Last Sunday, seven people were baptised at Halswell Community Church—using a rented inflatable spa pool!
Chair of Elders, Rob McAuley, reflected that the morning had been an "inspirational and powerful time – the Spirit of God was there in a big way."
Each of those baptised shared a short testimony. Their stories were different, yet all pointed to God’s faithfulness and kindness.
Left to right: Alice, Hazel, Regan, Gideon, Susannah, Lucas, Zack, and Pastor Mato.
Hazel explained that although she has been a Christian for many years, now was the right time for her to take this step. "God has always been with me, and I’ve been through some very tough times, and in those times it’s only the grace of God that has dragged me through really."
Youth leader Zack had also been waiting for this moment. He had hoped to be baptised last year but had to postpone due to a broken arm. Speaking to the many friends and family present, he said that a "relationship with the living God is a great thing. 10 out of 10 – would recommend."
Alice, Regan, Lucas, Gideon, and Susannah—all part of the HCC youth group—also shared their stories. Some spoke of growing up in Christian homes where parents read the Bible and prayed with them, and of realising personally the need to take this step of obedience. Others had no church background at all until they were invited along to a youth group 'big night out', where they found a welcoming community of friends eager to talk about Jesus.
Pastor Mato Kariuki shared with the HCC prayer team afterwards:
"Honestly, some weeks running youth group can be so hard. You prepare things, and print stuff, and then you just find all the sheets left behind afterwards, you make food, and then they make a big mess and don’t help tidy up. But we persevere and we have days like last Sunday.
"Often times the Lord doesn’t let us see the fruits of our labours, in case we start to become proud, and think that by our own efforts we’re doing something good, but then when in his graciousness he allows us to see a small part of his work in people’s lives like this it is genuinely so encouraging.
"On my knees, waiting in the baptism pool, as I listened to each testimony in turn, I felt so humbled and grateful. Now we’ll need to continue consistently discipling them all."
