by Mike Durbin
PLYMOUTH, MI – September 12 is Baptism Sunday. It’s a time when Great Commission Baptist churches collectively celebrate the professions of faith of those who are being baptized. Resources for planning this special moment are available at namb.net/baptismsunday.
Baptism is a special moment for the person publicly professing his or her belief in Jesus as Savior and Lord! It’s encouraging when the church responds with heartfelt “amens” or thunderous applause. It is also a reminder that Jesus called us to be “fishers of men!”
“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men”
Jesus, Mathew 4:19
Follow Me…(Invitation)
The invitation of Jesus first heard on the shores of the Lake of Galilee continues to echo across the shores of the Great Lakes state of Michigan. Michiganders, known for using our hands as a map to show where we live, for our diversity, work ethic, and innovative spirit have heard His call and are following Him. Jesus unites us in churches from the northern shore of Lake Superior, to the western shore of Lake Michigan, and the eastern shores of Lakes Huron and Erie. His never ending invitation - Follow Me - is faithfully shared from the pulpits of Michigan Baptist churches to the individual platforms of believers who follow Him. We live in cities, towns and rural areas, and yet, we are one spiritual family following Jesus together.
And I will make you…(Transformation)
Jesus makes us into something we can never be without Him. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” John 1:12. Receiving Christ transforms us and draws us together as God’s children in churches across Michigan. It is unity in Him that brings together the wonderful mosaic of people known as Michigan Baptists. On any given Sunday, a diversity of people gather in a variety of settings around Him, demonstrating that the Gospel transcends cultural, racial, and economic lines. Together, we are the children of God. We are a living portrait of the transformational power of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus!
Fishers of men…(Mission)
Making disciples of Jesus is forever the mission of Michigan Baptists. We are driven to advance God’s Kingdom through sharing the Gospel, Church Planting, Church Strengthening, Church Revitalization, and cooperative missions in our state and beyond. His mission is ours until “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever” Revelation 11:15.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mike Durbin is the State Evangelism Director for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before joining the state convention staff, Mike served as Church Planting Catalyst and Director of Missions in Metro Detroit since 2007. He also has served as a pastor and bi-vocational pastor in Michigan, as well as International Missionary to Brazil.