A Cambridge God Adventure* 32) A mini-Pentecost

(*please skip if you have not been following this story).  Much was happening alongside burgeoning music life.  We rejoiced as many newcomers came into membership and the congregation visibly grew. I guess as I reflect over these months I see the next major highlight was Pentecost Sunday.

Ever since seven friends made faith commitments in January we had prepared them carefully for the next steps of baptism and church membership.  Those two elements belonged together - baptism into the body of Christ! Baptism is not only personal witness but corporate belonging. Preparing for both required considerable work because we knew the majority of students would leave Cambridge at the end of their courses and we yearned for them to find churches in which they could continue service.  Each prepared with a partner/mentor who worked through many weeks of study materials (using a booklet prepared by the Scottish Baptist Union).  Partners were encouraged to walk with their baptismal candidate before, during and (especially) after the service of baptism.  Everyone needed to realize what a big deal this was.   And how their witness would have such powerful evangelistic appeal as they invited family and friends.
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June 7th. 1981, Pentecost Sunday, therefore became the focus of intense prayer.  I can see that in our prayer agenda.  On this birthday of Christ's Church, eight people were baptized and we experienced yet another spiritual breakthrough event when God's trans-rational presence was powerfully felt.  Again, people came forward to the pool in response to the invitation.  The gallery was filled with students - most of whom had never seen a baptism. You can imagine why this was a highlight.  Compared with the previous year who could have imagined such a happening? We really were experiencing a mini-Pentecost of new life and purpose.