Apostle Paul, in refuting the disputes in the Corinthian church, wrote, “I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name.  (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas.  Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else)” (1Cor. 1:14-16). It is apparent that Paul was concerned that the Corinthians were thinking too highly of some prominent figures in Christianity – Paul being one of them.  There was a growing divide over whose baptism was prestigious depending on the one who baptized you.  Paul assured them that, while baptism was important, Christ did not send him to baptize but to preach the gospel (1:17).  In fact, his memory was a little vague concerning those whom he did baptize, and rightly so.  Whom Paul did or did not baptize was not a matter of importance to him.

However, whom I baptized last week is a matter of great importance for me.  Last Sunday, East Point Church held its first baptism.  The candidates were three lovely young ladies:  Maya Hudlin, Kenya Hudlin, and my eldest daughter Rachel Carter.  While Paul is want to remember those whom he baptized, I am quite confident that I will never forget the baptism of these three young ladies.  Not only because they were the first to enter the waters of baptism at East Point Church, but also because of the joy I experienced in confirming my daughter’s faith in Jesus Christ through the waters of baptism.

There are few joys to match this awesome experience!  I don’t believe I ever pray as diligently as when I am praying for the salvation of my children.  I have enlisted the prayers of friends and family all over the world in this pursuit.  And while God owes me nothing in the redemption of my children, when He is pleased to give evidence of conversion in one of them, it is a joy unspeakable.  The particular joy with Rachel is that not only did I baptize her, but I was preaching when she came to see her need for a Savior.  And

after the sermon I was able to speak with her concerning the way of salvation and faith in Christ. I prayed with her as she confessed her sin and acknowledged Jesus as her Lord and Savior.  The baptism was the capstone on this most blessed experience.

I have five children.  Two have confessed faith and received the waters of baptism.  There are yet three for which to seek the Lord’s favor in saving them.  Please pray with me as I continue to beseech the Lord on their behalf.  I pray to one day not only remember that I baptized Rachel, but to say to my three youngest daughters, “I may not remember everyone I baptized, but I do remember I baptized you!”

How could I ever forget!

Proximity is defined as nearness in place, time, order, occurrence, or relation.

One of the values that East Point Church is delighting to pursue is proximity for the sake of the gospel.  Atlanta is a commuter city.  People commute to almost every destination from work, to shopping, to church, to entertainments.  If you have spent any time in the Atlanta area you are aware that we don’t mine driving.  However, as we planted East Point Church one of the passions we wanted to pursue is community.  We believe that when the gospel is proclaimed it necessarily creates community where people are delighted to live out the “one another” passages in the Bible.  We also believe that community is best developed through proximity.  Therefore, while we don’t require members to live in the vicinity, we do encourage it.

If any of our members are contemplating a move, we strongly encourage them to consider East Point, or the South Atlanta area.  For the past year, my family and I have been looking diligently for a house in East Point.  This past week God was pleased to give us the desire of our heart in a home that seems tailor made for the ministry and the Carter family.  After over a year of searching and praying, we are finally moving to East Point and it is a delight to know that we will be in proximity to those who are already there.

The gospel is about proximity because the gospel is about community.  You can’t read Acts and not come away with the design of God in creating communities of faith where life together is lived out in praying, growing, eating, learning, and sharing together (Acts 2:42-47).  And while a church alive is still worth the drive, it sure helps if you don’t have to drive too far.

East Point Church does not desire the title “megachurch.”  What we do desire is the title “community church”; a church where the gospel is forming community.  Proximity is just one of the ways that gospel community is realized.  Are you ready to join us?  If you are, we’ll be in East Point waiting for you!