I am Still Amazed
I am still amazed at what God decided to do this morning at Mount Ararat. The Holy Spirit gave me a spiritual audible (Football term) in calling me through my 8 year old daughters devotion book for baptism. We read Acts 2:38 where Peter preached, “Repent and be baptized”! Those words rattled in my heart all the way from my prayers to my sermon. I put Sydney to bed, and then I called Gwen to ask about the possiblity of us setting up the portable baptistry for an impromptu call to commitment. She quickly called Davy (our facility manager) to check the possibility. Once he heard the vision, he did not hesitate a bit. He and his wife loaded up and headed to the church (30 minutes away) at 11:00pm Saturday night to get things ready. I went up to the church to join them for the filling party. I confessed to them I did not know what was going to happen on Sunday, but I knew in my soul we were being obedient to God.
As Paul Lof and I prayed before the first service, we called for heaven to fall down upon the day. I sensed the power and the fire of the Lord fall as I preached. And each hour, I concluded the message with Peter’s words: Repent and be baptized. Each hour had different responses, but each hour was amazing! When the call for people to come forward and be baptized while fully clothed came, I was blown away by the way God spoke to the hearts his people. People walked forward in brokenness, yet embracing hope. What a beautiful picture of rescue and restoration! Salvation fell upon Mount Ararat this day!
I am not looking to re-live past days, but I don’t think I would mind if God wanted to pour out himself like this again another Sunday. There have been many challenging days since God placed me in this role of Senior Pastor at Mount Ararat, so a day like today reminds me of what ministry is all about. It is easy to lose sight, to get distracted, and to miss the big picture.
Today, we baptized over 20 people (while fully clothed) in a portable baptistry out front of our worship center. We listened to their stories about how Jesus Christ has changed their lives. I am still amazed at what God can do in a human heart!
Holy Spirit thank you for speaking through my daughter Sydney’s devotion time. Thank you for your word, “Repent and be baptized”. Thank you for messing up our service. Feel free to interrupt, anytime! Or better yet, how about everytime!
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June 30th, 2008 at 5:07 am
amazing!!!
June 30th, 2008 at 6:54 am
Wow! This is so exciting to read! God is just so awesome!!!
June 30th, 2008 at 8:00 am
Absolutely amazing !! God’s work at Mt Ararat is ever present and awe inspiring.
June 30th, 2008 at 10:22 am
It was an amazing morning! Todd, thank you for your obedience and your passion. God worked through you in an incredible way. Not only did all those people come up for baptism, many, many others stood, confessing they were Christians who had failed to keep God first. That, too, was an amazing outpouring of the Spirit–praise God!
June 30th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Yesterday morning was amazing!! God was working through you in such an awesome way. Thank you for answering the call to be a Pastor!! God has blessed Mount Ararat with you!! I always stand in awe when I see God work, but yesterday I was blown away!! Days like yesterday remind me of the song “Awesome God” by Rich Mullins. I am thankful that I have God in my life and that He comes first and He is truly awesome!!
July 1st, 2008 at 10:18 am
I can’t begin to explain the feeling I had as I watched each of the people being baptized. A mother’s prayers of many years were answered that day when her daughter was baptized. I listened as Josh shared about his past and what God has done in his life…..wow!! And when you asked the next fella when he became a Christian and he said today, my heart jumped for joy. I don’t think he will ever forget that day, nor will I. We serve an awesome God. It’s amazing what God can do it we only listen to his prompting. I have written in my Bible a little note to myself…….slow to obey is the same as disobedience. So glad, Todd, you followed the calling of the Holy Spirit.
July 1st, 2008 at 10:35 am
Sunday was a highlight of our family’s worship at MABC and proof that God is bringing his Spiritual Power in a fresh outpouring Todd.
As my family and I received the words of the sermon and your call to pray over those who stood, the Spirit was willing. We felt the weight of the Spirit as we prayed for seperate people around us, the weeping confirmed His presence.
When the call for those to step out and be baptized came from you and the Lord, we felt fresh fire light up the entire room. I was truly blessed to be in our church Sunday.
We are praying for this fire of the Holy Spirit to continue to awaken our souls and those in our lives in Stafford.
Amen Brother.
July 1st, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Church,
I am one of those that was baptized Sunday morning. I was baptized as a child (12 yrs old) but throughout my adult years, I realized that I really didn’t fully comprehend my early baptism. As I told Pastor Gaston, I’ve spent my entire adult life believing, but not following God. I’ve been living life according to my own rules. Pastor Gaston you are truly a blessed man of God! I thank God for your guidance and candid discussions regarding my walk with God.
Pop, I know you are no longer here, You asked me to never give up on the Lord…and I won’t.
July 1st, 2008 at 9:16 pm
After our daughter, Kaycie, was baptized on Sunday, I sent this out to family and friends. Pastor Todd suggested I share it here. Be blessed!!!
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An inflatable pool and a horse troth?
Saturday was a typical day here at the Beckwith house. It was a bit hot and humid and Daddy was doing some morning chores. After lunch, Kaycie and Mitchell wanted to play. Daddy had bought an inflatable pool for them to splash around in. With their imaginations, it did not take long for them to start making the most of this little gift of cold water. Brian and I had stolen a few sweet moments just sitting in some chairs in the garage enjoying the shade while the two monkeys were playing in the yard behind the garage. We came into the garage (their is a window above his workbench where we could see them playing). I saw a big smile on Brian’s face and he asked what they were doing (He already knew- but, wanted to hear from them). They practically responded in unison and said “We are baptizing each other!!”. Brian asked if they would do it again so that we could see. Mitchell sat in the water and Kaycie stood beside him. “Do you believe God is the one and only God?” He responded with a vibrant “YES!” Then she asked “Do you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?” Again, their was an emphatic “YES!!” Kaycie promptly and lovingly dunked Mitchell and said “You are now baptized!” Then, it was Kaycie’s turn. Mitchell asked the same questions and received the same enthusiastic responses. Then, it was Mitchell’s turn to promptly and lovingly dunk his sister. They were overjoyed and so full of themselves that Brian and I cold hardly contain our joy as well!
Kaycie has mentioned several times over the last year if she could be baptized. We have always encouraged her that when the time is right, God will reveal that to her. She knew and trusted that God would let her know in His time.
We went to church yesterday and soaked in all Pastor Todd was teaching. This new “series” is called “Raise Him Up”…raising God up in our families and also raising our children up to put God first, above all else. Needless to say the teaching has been phenomenal! At the end of the “teaching”, Todd was sharing something with all of us that God had put on his heart. Late Saturday night he was nudged to get ready as something special needed to happen at church the following morning. In the dark of night, the pastor made some calls and “rallied the troops” for what needed to be done. Not once was he met with resistance. Our church has a baptismal pool and, usually, a great deal of planning goes into “Baptism Sundays”. So, what was about to happen was highly unusual. When the Todd finished telling us what was about to happen, we were all stunned. He offered baptism to anyone wishing to receive it…outside - right then…in the clothes they were wearing. The horse troth was ready…and there was an abundant supply of towels. Those wishing to be baptized were asked to come forward. As soon as he asked those to come forward, I felt an elbow at my side. I looked to Kaycie and with tears in her eyes, she said, “Now is the time, Mom. I am ready.” I asked; “Are you sure, Honey?” Before I could get the question out, she was already out of her seat. The tears had already started to flood her beautiful cheeks. I walked to the front with her and couldn’t stop crying myself.
When it was her turn, she shared with the Pastor Todd the game that she and Mitchell had played the day before. Though it was a funny story, Kaycie could hardly explain what they were playing because she was crying. She felt God was preparing her for this day. She knew she was right where God wanted her to be. Todd told her how proud he was of her before putting her under and raising her up. Oh, how we praise God!!!! We were all so proud of Kaycie!!!
We all stood and watched the remainder of the people be baptized. It was so tender and moving. As we were standing there, I felt a tug on my shirt. I looked and saw Mitchell standing there. He said this; “Mom, I would get baptized today…but, I really don’t want to get my new plaid shorts wet!” I couldn’t contain myself…if you could have seen the look on his face…it was priceless!!!!! I simply told him the same thing we have told all of the kids…”You will know when the time is right.” It was a perfect ending to a perfect day!!!! All glory be to God…thank you, Todd for hearing what God was speaking to you!
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:57 pm
It’s 2:00 in the afternoon on Wednesday and I still get teary about Sunday’s service. God knew that I needed him just like apparently many did. Thank you Pastor for listening to His will and being the clay for the potter. Sometimes I get so tired–it’s good to remember that trying to be something other than what God wants us to be–or do–tires out the soul as much as the flesh. Sunday reminded me that God is always reaching out, and we just have to reach back.
July 7th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Sure can’t read this without getting tears in your eyes. How Precious and what a blessing.Thanks for all you do, also.