On May 30, the Cedar Creek Church in Woodland, Wash., celebrated the baptisms of Rick Pollard and Josh Lilly. Both men shared with church members how the Holy Spirit led them to make this decision.
Pollard was originally baptized in 1979, but, as he describes it, he “ran away from God.” He found himself struggling with alcohol and drugs. “I prayed that God would take me away from it,” says Pollard. Soon after, a logging accident left him paralyzed. While Pollard was confined at home he began watching 3ABN and Hope Channel programming via satellite. “It just made sense to me,” says Pollard. “I knew I needed to start going to church.” Pollard found his way to the Cedar Creek Church and decided to be re-baptized.
Lilly, a U.S. Marine, felt the Holy Spirit prompting him as he prepared for an overseas tour of duty. “I just felt like I was heading toward the wrong path,” says Lilly. “I needed God in my life.” Lilly contacted Marty Jackson, Cedar Creek Church pastor, and requested Bible studies.
“Anytime someone makes a decision like this we know God has been at work in their life,” says Jackson.
After Lilly’s baptism, John Littlefield, retired Cedar Creek Church pastor and former member of the U.S. Navy, presented him with a serviceman’s kit prepared by the General Conference.
Marty Jackson (right), Cedar Creek Church pastor, shares the stories of Rick Pollard (left) and Josh Lilly (center) at their baptism on May 30. (CJ Anderson)
Josh Lilly shares some of his testimony with Marty Jackson, pastor, and the Cedar Creek Curch congregation. A U.S. Marine, Lilly decided to be baptized on May 30, 2009, before his deployment overseas in the summer. (CJ Anderson)
Cedar Creek Church deacons assist Marty Jackson, pastor, as he baptizes Rick Pollard. (CJ Anderson)
Cedar creek Seventh-day Adventist Church elders have a special prayer of dedication for Josh Lilly after his baptism. Lilly, a U.S. Marine, is scheduled to begin an overseas tour of duty in the summer of 2009. (CJ Anderson)
John Littlefield (left), a retired pastor and former member of the U.S. Navy, presents Josh Lilly with a serviceman's kit preparred by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists after his baptism into the Cedar Creek Church. (CJ Anderson)
Rick Pollard says an accident that left him paralyzed and a satellite dish that allowed him to watch Seventh-day Adventist programs rekindled his relationship with God. (CJ Anderson)
