There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repents (Luke 15:7, 10), can you imagine the great rejoicing in heaven when 16 precious souls were baptised on Sabbath, 28 September 2024? Eight of the candidates were from Barnet and eight from Tottenham Lighthouse. It was another history-making and emotionally charged day, as tears of joy could be seen from both candidates and their well wishers. The baptismal service was held at the West Green Road Baptist Church. Joining us for the service were Pastor Royston Smith -SEC Personal Ministries Director, Elder Andrew Rock - Reading SDA Church and of course members, their families and friends from Barnet Church.
To accommodate the large number of baptismal candidates, Divine Service started earlier than usual. Both Elders from Barnet and Tottenham Lighthouse were actively engaged in the service. The song service and special musical items were uplifting and drew us closer to the heavenly realms. Elder Andrew Imbrah, Barnet and Elder Andrew Rock read the Baptismal Vows for the candidates. Pastor Dr Jude Jeanville delivered the message.
The first candidate to step into the baptismal pool was Jatin Kumar, Barnet – known to many as Jay. His mother Sis Lynette Kumar was very thankful to God as shared her joy of seeing her son getting baptised after many, many years of prayers. She then read her son’s chosen Bible verses. This was followed by Sis Charmalyn September singing a beautiful and moving song, ‘I have fixed my mind on another time’. This first baptism set the tone for the rest of the baptismal service. Who would not be moved seeing a mother, Vivian Thompson, Barnet and her three daughters – Yanyyv, Ronyyce and Sunnae Thompson being baptised at the same time? Her mother-in-law prayed for years for her to be baptised and today was the day when her prayers were answered. The other candidates from Barnet were Taonga Hangoma and Takowndwa Trueda Chapati, two best friends who decided that they wanted to be baptised together. The final candidate from Barnet was Munira Hassan Ali. From her first day at church she expressed her desire to be baptised, and soon joined Elder Andrew Imbrah’s baptismal class.
Tony Montague-White from the local community, made a decision to go all the way with Jesus as a result of his association with the Tottenham Lighthouse Food Hub and Sharing the Love Outreach Centre (STLOC). He invited his friend, Tony Morgan to STLOC, and now his friend is having Bible studies and wants to be baptised. Claudia Fuller wanted to recommit her life to God, and she and her sister living in Jamaica got baptised on the same Sabbath. Zipporah Just and her close friend Mickayla Pitter wanted to be baptised. They studied with Sis Brenda Rutherford and were baptised together. Jennifer Hutchinson visited the church for the first time early this year and was befriended. She had Bible studies and was keen to give her life to the Lord. Many of her family members, including her son living in Cambridge, came to her baptism. Kena Roro and Beka Roro, who are brothers and skilled musicians were baptised together after studying with Elder Janette Joseph. Salah studied with Elder Andrew Rock, who came especially for his baptism.
It would be remiss of me not to mention Omar Barrett (also called CJ), who like Jennifer Hutchinson visited the church early in the year and both had Bible studies together. CJ could not wait to be baptised, and followed his heart to Leytonstone Church. He was baptised on Sabbath, 17 August by Pastor Maslin Holness. A group from Tottenham Lighthouse went to support him.
Pastor Royston Smith said he found the baptismal service very inspirational, emotional, spiritual, enlightening and uplifting. He remarked about the diversity of people being baptised in terms of age, gender and ethnicity. This he said does not happen on a regular basis. It made him think what the church could become if we were more passionate and intentional about saving souls.
At Barnet and Tottenham Lighthouse we are still on a spiritual high, especially after hearing that there are three other precious souls eagerly awaiting the next baptismal service. We have all been given the Great Commission and have access to the resurrection power of Jesus, so let us be more passionate and intentional about saving souls. Let us be a lighthouse in our community, pointing those in darkness to Jesus, the Light of the World.