Those who entered the water of Darlington Lake emerged not only with huge smiles, but with a renewed spirit. A sense of Christ’s power within them.
If you glanced skyward around 9am on Sunday, the cloud coverage didn’t exactly inspire confidence in the day ahead.
It was dark.
Ominous.
And thick.
But as we’ve learned countless times through the years, God’s timing is perfect, isn’t it?
Just-in-time perfect.
At 9:59am, a ray of sunshine filtered through the darkness. And moments later, as Pastor Jason Martin and the worship team struck their first chords, hundreds of Pathway worshipers sang God’s praises as He parted the clouds with even more sunshine and clearer skies.
“Who thinks this is awesome?” Pastor Jeff asked as he took the stage.
Everyone raised their hands. A few even raised their voices with shouts of “Yes!” and “It is!”
It was, indeed, a glorious gathering at Darlington Lake for Pathway’s annual all-church service and baptism celebration. The event takes place each July and brings together our entire faith community for a morning of fun in the sun. With a glistening lake as his backdrop and a cool breeze funneling through the shelter, Pastor Jeff encouraged everyone to relish our time outdoors.
“I don’t want us to walk away with only an appreciation for the beauty around us,” he stressed. “But an appreciation for the beauty of The One who created what’s all around us.”
He continued.
“Just like you learn about Andy Warhol or Rembrandt by looking at their work, we learn about God by looking at his artistry.”
In-between the rousing worship set and Pastor Jeff’s message, 16 baptism candidates stepped forward to share their moving stories of how God had transformed their lives.
“I don’t regret the path I’ve walked, but I regret the way I made people feel along the way,” said Jimi Moore. “I thank my dad for always inviting me to church and for never giving up on me. He showed me that Jesus is the way.”
David Lee revealed he was raised Roman Catholic and once considered the seminary. Then his life spiraled out of control.
“I turned to alcohol instead of turning to Jesus. But God answered my prayers and He’s never let me go. I thank Him for that.”
Harper Bartlomain, 8, recalled her salvation experience precisely.
“We were in the car and I asked my mom, ‘what should I say to be saved?’ My mom told me and I said what she said,” Harper remembered, drawing laughter from the crowd.
“I almost lost my wife for being a butthead with my family,” Randy Carter admitted. “Then I gave everything to the Lord. I’ve seen His love and I want that love in my heart — not the ache in my heart from the past.”
Before he concluded the service with prayer, Pastor Jeff thanked Annie and Ed Knotts for graciously allowing Pathway to use The Gathering Place facilities each year. Even though they host weddings nearly every weekend during the summer months, the Knotts family always keeps the date open for Pathway’s summer service.
So thank you, Annie and Ed, for your generosity and hospitality.
And thank you, Father, for another glorious morning at the lake.
Here is a complete list of all who were baptized on Sunday:
Adult candidates:
Jimi Moore
Randy Carter
David Lee
Judy McCullough
Jessica Hines (spontaneous baptism)
Youth Candidates:
Everly Richards
Ethan Schwab
Murray McCune
Talia Maruca
Tobi Maruca
Lincoln Haboush
Elaina Nilsen
Ethan Guevara
Harper Bartlomain
Alicia Pyle
Tyler Bish
Liam Cairns
Delaney Marx (spontaneous baptism)