by Jim Blake, Executive Director at Alliance Redwoods Conference Grounds in Occidental, California
One way we measure our success at Alliance Redwoods Conference Grounds is by celebrating our guests’ decisions for Christ. I had the joy of seeing more than 40 men be baptized in our pool during a recent church retreat.
The men from 3 Crosses, an Alliance church in Castro Valley, California, gave an offering for our Sonoma Fire Relief fund during their annual retreat at Alliance Redwoods. After I thanked them for the donation, I stayed for the baptism and was blessed beyond words to rejoice with my new brothers in Christ. Again and again, men came up to me and said, “This place is holy ground; it doesn’t get any better than this.”
Young men from rough backgrounds confessed their faith publicly and were raised to new life in Christ in front of the others. A grandfather, son, and grandson came forward together for baptism.
Another man named Bill, made his decision “because his wife told him to.” He explained that before she died several years ago she had prayed that he would be baptized. That weekend, in our pool, her prayer was answered.
Even the senior pastor, Larry Vold, who was baptized when he was 10 years old, was re-baptized because he wanted to declare to his men that he still loved Christ deeply.
The group leader, Mark Campbell, has brought the men of 3 Crosses to Alliance Redwoods for the past eight years. He views our staff as partners in this ministry and believes they were instrumental in what happened that weekend.
“This was the best retreat we’ve ever held at Alliance Redwoods,” Mark said. “Significant spiritual breakthroughs took place this weekend [and] many men came to Christ.”
As we partner with local churches, we remember this Scripture passage, Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer (Romans 12:11–13).