Last week, roughly 4-5 hundred people met at Golden Gardens to celebrate the baptism of 54 Christians. 

The beautiful summer evening started with BBQs and ended with smores (thanks college ministry folks). In between, those who were gathered sang a handful of worship songs led by members of E-Pop, listened to Pastor Bubba explain what it means to be a Christian and why Christians are baptized, and heard the testimony of three dunkees. 

The culmination of the evening was witnessing 54 Christians wade into the frigid waters of Puget Sound to publicly declare their love of and dependence on Jesus. This was truly an awe-inspiring sight–not simply because of the beautiful setting for the event, but because of the powerful symbolism behind baptism: submerging into water and dying to sin and self then emerging out of water and beginning a new life with Jesus.

Check out more pictures from the event at the Ballard City Group. If anyone who was baptized or attended the event would like to share more about your experience, please post your comments here.