The act of baptism is a sacred moment in every new believer’s life. It’s a time of rejoicing for family members as they witness their loved ones display publicly their new life through Christ. And for four members of Mobile Association’s Higher Ground Baptist Church, the experience was truly a family affair.
Joyce Wildebrandt had the unique experience of not only witnessing, but participating in the act of baptism with her father, Russell Peffer, her son, Ott Wildebrandt and his daughter, Jessica.
With Higher Ground Church being only four years old, it does not have a built-in baptistry. And because of mobility challenges that Joyce and her father have, baptism in a portable baptistry was out of the question.
So a unique but practical solution was found.
The four-generation family, who are all members of the young church located in St. Elmo in Mobile County, were recently baptized together in a church member’s swimming pool.
Following the ceremony was an informal evening service that concluded with a celebration dinner for the several dozen people who attended. The baptism was performed by the church’s pastor, Brice Evans.
For Ott Wildebrandt, finding words to describe his emotions of the event was difficult. “It was a real emotional experience for me,” the 36-year-old father of two said.
Twelve-year-old Jessica, who became a Christian three years ago but had not been baptized, was the catalyst in getting her father to start attending church.
“I had been coming with my mama and sister and then I accepted Christ,” she said.
Ott said that Jessica’s decision influenced him and he decided to start attending with his family. As a result, last year he accepted Christ as Lord of his life.
Shortly after her son joined the church, Joyce felt led to do so as well. With Joyce’s family now attending services on a regular basis, her father, Peffer, began attending services with his wife, Laura, who was already a member of the church.
Peffer, at the age of 84, gave his life to the Lord.
So with all four family members making decisions to join the church within a relatively short period of time, they decided they would like to all be baptized together.
On a warm Alabama evening, with the summer sun setting in the distance, the four new Christians solemnly waited their turn in a corner of the pool as Bro. Evans individually immersed them in the act of baptism.
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