What better way to spend New Year’s Eve than to celebrate the symbolic death and rebirth through baptism with friends and family? These people have decided that standing upon two worlds is no longer working for them. Having a foot in each has proven to be less than beneficial. They’ve made the bold decision to tell the world who they really are and where they are choosing to stand…with both feet.
God, we ask that you’d bless them for their act of faith…may the ground in your Kingdom be rock-solid.
Many spoke on behalf of those who were being baptized. This is James, our cousin Laura’s husband telling the crowd how much he loves his wife and what it means to be a spiritual leader.
My friend, “Biker Bob”, said he felt like a “Bob-opotamus” in the baptistry.
Recently homeless. Now sheltered by grace, hope, and love.
“Undergoing baptism implies that we are changing cultures. It reminds us of the seriousness of our decision to wear the name of Christ, to be his disciples. It celebrates the union of the divine and human, not only in our Lord and savior, but in ever-increasing ways in our lives as we serve the God who met us at the rivers edge.” – Jack Reese
We held an outdoor baptism service this past summer and I blogged about it here. Check it out and try to not feel the Holy Spirit on you…go ahead…try.
Below is a video I put together from last summer’s baptism…I’ll make one for the New Year’s Service soon:
Baptisms @ Vineyard Westside [Outdoor Edition] from Ryan Detzel on Vimeo.
That was one awesome service. It made me so happy and so excited to see all of them taking a stand for Christ in baptism. Oh and your pictures, very nice.
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These pictures are amazing. What a great way to ring in the new year! The third picture of Biker Bob is priceless – Jesus is so wonderful! That is something to celebrate!
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Thanks for posting those, Ryan. It was truly an amazing experience and what a blessing to share it as a family. I got goose bumps looking at the pictures. God is so good. Happy New Year!
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Those are just AMAZING!! I am so in awe of what a wonderful night that must have been! And those pictures!! What a treasure for those that were baptized! (And please, teach me everything you know about photography! lol)
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Matt 3:13-17 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John would have hindered him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? But Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffereth him. And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him; and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Acts 2:38 And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
1Peter 3:21 which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ;
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Praise the Lord!
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What a beautiful, BEAUTIFUL sight. The before and after pictures really show the excitement in their hearts.
Glory be to God!
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Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures! A practical question though–could you tell me where you bought the baptismal? Or is it a home-built? Looking for something like it for our church…Thanks!
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I’ve been an Anglican for the past ten years (they baptize babies and confirm adults) and I love the liturgy of their baptism service, but there’s something deeply moving about immersion baptism of adults that I can’t escape. Thank you for both baptism posts – what an awesome thing to get to be a part of!
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Oh, this is so, so beautiful!!
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Awesome.
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absolutely wonderful!!! i feel like i am so blessed to be a part of their renewal!
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Awesome…. :0)
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Nice pictures Ryan! I suppose the new Nikon helps with those baptism action shots…wtih my XT, I always need to switch to JPEG on those action shots. My favorite shots are the ones where they are just out of the water, water streaming, with that look of victory. Keep up the good work.
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Ryan, your blog never ceases to amaze me. I’m blown away right now. I can’t help but feel the Holy Spirit move on me.
Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!
Thank you for allowing God to use you.
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Wow! I could totally FEEL their joy! I have to tell you that I was amazed to find myself crying while looking through these pictures… I remember the day I was baptized and I think I had that same smile on my face
) I think the ones that really got me were 1) the picture before James talking and Biker Bob’s after picture… sheer joy! Thank you for these!
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I have to admit, I’m envious … everyone looks so happy. I wish my baptism — and my whole experience trying to follow God, for that matter — had been like that. Instead, I got baptized only because I felt like God expected me to. In fact, much of what I’ve done as a Christian has come from a sense of obligation, and nothing else. I wish I had some of what those folks in the baptismal have.
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No matter how many of these that I attend,
No matter how many times I look at pictures,
No matter how many times I watch that video,
It tears me up.
Thanks for being a part of this journey I’m on.
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That’s some powerful photography my friend. You are a true talent.
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I love how such a diverse group of people have the same expressions of joy and peace. What an amazing God we have.
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The video on the outdoor baptism is so powerful. I have never heard that song before…perfect for that video. Could you tell me who performs it? By the way, your photos are amazing as well.
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What a joyous new year and new life! Excellent photography too. You truly captured the moment. May they look back on these photos when times are tough and remember that they know what the Holy Spirit can do and how it feels upon them.
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I love Baptism. It is the ultimate ceremony showing our love to God. I also like what our minister has to say about it. Enjoy!
http://maxlucado.com/pdf/baptism.upwords.pdf
Welcome to a New Life with God all you newly baptized guys and gals!
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wow. ryan. as i sit here i am wiping tears from my eyes.
and ryan? btw? i was raised buddhist. yes. that’s right. a blonde-haired buddhist. maybe that’s why i’m able to sit here and cry, in awe, at how beautiful this is.
the fact that so many people could come together on FAITH alone, and create this? this beautiful, sacred act of vowing to live a better life, help others, and worship a God they deem worthy of their praise?
this, ryan, is why i am crying. i am saying THANK YOU to the world. to you. to all of your fellow churchies. or. uhm. ya know what i mean.
this world is tumbling downward, and for once, we can reclaim a part of it. be it thru Christ, thru God, thru Ghandi, thru earth religions, thru WHATEVER. if you are living a good, solid honest life and helping those around you and LOVING everyone, whether you know them or not?
i tip my hat to you. thank you ryan for everything that you do. you and your lovely wife and gorgeous daughter are amazing. amazing, amazing, earth-changing people.
i’m so glad to have you here.
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what a GREAT group of pics, thanks for sharing
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This post moved me beyond words. Thank you.
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how beautiful, so very beautiful
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I LOVE seeing those baptism photos! And to have a baptism service on New Year’s Eve is perfect!! My 9 year old son was baptised on November 30th this year. I bawled like a baby! Seeing all of those people profess their love for Jesus made my heart skip a beat! so awesome!!
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The joy on everyone’s faces afterward…PRICELESS!
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Ryan, thanks for taking pictures of such a special moment in my life. I have learn so much from you and Tim’s teachings. I have grown so much, this was a way of telling everyone how much God has changed my life and I wanted everyone to know it. Thanks for caring.
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The video made me cry…happy tears!
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WOW!! WOW!!! Baptism is such an amazing thing to experience. It’s much the way I feel about Holy Communion. So sacred to be a part of.
These pictures are amazing. You can just FEEL the excitement in them!
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