A VERY GOOD AFTERNOON

Cherylyn Radford, Interim Bowridge Site Pastor

This past Sunday was a really good day in the life of RockPointe Church. Over 200 friends, family and various RockPointers gathered on the banks of the Bow River and watched as 22 people followed the example of Jesus and were baptized. These individuals came from 3 of our sites as well as some who are part of our on-line community. They ranged in age from 9 to 82 and all ages in between.

It was an amazing afternoon.

I must confess though that I ran the gamut of emotions that day. When I drove into church that morning at 7:30 it was dark and ominous looking and my Environment Canada weather app had a scary number of lightning bolts in it. As I tend to err on the side of caution in all aspects of my life, I texted a staff group chat asking what we should do. Thankfully this chat is full of people less anxious than I and they all said, “full steam ahead.” So, we all started to pray that the lightning would hold off and got ready to head to the river.

And then the blessings just began to pour out. It might have been a tad chilly, but that meant that parking was not a problem this year compared to many other years. We had the place to ourselves.

When we started to gather, the most amazing thing happened, the sun started to shine. Not continually, but enough.

We listened as candidate after candidate testified to the goodness of God in their lives. How he changed them. How he gives purpose and how all of them wanted to say, “yes Jesus, I am yours, use me.” They didn’t speak of changed circumstances and a life free of hardship, but rather one of changed hearts and lives full of joy and peace despite their circumstances.

And then, one by one, 22 people took the very cold step of obedience and illustrated how they have died to themselves and been buried and have been raised to new life in Christ. And every time, cheering rang out across the Bow River.

Our final candidate had a kitchen mishap that morning and needed stitches in her hand, but she did not let that deter her from getting baptized. Her and her family arrived straight from urgent care and we could see her running to the river. We all were blessed to watch this young woman get baptized at the end of our time together with a rubber glove protecting the new stitches. It was glorious.

As I said earlier, I ran the gamut of emotions that day, but I most certainly ended with gratitude. Gratitude to all those who choose to obey and be baptized. Gratitude for the multitude of people who came out despite the chill to cheer on their brothers and sisters in Christ. And most of all gratitude to the God who sees us.

It has been challenging this year at RockPointe and yet, through it all, God has been faithful. And his faithfulness was on full display at the river this Sunday. God reminded me that he will build his church. He is always building his church. Nothing in all of existence can prevent him from building his church. And it is my job to open my eyes and see all that he is doing here at RockPointe and around the world. I am so grateful he reminded me he is on the move. He is changing lives and he holds RockPointe firmly in his hand.

As we closed our time on the river over 200 voices rang out in declaration.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow

Praise him all creatures here below

Praise him above you heavenly hosts

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Amen