Across South Carolina, new believers are being raised from baptistries, pools, ponds, lakes, rivers, the ocean, even horse troughs, to walk in a new way of life. As 2006 draws to a close, the goal of each South Carolina Baptist church baptizing at least one person in 2006 through the Goal of One emphasis is becoming reality.
In celebration, churches are encouraged to close the year with a baptism celebration on Dec. 31. Marshall Fagg, director of the South Carolina Baptist evangelism and missions team, notes, “What better way to demonstrate old things passing away and all things being made new, than by someone being baptized on New Year’s Eve.”
The Goal of One, with its objective of every church baptizing at least one new believer in 2006 and all SCBC churches together experiencing a record year of baptisms, has renewed excitement for obeying the Lord’s commandment.
Fagg says, “From the church baptizing one all year to the church baptizing more than 400 in one day, Baptist believers have celebrated the significance of changed lives.”
The Goal of One was birthed in the heart of Carlisle Driggers, executive director-treasurer of the state convention. Driggers reflects on his days on staff with the Home Mission Board some 20 years ago, “I began to long to see a state convention have a year when all their churches baptized new believers. That would be kingdom growth for sure.”
Despite his plans to retire early next year, Driggers has not lost sight of the goal. “I am so very excited and eager for ‘A Goal of One’ to be fully realized by Dec. 31 of this year. What a kingdom victory that will be for the glory of God.”
For the first 11 months of 2006, reports have flooded into the convention building as pastors celebrated baptisms. Dennis Willoughby of Blackstock First Baptist Church reported three baptisms on April 14, eight more on Aug. 21, and seven more on Oct. 23.
Willoughby writes, “This brings our total this year to 29. The idea for the Goal of One blossomed at Blackstock FBC and became ‘Let’s get one more for Jesus.’ Wow, what a joy!”
Every church is encouraged to join in the baptism celebration on Dec. 31. Fagg notes that even if there are no candidates for baptism, “Every church can plan, pray, witness and celebrate.”
For more information on hosting a New Year’s baptism service, log on to
www.baptismcelebration.org.