Having been a pastor’s kid and raised in the church, there’s a lot that happens in services that I’ve seen and heard many times. While in some cases this can be a positive by being able to have a larger perspective on “hot” issues, it can also be a negative in that you can get used to God’s grace and power and not be in true awe. Well this week’s service I was in awe and experienced something I’ve never experienced in church.
We had baptisms scheduled for today and usually we do it right after service, this time we decided to move the baptismal tank on stage and do it through worship at the end of the set. Before we get to that, let me say that weeks earlier our baptismal tank was stolen (odd I know) and we couldn’t afford to replace it. We had one member, Deb, so eager to get baptized she bought the baptismal tank for us. So after we finished the normal worship set of 5 songs, we started to play Gloria using Taylor Sorensen’s arrangement, not the Tim Smith, with loop, version we normally did. I got through the song one time through to give my pastor time to get people lined up and ready to go. One by one they came up and gave their testimony to the congregation as we played softly, as soon as they were done testifying we brought up the music and sung the “Gloria” chorus as they were dunked and baptized.
It was going great and then Deb came up and testified. I knowing full well the incredible transformation she had gone through was wondering what she would say publicly. Deb starts by acknowledging the prayers of her daughter and our female leaders that had gone on for 2 years, praying for her salvation. Deb encourages us that God works miracles, real life miracles. I’m blown away by God’s saving grace, and then Deb says it. God has delivered her from the sin in her life that had her captive for so long…homosexuality. Never in my life have I seen someone go from totally lost, fully engaged in the homosexual lifestyle, causes etc… Repent, get saved, and publicly testify to her deliverance of homosexuality. Not testify to her new perspective on homosexuality or how to live as a Christian with homosexual tendencies, but her deliverance. Not a single leader in our church having pushed her to say anything, do anything, only God’s loving grace that drew her to him. Truly a work of God and God alone.
The list of incredible testimonies heard is too long to mention. But God moved powerfully and I think this was one of the best services I’ve ever been a part of in my life. Thank you Jesus!
- Salvation Is Here – Hillsong United (loop used, not yet published)
- Dress Us Up – John Mark McMillan
- Our God Reigns – Delirious (loop available)
- Where We Belong – Hillsong (loop available)
- All I Need Is You – Hillsong United
- Gloria 34 – Taylor Sorensen
Baptisms on Stage from Life Connection Church on Vimeo.
This post is part of Fred McKinnon’s Set List Sundays.
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Most amazing thing I have been apart of… I was so blessed to see what Jesus can do in some ones life. I believe Deb is going to be a samaritan woman who is the key to reaching a whole city for Jesus. The song Gloria was great with the baptism. I love the transforming power of Jesus.
Hey man you do some cool stuff with your sets. I like the loops and arrangements and thought behind the tunes. Good stuff!
HL
Thanks HL for the encouragement!
That was the best baptismal services I have ever been apart of. It flowed so well, but the testimonies made it. Some crazy miracles.
Your. Loops. Rock.
Jay thanks so much for the compliment man, I really appreciate it.
We did our last 2 baptisms during worship, it works great for us.
Thanks for sharing. I love reading ideas from other churches. Keep up the great work.
Great set list, and sounds like it was a powerful service as well!