“There’s so much power in the simple story of someone saying they’ll follow Jesus and them getting baptised.”
Kate had grown up in a Christian family and had been a Christian growing up but had since drifted away. A few years ago, God spoke to her and prompted her to come back to church. Two years ago, Kate started returned to church regularly.
Steve, Kate’s husband, was happy for Kate to go to church, but wasn’t interested in going with her. Kate’s two adult children also weren’t interested in her ventures into Christianity.
Shortly after Kate returned to church, Steve became very sick and was hospitalised. Doctors weren’t sure what was going on, and we’re sure if he would survive. Steve’s physical and mental health broke down. Kate’s new church prayed significantly for Steve and his family.
When Steve was discharged, he became fixated on the Bible and wanted to be baptised. Amanda, a Pastor at Kate’s church, met with Steve and prayed with him. “I just encouraged him to read his Bible,” Amanda recounts.
Steve’s health declined and he was soon readmitted to hospital. When he was discharged a second time and Kate brought him to church. Steve would have loud conversations during the service, often breaking into tears. Each time this happened, Amanda would introduce Steve, talk to him and ask if everyone could join her in prayer for him for a moment. Steve would settle down, and the service could move on.
Gradually, Steve would call out less. His mental and physical health also began to improve. Amanda met with Kate and Steve again and invited them to their churches next Alpha.
“Steven came to Alpha every week and loved it,” Amanda reflects, “he loved being in the informal space. During Alpha, Steve gave his life to the Lord, knowing exactly what he was doing. One week, Steve said ‘It’s time for me to be baptised,’ knowing exactly what it meant.
Steve was still very stiff from being unwell, and his church didn’t have a built-in baptismal. Kate and Steve had a pool in their backyard, so after the service one week in late-November, they invited everyone from church back to their place for Steve’s baptism.
“If I’m going to follow Jesus, I need everyone to know that’s what I’ve decided,” proclaimed Steve.
Steve told his church that he’d seen how Kate had been loved by the church and that he’d “never seen people love others that much before”. The church’s love for him and Kate, and seeing what God had down in his own life, had made him want to follow Jesus.
Steve’s church has made Alpha a regular part of their church’s rhythms and have already locked in the next date for mid-2026. They run Alpha from 4pm, flowing into dinner afterwards. “I think the meal is important,” reflects Kate, “it’s enough time to have a conversation with people and hang around.”
For information on Alpha and ideas on how to include it in your regular church rhythms, head to Alpha Australia. And for resources and ideas for your own Baptism Sunday, head to Crossover’s Baptism Hub.
