The Washington Conference office auditorium was at standing-room capacity at the conclusion of an evangelistic reaping series where a portable baptistery was set up. The early March ceremony represented the first baptism held in the new administrative office, and capstoned a trimester of focused evangelism: personal Bible studies, small-group ministry, and radio evangelism (with at least one baptism attributed to Hispanic radio ministry in the greater Seattle area).
With a conference-wide ministry challenge for churches to have at least one baptism a month, the conference's portable baptistery is in high demand. The same night of the Federal Way Hispanic Church baptisms, another Spanish church plant in Burien also held a baptismal ceremony.
"It's a good problem to have," says Bruce Koch, ministerial director, "when we need to purchase a second portable baptistery."
Whatever language is spoken at a baptismal ceremony, the commitment, tears and smiles are universally understood. Twenty people were baptized, and three joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church by profession of faith. Six more people—from children to adults—decided at the program’s conclusion to study for baptism.
"We see baptisms so often," says Samuel Pagán, Federal Way Hispanic pastor, "that we forget this public event is also a very personal experience. As a pastor, my goal is to make a personal connection with these individuals as they make their spiritual commitment to God."
Samuel Pagán, Federal Way Hispanic pastor, welcomes a standing–room–only crowd to the final night of a one-week reaping series. (Heidi Martella)
Twenty baptismal candidates listen and respond as Samuel Pagán, Federal Way Hispanic pastor, reads the baptismal commitment vows. (Heidi Martella)
Adreana Olea from Federal Way, Wash., was the first person baptized in the new conference auditorium. (Heidi Martella)
