New Beginnings on 80th Anniversary at Bonners Ferry Church

Bonners Ferry (Idaho) Church members had been planning, working and praying for this day: Two new members were baptized into their church Dec. 3, 2011, on the church's 80th anniversary.

Jim Klaus and Casty Cain took their stand for the Lord Jesus after having studied with Jeff Pownall, first elder, and Larry Kirkpatrick, pastor, for some time.

Klaus' baptism took place in the church baptistery during church. He gave a beautiful and moving testimony to His Lord while standing in the baptistery.

After a fellowship meal, many members came down to the river to witness Casty’s baptism. On a cold wintry day, they rejoiced even as they cringed while watching the pastor, wearing a wetsuit under his baptismal robe, and Casty, without one, enter the waters of the Kootenai River.

Joyful and exuberant Casty declared, "It’s not cold." And said she’d been waiting for the moment "forever!"

As Casty emerged from the water, she was enveloped in a warm embrace and a warm wool blanket, and she joined in the singing of Psalm 27:1, 3 and 5 led by Jeff Pownall. This, Casty's favorite scripture song, ended with the words "He shall set me up upon a rock." Surely the angels of heaven were also rejoicing and singing for joy.

Featured in: February 2012

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