Top Ten in Youth Baptism's 2010 (for churches our size)

This past week I received a publication, the Arkansas Baptist News Magazine or ABN, that listed baptism's for churches categorized by size.  For the third straight year Beech Street was in the Top Ten for Youth Baptisms for churches 251-500 in size.  This year we were third with 15 youth baptisms.  Praise God for the students lives that were changed this year by Jesus.  Beech Street this is a testimony to your desire and heart to reach teenagers with the message of Christ.  It is exciting to see God at work in our midst.

The point to me is not so much that we made the list, but that we are very intentional about seeing students saved, follow through in baptism and then begin to grow in their walk with God.  We are doing what Jesus commanded us to do in Matthew 28:18-20:

¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

As many of you, Beech Street members and visitors, have noticed over the last several weeks God has continued to allow us to impact more students for Christ.  It's always exciting to watch as a student runs out the door on Wednesday night to tell his parents about accepting Christ and his/her desire to follow in believers baptisms.  That is one of the most amazing sights I witness almost on a weekly basis.  It never grows old. 

What I've learned is, when we are faithful to share the message of salvation the Holy Spirit moves on lives and they respond.  I pray God continues to allow us to impact teenagers for Christ.

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