Koinonia Christian Campus Fellowship – UC Berkeley Club

Last Sunday, I, along with 38 other brothers and sisters at our church, were baptized altogether in a never-before-seen mega-baptism service at Willard. Behind the scenes, the baptism candidates watched staff members like Suzanne rally us together to instruct us how, not just how to properly get dunked in the water, but also the basics of learning how to count and read! Here’s what I mean:

While the baptism candidates were anxiously making sure that (1) our card was not upside-down (2) we were flipping at the right time (did you see Suzanne in the front, cueing us?) (3) we were looking happy (and not grave) (4) our card read the right word at the right time… and so much more! I only found out later how impacting and moving the entire performance was… Fortunately, while on stage, I was able to be touched and blessed to see some audience members (like Pastor Ed) wiping away tears. Looking now at the pictures, and seeing how Christ transformed the hearts of so many brothers and sisters in such specific ways, brings me so much JOY.

After the testimonies and skit, we had to prepare to get ourselves wet. Really really wet.

The experience was a blur — one second we’re praying, and the next I’m being pulled out of the water: free from the chains of sin and alive in Christ. What a thrill! Although I was nervous of messing up (like saying my name wrong — I mean, there were three Elaines: we can totally confuse ourselves too!), God was faithful and all of 39 us were baptized!

Looking back now, God is definitely so faithful and abundantly loving. Although many of the candidates, myself especially, still struggle so much with indwelling sin in our lives, God blessed us by telling us He wanted us as His people, regardless of how tarnished we were in His sight. As all of us were met outside by a swarming mass of people eager to shower us with love, I was reminded again of how grateful I am to Jesus to redeem me in this way. If I were God, I would never forgive myself for being the way I am, but because I’m not and God is good, I am not only forgiven, I am restored with each new day.

Thanks everyone, who illustrated to me what God’s love is like. This baptism was definitely no celebration of anything I’ve accomplished, but only what God was able to do with a broken soul! PTL!