WEEKEND UPDATE (BAPTISM EDITION)!

Fantastic day at Crossroads on Sunday!  Huge crowd at the Cinema and at Lake Tholocco for Crossroads 4th Beach BBQ & Baptism!  The radar warned of threatening weather than never showed up, but more than 160 people did, to watch 25 people go public with their faith through baptism!  What a wonderful day!  Here's a few quick hits from the weekend:

1. Thanks to everyone who pitched in to make BBB a great experience for everyone!
2. Sunday morning started muggy and cloudy, like when we got rained out one year ago today and had to postpone, and I was thinking, "Not this time, Rainman.  We're gonna baptize people.  Deal with it!"  I really believed that everything would go off without a hitch.  Thank you God for such great weather!
3. The anticipation was electric at the Cinema.  I got to share about WHY we baptize people and WHO baptism is for.  It was great to see some folks make the decision to be baptized right then!  Awesome!
4. I love teaching about baptism.  It's one of my favorite topics that we get to share about at Crossroads.
5. Worship was SLAMMIN' on Sunday morning!  Absolutely LOVED that set!  Rise and Sing - I Am Free - All Over - Here I Am to Worship.  YESSSSS!!!
6. Never get tired of seeing Jack Black as Nacho Libre step out of the bathroom to impose his will in baptizing his friend.  Great video segment.  It's so wrong, but it sure makes the point!
7. Thanks to everyone who came early to help set up and get the burgers and dogs going!  
8. I was relieved as I stepped into the lake for the first time since October.  The water was unusually warm.  Last time...not so much.
9. Nothing in the world like seeing people emerge from the water!  That will never get old.
10. Baptizing people is the greatest honor I am afforded as a pastor.  I can't believe I get to participate! 

One of the coolest things about BB&B is standing in the water looking back at the crowd on the beach.  As we were standing there, Pastor Ben noted that there were many new faces since the last time we were there.  You know, because of the nature of our community being so focused on flight training, many come and then go and that's just the way it is.  We are a very transient community.  I believe in large part that is why God has placed Crossroads here. What a privilege it is to serve those in our community who are in one of the most significant times of transition in their lives.  We baptized people yesterday, someone of whom are moving out this week.  So tough to see them go, but the big takeaway for them and for those who remain here, is that everything they gave here, remains here.  And everything they gained here, they take with them to serve others.  I love being a part of what God is doing in our community, and if Beach, BBQ & Baptism is as good as it ever gets, then we are very, very rich indeed.  What a great God we serve!  Peace.