3 Jul 2025, 10:04Careen LawrenceLondon, Greater London, England, United Kingdom
Heaven Rejoices as Multiple SEC Churches Celebrate Baptisms on the Same Day
In Luke 15:10, we are told that “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents”. Can you therefore imagine how much rejoicing there was in heaven on Sabbath, 28th June 2025, with at least four churches in the Conference holding baptisms?
Of the four churches, two were visited by Pastor Kwadwo Kwarteng-Ampofo, our Personal Ministries Director. Both Wood Green Community SDA and West Croydon SDA had two candidates each, with husband and wife being baptised on the same day.
The baptism at Wood Green Community SDA came at the end of a two-week series with guest speaker Dr Jerome C. Crichton from California, USA. During his sermon, Dr Crichton reminded us that we are not “once saved, always saved.” Additionally, he noted that the people who are often the hardest on ‘the sinners’ are sometimes the ones committing the worst sins. With these points in mind, we must ensure that we are supporting our newly baptised brothers and sisters in love. Before we think to condemn them when they stumble, let us remember to remove the plank from our own eyes first.
At West Croydon SDA, Pastor Jesse Samuel shared Jacob’s story from Genesis 32:24–28 with the candidates, highlighting that their walk must now change—just as Jacob’s did when he wrestled with God and had his hip dislocated. He called the candidates to understand that life can be a struggle, but in every struggle, we must remember that God has a plan. When our walk changes—when we begin to lean in a different way—it’s God giving us the opportunity not to lean on our own understanding, but to lean on Him instead.
It is always a blessing to witness individuals boldly stepping forward to answer God’s call to baptism. For some, it is easy to step up and go forward, while others may find it challenging because they do not feel perfect. No matter how difficult or how easy someone may find it, we must, as the body of Christ, welcome them with open arms—rejoicing with the angels in heaven.
As a church, we must remember to keep our newly baptised members in prayer. While we rejoice with the angels, the adversary is unhappy and will stop at nothing to try to shake their faith. Let us keep them in our prayers—whether you’re in Exeter or Norwich—let us come together to cover our brothers and sisters in prayer.
In Luke 15:10, we are told that “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents”. Can you therefore imagine how much rejoicing there was in heaven on Sabbath, 28th June 2025, with at least four churches in the Conference holding baptisms?
Of the four churches, two were visited by Pastor Kwadwo Kwarteng-Ampofo, our Personal Ministries Director. Both Wood Green Community SDA and West Croydon SDA had two candidates each, with husband and wife being baptised on the same day.
The baptism at Wood Green Community SDA came at the end of a two-week series with guest speaker Dr Jerome C. Crichton from California, USA. During his sermon, Dr Crichton reminded us that we are not “once saved, always saved.” Additionally, he noted that the people who are often the hardest on ‘the sinners’ are sometimes the ones committing the worst sins. With these points in mind, we must ensure that we are supporting our newly baptised brothers and sisters in love. Before we think to condemn them when they stumble, let us remember to remove the plank from our own eyes first.
At West Croydon SDA, Pastor Jesse Samuel shared Jacob’s story from Genesis 32:24–28 with the candidates, highlighting that their walk must now change—just as Jacob’s did when he wrestled with God and had his hip dislocated. He called the candidates to understand that life can be a struggle, but in every struggle, we must remember that God has a plan. When our walk changes—when we begin to lean in a different way—it’s God giving us the opportunity not to lean on our own understanding, but to lean on Him instead.
It is always a blessing to witness individuals boldly stepping forward to answer God’s call to baptism. For some, it is easy to step up and go forward, while others may find it challenging because they do not feel perfect. No matter how difficult or how easy someone may find it, we must, as the body of Christ, welcome them with open arms—rejoicing with the angels in heaven.
As a church, we must remember to keep our newly baptised members in prayer. While we rejoice with the angels, the adversary is unhappy and will stop at nothing to try to shake their faith. Let us keep them in our prayers—whether you’re in Exeter or Norwich—let us come together to cover our brothers and sisters in prayer.
