Rhine baptism

In August 2010 Christ Church in Düsseldorf did not hold its main service in its building but by the riverside not far from the church building. One of the newer church attendees a Chinese businessman living in Germany, who has taken the Christian forename of David by his own choice, was baptised by immersion in the Rhein.

On the day a local German fisherman kindly moved so we could use a particular site to gather in safety by the riverside for a service with the baptism. David had chosen Amazing Grace for a hymn and our Bible reading before the short talk was from Acts 16. As well as the immersion itself, a moving part of the service was David’s own simple testimony in English [he also has good German] and before the baptism when members of the congregation individually signed him with the sign of the cross on the forehead. At the end of the service he was presented with many cards of greetings, and following a reformation German custom, individual verses of scripture.

David had invited several Chinese friends to join him and his home group for lunch following the service. Please pray for his spiritual growth and that God would grant him greater facility with his English speaking. Pray too for his witness to Chinese friends, two of whom have already expressed genuine interest to know more.

In Jesus’ name
Stephen