Taking the Plunge

Nov 24, 2024 | by The Fellowship

For the first few decades of my life, hearing the word baptism always brought back a memory of when I was a young boy, maybe 3 or 4 years old. I was brought to a church for which before that day I have no recollection and very few after it. I strongly remember crying because I thought someone was going to wash my hair as they sprinkled water on my head. That single event probably was the ritual on which I based my opinion of all organized religion for many years. To me, it was scary and confusing. There was absolutely no association with the love of Jesus when I think of that day.

Because of His incredible grace, Jesus led me, a ski bum from Vermont, to Katy, Texas, and The Fellowship. When I started coming to this church almost five years ago, I had no real understanding of how much Jesus had sacrificed for me and how loving and welcoming His followers could be. I would eventually be convinced to attend an Authentic Manhood Group where my journey began as a follower of Jesus. Over the next few years, I attended many more men’s groups and events at The Fellowship, and my relationship with Jesus was forged.

It took four years before I attended Discover (that is a story for another day)!  Discover is a monthly opportunity to learn the basic beliefs  on which this church is founded and how to become a member.  I learned that baptism is not the scary thing I had always thought, but was in fact a beautiful expression of one’s love for Jesus. The possibility of being baptized to demonstrate my love for Jesus made me excited and I began to pray for the right time.

The one thing that I was not fully jazzed about was being baptized in a pool. Now please understand that I think The Fellowship has a beautiful baptismal pool, but Jesus has always used nature to show me things He wants me to see and to teach lessons He has for me. So when I decided to attend this year’s Men’s Retreat (my first), I was excited to discover it was on a beautiful lake.

Upon arriving, it was to learn that I would be rooming with none other than the man I consider my first pastor -- Pastor Robert.  He and I have spent countless hours fishing at Sargent Beach, and he has played a giant role in my life. On Friday evening as we were lying in our bunks, Pastor Robert was telling me about his trip to Israel and being baptized in the River Jordan. It was then that I felt a pull on my spirit and asked Pastor Robert if he would baptize me in the lake while we were at the retreat. He agreed that it was the perfect place for me, and we made plans to make it happen the next day with help from the retreat organizer.

Just before “taking the plunge” as I called it, I was overwhelmed because all the other men attending the retreat showed up to support me. As Pastor Robert and I entered the lake, I could feel God’s love and His greatness as the lake’s muddy clay squeezed between my toes. It was with a heart full of joy that I proclaimed that Jesus is my Lord and Savior for the entire world to hear. When I was lifted out of the water, I felt like something had changed. My soul felt free and stronger than ever before.

Baptism is not the scary thing I thought it was as a child. It is a beautiful step in a follower’s journey with Jesus! I am so glad that I took the plunge!

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,
for all of you who were baptized into Christ
have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Galatians 3:25-27