Wednesday, April 9

A Smile I Won’t Forget

Chantelle Foster

You and I are unceasing spiritual beings with an eternal destiny in God’s great universe. I hope you have been reminding yourself of this. It is incredibly powerful to look someone in the eyes, say their name, and then repeat that phrase. I dare you to try it!

The holiest conversations I have are with people asking to be baptized. It is the best part of my work! Just last Sunday, we baptized an adult named Morgan by immersion. He wanted to go all the way under water to symbolize the death to an old life and the birth of a new one. I have the best seat in the house as these events are happening in worship.

When Morgan came up out of the water, he didn’t just jump up immediately to get out. Instead, he paused a moment to experience what had just happened. When he looked up, he had the most beautiful smile on his face. The Holy Spirit was present in that moment.

It blessed me immensely to talk with Morgan and Baylee about becoming members of Acts 2. They told me they had been looking for a church and felt like Acts 2 was that church — their spiritual family. They were wanting to start their married life off by making sure they had a church community to be a part of as they were making vows before God to each other. Their longing moved me. They already know they will need our support as they navigate life together.

On your behalf, I have these conversations and then arrange for these precious souls to stand before you and take vows to be a part of our church family. Once that part happens, I have to let go and trust you will come alongside them and welcome them into our family. I am full of hope that you will help them connect in meaningful ways and discover ways to grow and serve alongside you.

Another super fun part of my work is talking with the confirmation class each year. I talk them through the membership covenant so they know what they are committing to as they stand before you on Confirmation Sunday and take membership vows. This conversation gives me a chance to explain what it looks like to follow Jesus as a member of Acts 2.

There is an innocence with them because they haven’t learned fully yet how to hide parts of themselves that aren’t particularly flattering. They can’t possibly know the gravity of the commitment they are making — none of us really can. But they make the commitment anyway! Twenty-four pre-teen and teenage souls said they want to follow Jesus with their whole life, with you as witnesses to their commitment. That is a huge honor — for you to receive these young people into our church family. I hope you will take a few minutes today to ask God to help you fulfill your commitment to them.

Pastor Mark encouraged us on Sunday by reminding us that whatever we invest in other people and their character remains for eternity. If this doesn’t make you want to invest in young people (and older people!), I don’t know what does. Growing people into radical Christ followers seems like something we know we can’t possibly accomplish in our own power. When we accompany God on God’s mission, we are right where miracles happen.