Kew Baptist Church has seen an increased number of baptisms this year, particularly amongst the vibrant young adults age group.
There have been 14 baptisms so far this year and they have all been under 30 years of age, says Senior Pastor Mark Edwards. “Some are from non-church backgrounds, others have found their faith revitalised and taken this step to declare their faith as they say yes to Jesus at every point of their lives (our church mission statement is to encourage people to do that). One of the baptism services was impromptu, where I had the privilege to baptise three people on the spot after feeling God’s prompting to put forward a call. I talked to them privately before they were baptised, and one of them shared that God had been challenging her to get baptised all weekend but she didn’t know how it would happen, until she found herself at church and it became clear.”
The latest baptism service was on August 3 when five young adults were baptised and prayed for. Mark said a lot of churches were seeing renewed interest in Christ, faith and spirituality, especially among young people. “I think there is a real willingness, especially for young adults, to stand up and declare their faith in Christ. Young adults are at a point in their lives where they are working out their priorities and their faith. We encourage them to prioritise Jesus in their decision making, as he has the highest claim of importance in our lives.”
He said a lack of biblical knowledge was not preventing new young people from coming along to church to find out about Christianity. “It’s extraordinary – in my years as a pastor I’ve never seen people just coming in off the streets wanting to find out about Jesus. As we talk with them, we find out how little they know, but God is wonderfully at work in their lives.”
Some ways that Kew Baptist encourages newcomers is to make them feel welcome, find mentors to help them grow in their faith, and invite them to join Connect Groups. “I think as pastors, we do what we can. But there is a sense of gratitude when people come to the church and we are reminded that we are simply God’s vessels and he can do so much more. And when he does what he’s doing, it’s extraordinary.”