the Au Sable River in Grayling, Michigan to support Mr. Wold’s decision and desire. After the much colder days of the past two months, the sunny, 42 degrees felt balmy even with the wind. God is so GOOD!

The review of the baptismal vows had been done during the morning worship hour at the Kalkaska church. They voted to accept Mr. Wold into the worldwide Adventist family in their local congregation subject to his afternoon baptism. The service by the river went smoothly and quickly. The service ended with a prayer offered by Pastor Garcia, for the promised infilling of the Holy Spirit in Mr. Wold’s life, to empower and equip him for the work God has planned for him, and a special blessing on him and his family for the days and years ahead –Till Jesus Returns!!