November 2nd Outdoor Baptism

We have been having great success here at Ft. Sill with many non-members coming to our Church services on Sundays. We are located in the training area in the bottom floor classrooms of one of the barracks. Our attendance is usually anywhere from 75 to 80 members and 15to 20 non-members in any given week.

We have had several baptisms since our arrival as we mentioned in our earlier posts to this blog, but on the 2nd we had a special experience, our first outdoor baptism. The font we usually use has been leaking and now is under major overhauling, so we put off doing any baptisms. This would not do for one of our most recent investigators and he desired after waiting for several weeks to have the service performed out of doors if necessary.

Luckily there was a quiet and secluded place found within walking distance of the barracks and training area, only a mile and half walk down the road. Even though it was on the road, there is rarely any traffic since it is on Post and only military personnel use it on weekdays.

Below is a picture of the setting we were in for the Baptism, it reminded us of how the early Church members must have felt while performing the same ordinances in the beginning when the fonts were not built yet.

This picture was on the opposite side of the road from where we actually had the immersion of the convert.

The water was almost waist high just a few feet from the bridge abutments on the side of the creek.

There was some r-bar sticking out of the cement, but the surface of the creek bed was solid and provided good footing for the new member and his battle buddy.

The service went well and the water was cold, the spirit we all felt was very strong and wonderful. We know that the setting was unusual, but it felt so right, being there in the wonder of nature with only our little group and the Lord. We will never forget that feeling of peace.

Who knows we may have to do more outdoor baptisms if the font doesn't get fixed in the near future, we have about 8 or 9 more investigators who are ready to commit to moving forward waiting in the wings.

The last picture is of the same outdoor service with the missionaries and the new convert with his battle buddy who baptised him. This was taken just before they entered the water, and performed the ordinance. As you can see it was very warm weather for November at this time.

We are enjoying the Lord's work in this part of his vineyard, and pray that we can continue to have the success we have been experiencing. Watch for updates on a weekly basis to our blog, and register as a follower so we know someone is following our mission.