Tonight is the last official service with Bro. Christian and Mrs. Sarah Saldana. They move to San Diego this week to start their two-year church planting internship, and then plan on starting a Baptist church sometime in 2027.
What a plan! God’s plan, I mean. I am talking about the plan that transcends time. The timeless plan for mankind—that God’s churches will carry God’s message and bring people into God’s family!
I cannot wait to see God’s kingdom expand here on earth as Bro. Christian launches out by faith to start a new church one day. We just finished a series in Ephesians, and we studied the glorious theology of Christ’s church. It is incredible to think that a kid who got saved here, got called to preach here, and served as youth pastor here is now in the process of starting another ministry that will do the same thing for others in the future. God’s plan is incredible!
Having completed the Ephesians series, I want to talk about a particular aspect of Bible doctrine that is especially relevant to Bro. Christian’s future: the doctrine of baptism. I never want to assume that just because you’re here, you know what baptism is. We are Baptists, so I hope that every Baptist can explain the doctrine of baptism. We are ordaining Bro. Christian in the Baptist ministry in January, he’ll be starting a Baptist church, and being a Baptist is a doctrinal stance—hinging on baptism! So, I want to take a few weeks and talk about who is to be baptized, how we baptize, and why we baptize.
We just baptized a family of four last week, and we are baptizing four girls very soon. I love that God allows His church to carry on His Great Commission—seeing people saved, baptized, and discipled is an incredible work, and it is a privilege to be a part of.
Be sure to be here tonight, and come prepared to share some testimonies of how God has used the Saldanas to be a blessing to you.
—Pastor Ryan
NOTE: Just to clarify, although this is Bro. Christian’s last day on church staff, the Saldanas will still be here for the Christmas play, and we will still have Bro. Christian’s ordination here on January 5.