Kyle Green

essays: praise :

Michael DuVal (left), Lead Pastor for the Journey Church, lifts Ken Doss from the waters of the Roanoke River during a river baptism at Green Hill Park on Sunday evening. Ken was one of seven people who were baptized in the river on Sunday. A “believer’s baptism” they call it, an immersion into faith. The tea-colored water glides over the seven who’ve chosen tonight, carefully picking their way over the slippery Roanoke River stones. Some are alone; some are families, in a public embrace of Christ. “Because before Christ, I was living week to week”. “Because I used to get impatient when someone took 20 items in the checkout line, and now I’m calm”. “Because a follower of Christ doesn’t need to look like he has a ‘stick up his butt’”. “Because now I know there’s a greater plan for my life”. Wading waist deep, clasping the pastors’ arm, each says words and is held, briefly, then dunked backwards. One man thrusts his fist in the air and yells to anyone who can hear: “I’m wet!”
Michael DuVal (left), Lead Pastor for the Journey Church, lifts Ken Doss from the waters of the Roanoke River during a river baptism at Green Hill Park on Sunday evening. Ken was one of seven people who were baptized in the river on Sunday. A “believer’s baptism” they call it, an immersion into faith. The tea-colored water glides over the seven who’ve chosen tonight, carefully picking their way over the slippery Roanoke River stones. Some are alone; some are families, in a public embrace of Christ. “Because before Christ, I was living week to week”. “Because I used to get impatient when someone took 20 items in the checkout line, and now I’m calm”. “Because a follower of Christ doesn’t need to look like he has a ‘stick up his butt’”. “Because now I know there’s a greater plan for my life”. Wading waist deep, clasping the pastors’ arm, each says words and is held, briefly, then dunked backwards. One man thrusts his fist in the air and yells to anyone who can hear: “I’m wet!”