Even when you plan, prepare and ask God to show up, the move of God can take you by surprise in some beautiful ways.
Volunteers at Christ Wesleyan Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, were making final preparations on Easter Sunday morning to welcome guests and church family to worship. While setting out the cross and lilies, a local security guard was heading home from a 15-hour work shift. As he passed by the church, he heard the Lord speaking to him, “Today, Dominique, today.”
Dominique listened to the Lord and headed straight for the church. He then shared with Pastor Ken Klein his story and need to obey God, which included an immediate call to start living boldly for him. In bold obedience to that call, Dominique was baptized at the foot of that cross on the steps of the church with a stew pot full of water.
“During Holy Week at Oklahoma Wesleyan University, students gathered for a powerful chapel service centered on the question, “Why does Jesus save?” — a time of reflection and celebration of the gospel. The service culminated in a meaningful moment of public declaration of faith as two students took the step of baptism, boldly declaring their commitment to follow Jesus,” shared Reverend Torrey Martin, university pastor.
New Carlisle Wesleyan Church (Indiana) had an unusual experience on Easter. A living example of Acts 16’s story of the Philippian jailer’s household came to life as Pastor Don Bayne baptized an entire family of six on Easter Sunday morning.
As other stories within The Wesleyan Church are being gathered and shared, we celebrate these Easter moments of people coming to Jesus for dedication, baptism, restoration, salvation, victory over strongholds — to be Made New:
- Albion Wesleyan Church, Indiana: 1 baptism, 7 professions of faith
- Avivamiento Latino Church, Durham, North Carolina: 4 professions of faith
- Bagley Swamp, Hertford, North Carolina: 6 baptisms, 9 children dedications
- C*Road Church, Lyn, Ontario: 7 baptisms
- CityHope, Rochester, New York: 6 baptisms, 5 professions of faith
- Corbett Church, Fredericton, New Brunswick: 10 baptisms
- Dundalk Wesleyan Church, Ontario: 3 new members
- Framework Church, Presque Isle, Maine: 10 professions of faith
- Franklinville Wesleyan Church, North Carolina: 5 new members
- Lakeview Wesleyan Church, Marion, Indiana: 13 baptisms, 5 first-time commitments to Christ
- New Life Gillette Church, Gillette, Wyoming: 80 total professions of faith which include 71 first-time commitments to Christ
- ReThink Church, Merrillville, Indiana: 1 baptism, who found victory over addiction through Christ
- Pleasant Union Wesleyan, Liberty, North Carolina: 3 professions of faith
- Staley Wesleyan Church, North Carolina: attendance doubled to 27
- The River Church, Marion, Indiana: 190 indicated they prayed to receive Christ
- Tidal Church, Moncton, New Brunswick: 700 attended Saturday outreach that indicated no church home or affiliation
- Trinity Wesleyan Church, Indianapolis, Indiana: 20 baptisms
Rev. Angela Alvarado is the assistant editor of Communication and Administration of The Wesleyan Church and a graduate of Wesley Seminary, Marion, Indiana.
