Purchase an inexpensive, used hot tub from Craig’s list, find a way to transport it into a building, put a tarp inside it, patiently fill it up with lukewarm water from a hose, drape black bedsheets around it and it becomes something beautiful — a portable baptistry.
One Sunday night, an old Jacuzzi became a place where seven friends publicly identified themselves with the Risen Lord as they were “buried with Christ in baptism and raised to walk in newness of life.” Through being immersed in water, they communicated something unseen had taken place in their hearts, and they claimed their new identity as born-again children of God.
After each person climbed into the hot tub, a video was shown of him or her. They shared first-person stories about how God had captured their hearts and redeemed their souls from emptiness. In their own words, they unashamedly declared, “This is my reality — Jesus has transformed the essence of who I am.”
After hearing each testimony, a friend joyfully told the whole church about how he or she how they had concretely seen a friend’s life become different because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Prayer followed for the friend getting baptized.
After being immersed in water, the first thing the new believer heard was a roar of applause and shouts of celebration from their brothers and sisters. It was a party!
After the baptism service, a dear friend I had become acquainted with over the fall semester confessed to me that her heart longed to declare to the world the same unmovable hope that those getting baptized had just boldly confessed. Through tears she admitted she wanted to hand everything in her life over to Jesus and surrender her whole heart to the beautiful King she knew died for her sins.
God’s glory had unfolded in her heart, and she could not deny that she needed him to rescue her and reassure her salvation was hers. Sitting on the cold floor by the exit door, near the bathroom, she uttered an unforgettable prayer in which she committed her entire life to following Jesus as Lord.
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She continues to be reminded that Jesus is better than anything, and she desires to hear God’s voice and walk intimately with her heavenly Father. When I see her worshipping at church now, I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving because through her smile and hands lifted high I see outrageous freedom and joy in her heart. We both are excited to study Paul’s letter the Romans together this semester. Seeing a friend become preoccupied with Christ in totality is a treasure for which I give all glory to God.
Jane Owen is a student missionary correspondent serving with Go Now Missions in the Pacific Northwest.
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