Written by Dayna Baker.

Dayna began attending Mars Hill a year ago and was baptized on Easter Sunday.

“On Easter I was twenty minutes late and already feeling the conviction of tardiness. I had no idea what was in store. Of course being so late put me in the very last row, of the congregation of hundreds that had sacrificed their Easter morning of sleep to start their day with the glorious mercy of Christ on this day of passover.

As I sat down Pastor Mark began his sermon on the resurrection of Christ and the beauty of this day that we rejoice in every year. Once Pastor Mark was finished, he invited our campus pastor Bubba up. And now it was the moment everyone had been waiting for . . . and the only one I had completely forgotten about. The baptisms. I watched as the two women walked on stage calm and collected. I personally would have been a wreck. But now I was getting hit with more conviction. All month I had been wrestling with getting baptized. But I didn’t want to have to speak in front of everyone. That’s just down right scary!

But, I knew I should be standing up there with them; giving my life to God proudly, without feeling intimidated or anxious, but excited and blessed. I began to tear up every time one of the ladies would get submerged and then emerge from the water a new life, in Christ. Feeling happy for them in the decision that they had made, but also jealous that I hadn’t been so bold. When they had finished Pastor Bubba returned to the stage with a little surprise for all of those feeling the conviction of baptism. “Spontaneous” baptisms! This was wonderful! I felt forgiven for not trusting God and coming to Him more willingly. And here He was giving me another chance to be made new in Him. I instantly felt called. My eyes welled with tears, my heart joyed to an amount I didn’t know possible. I was going to get baptized.

But what about my clothes? And my hair? And my make-up!? I was all ready to go have Easter with my family right after church. Talk about being put to the test. If I would have known, I would have prepared. As these thoughts ran through my head, Pastor Bubba announced that I should not “be so uptight.” They have taken these kinds of things into consideration. Well, some of them at least.

They had shirts for us to change into back stage, so that we wouldn’t get entirely soaked. And there are towels to help dry that which does get drenched. So, that is a little better. I know, I must go. Whether I want to get wet or not, this was the will of my Lord and I was ready to make our relationship a committed one.

As the band started playing everyone rose out of their seats to either head for communion or run to the stage to get dunked in a large pool of water. I quickly started walking towards the pool. As I veered around to get to the stage I saw Pastor Mark standing on the side with pride. Watching the kingdom of God grow in his church. I had always wanted to thank him for helping me to get to know God, Jesus, and the Spirit.” And what better time than now? I went to Mark and shook his hand with tears in my eyes and probably shaking from the excitement and emotional peak I had just encountered. I told him that I was going to be baptized and thanked him for helping me to understand or Lord and savior better than I ever had. Then something I never expected. He asked if there was anything he could pray for my about. All I wanted was to be made and born new in Christ that day. And he prayed for me! Right there!

I thanked him again and made my way to the stage. When I got up there, there was an information paper that we had to fill out so that the church could get ahold of us later and see how our new lives were going. I quickly wrote all of my info and waited for Pastor Bubba to come and take me to the stage. Looking up at it, and then walking next to it, the pool was so big! And everyone that got in and out were so wet! And I couldn’t wait to get in it myself!

I didn’t care anymore about my hair or my make-up. It didn’t matter. What mattered was the second chance that I was about to be given, by a man that committed no sin other than telling truth. And then died for me. He is what matters. I got to the back where everyone was trying to figure out where to go to change and where the line was to get baptized and where the shirts were that we could change into. It was crazy, but it was also beautiful. I wanted to hug everyone, but I also didn’t want to seem crazy. I was just excited! And so happy for everyone else that had found God! He is the most wonderful discovery a person can make and we did.

I finally found somewhere to change. It was a storage room with a hole bunch of electronics and cleaning equipment. But, hey, it was perfect. It wasn’t what mattered. And now, I could see the pool. There was no line for me to wait in. It was time. The pastor asked me if I had repented of all my sins, “yes.” The pastor asked me if I was ready to be made new in Jesus Christ, “yes.” He said a prayer and the two pastors immersed me in the pool of water and lifted me out. I could start new. Now if I could just get out of the pool without slipping and making a comical entrance into my new life. I got out quite gracefully, the the Lord!

The rest of the day was like nothing I had every experienced. I was the happiest I had ever been. But I looked the saddest. I cried every time I talked to someone new. Telling them about my baptism and how happy and excited I was. My heart soared, my soul lifted and I never want it to end.”