On March 25, Grace Family Church held the first baptism in their branch in San Jose. About 5 years, a group of dedicated brothers and sisters did outreach in this city and had services in San Jose at the First Baptist Church, Campbell.
There were moments when some of the ministry’s participants asked themselves a question of whether they should continue their ministry if there are no signs of repentance or baptism of those who attended their services. God honors consistency and faithfulness in little, and answers our prayers in His timing. All of these efforts were worth it even if only one person received salvation and reconciliation with God. This was a celebration for the whole church when three sisters in white clothing were in the center of the church building. There was singing of Christian songs and preaching of pastors Vasiliy Khripunov, Joseph Sheremet, and President of the PCSBA, Ivan Mileyev. The presence of a multitude of guests from Sacramento, the decorated building, the celebratory atmosphere, the question of Pastor Vasiliy Khripunov addressed to the sisters before their immersion into the water: “Do you believe that Jesus Christ is your personal Savior?” and the responses which the church heard three times – “I BELIEVE! I BELIEVE! I BELIEVE!” were celebrated both in heaven and in the hearts of the participants of this event.
Today we are ready to go to a different continents and spend a lot of money in order to share the gospel with those who have never heard it before, yet there are many of the same kinds of people who live not far from us! We do not need to buy a plane ticket or take a few weeks off to reach them! We just need to have the desire to fulfill the Great Commission “beginning in Jerusalem…”
The service was followed by a great lunch, a well-prepared pilaf and a lot of advice and counsel given…There were also those who attended the baptism service for the first time: they were the relatives of the baptized sisters who listened everything in fascination.
I believe that there will be a lot more baptisms in this city. May God bless the further ministry in San Jose and add those who are saved to the church!
Ivan Mileyev
CELEBRATION IN SAN JOSE
Please click first slide below to see photos in bigger format
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