I can't believe I get to do this!
Sunday, October 24th, was baptism Sunday at Next Level Church! Twice a year, we spend the last 25 minutes at the end of each of our weekend services baptizing anyone who has put their faith in Christ. It is seriously one of the most moving and exhilarating moments of my year.
We set up a 12 foot, 1400 gallon swimming pool outside of our auditorium and then run a live camera feed inside to the projectors in the auditorium. We have 2 of our pastors in the pool baptizing people and a live host who is moderating outside and interviewing different people as they come through!
Our worship pastor and I are on stage engaging the screens and leading the environment inside while everyone in the auditorium is watching the baptisms happening live on the screens. The time is a mixture of singing, praying, celebrating and hearing the stories of life-change.
We provide everything people need to be baptized including: shorts, t-shirts, underwear, towels, makeup remover, even sports bras and hairdryers.
People can sign up prior to the day or we give people the ability to get up at the end of the message and be baptized “spontaneously!” Today we had 19 sign up before and 51 respond in the moment!!! It is always incredible to see people climb out of their seats and go change and get in line! Just Awesome!!!
In the Previous two times we’ve done this, we baptized 43 & 46 but today was over the top with 70!!! To watch fathers and mothers baptizing their kids and each other is just unreal!!!
This is why we set up & tear down church for 1000 people every week! So people can have a chance to be changed by the love of Jesus Christ! This is why we pray and sacrifice and give and do everything we do all year long.
So I just want to say thank you to you, Next Level Church, today is for you. Lives were changed for eternity because of you! This victory of 70 baptisms is all for you! You guys are changing eternities! Way to go NLC, I’m so proud to be a part of a movement like this!
I love being your pastor,
Matt Keller
To watch the baptisms, click here. To see some pictures from the baptisms, go to www.FaceBook.com/NLCFortMyers
This was the most powerful service I have ever experienced! Jaime.