Have you ever followed a path of new understanding about something in the Bible — something that’s been right in front of you your entire life? That curiosity and new insight led Reverend Wilbur Coates and his son, Pastor Paul Coates, to realize they wanted to be baptized.
Paul and his wife, Janet, were discussing baptism with their daughter McKenzie, reflecting on how water signified a new beginning or identity, about Jesus’ baptism as an act of obedient submission to God and God’s will. During that conversation, Paul had a moment of realization — he could not recall his own baptism.
Paul had received Jesus as his Savior and Lord after his senior year of high school but had never been baptized. He had baptized others who came to faith and even required his youth leaders to be baptized. But Paul kept putting it off. “I had been running as fast as I could in ministry, but I had never really thought about it for me.” Until now.
Seeing baptism as an act of obedience and love for Jesus, Paul realized he must follow in Christ’s footsteps and be baptized too.
Shortly after this revelation Paul and Janet visited Paul’s 100-year-old father, Wilbur. During the trip, Paul decided, “I’m going to ask Dad to baptize me while we are there.” Wilbur’s residence had a pool and logistically it wouldn’t be too difficult for him to accomplish this. So, the plan was made. 
As they visited, Paul told his dad about his new understanding on baptism. He asked Wilbur if he would baptize him out in the pool. As Wilbur listened to his son’s request, he had a realization and request of his own: “I don’t think I’ve ever been baptized. Would you baptize me?”
On February 4, 2025, a sacred and amazing thing took place at Wilbur’s home. Sitting in a chair near the pool, Dad Coates spoke a few words, prayed and then baptized his son, Paul, by pushing his head under the water. Next it was Wilbur’s turn. Paul took a bowl of water and with the help of his sister, Marilyn, Paul poured the water over his dad’s head, baptizing him in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
A sacrament established thousands of years ago, now received through faith in a simple ceremony performed in a swimming pool, bore witness to new identities given and obedience fulfilled. While Wilbur and Paul participated in full lives of kingdom service, they learned that continual obedience to Christ unlocks more of the fullness of all that God has for us. And they wanted it ALL.
Twenty-four days after their baptisms, Wilbur Coates went home to be with Jesus. He had fulfilled his mission on this earth and moved on to bigger and better things.
Janet Coates is a Wesleyan pastor’s wife from High Point, North Carolina.
