IMB Baptism Policy

It's been a while since I've posted, however, I felt it necessary to write this article. If you do a Google search for "IMB Baptism Policy" or "Hammer Open Letter" you will quickly see the controversy within the International Mission Board on its baptism policy.

For many of us this is simply an academic and/or theological debate, and for a long time, that's what it was for me as well. Until today. Today, the policy effected my family and me personally. This morning I received a phone call from the IMB telling me that I would need to be re-baptized by a baptist church and that my original baptism would not be recognized by the trustees.

Let me recount my baptism for you and then you can judge the "biblicalness" of it.

I was baptized as an infant, but after accepting Christ as my Savior in college I saw the need to be baptized by immersion not for salvation, but to publically identify myself with Jesus Christ. So a few years ago, I was baptized, by immersion, by my wife's father, an American Baptist pastor. All sounds biblical and good, right? Wrong. Here is where the issue comes up.

At the time of my baptism, my wife's father was the interim pastor for a covenant church in their (very) small town of Lyons, NE. The covenant denomination as a whole practices baptism by sprinkling or immersion, but in no way would my wife's father baptize by sprinkling, which is why he held the baptismal service at his house. So, I was baptized in a hottub, by immersion, by an american baptist pastor, who happened to be preaching God's Word in a covenant church. Complicated? Yes. Unbiblical? Definitely not.

Yet, according to the IMB my baptism is invalid because the authority that it was done under was the 'covenant' church. Here I thought we baptized under the authority of Jesus Christ? And so, even though my beliefs about baptism were 100% biblical and the beliefs of the person baptizing me were 100% biblical, my baptism is not recognized by the IMB because of "the building the pastor happened to be serving in at the time.

I believe in and support the IMB and its missionaries 100%; however, it puts a whole new perspective on things when these extra-biblical policies hit home like they have with me today.

We're Expecting!

A few weeks ago we found out that Rebecca was pregnant and so we are expecting our 4th baby to be born sometime in late April!

Rebecca's been having it pretty rough the last week or so; to the point that some days she has been bed-ridden and unable to walk. So, please be praying for her.

God bless,

Chris and Rebecca

What We’ve Been Up To

Chris' classes started last week (Aug 19^th) and though he's taking a *very* full load, he's really enjoying his classes. This semester he's taking Greek, Preaching, Old Testament, Hermeneutics, and Religions of Africa. *phew* it's even a lot to type! It's only been one week, but he's already memorized the Greek alphabet and can write the entire alphabet in both upper and lower case. It will be a very busy semester with work and school, but Chris loves the challenge and thrives on high-intensity (Crazy, I know!). It is a blessing that he only has classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays!

[EDIT: Chris now has classes on Tuesday - Friday --- he moved one to a Wed/Fri]

The Women's Bible Study is going extremely well! I have been so blessed by leading it and each of us have grown closer to each other and to the Lord as we have learned what it truly means to seek Him as we've uncovered amazing truths in the book of Proverbs. We have also had a couple of powerful prayer sessions and have been witness to God's mighty workings through our lives. Thank You for praying for this small group of women and for our continued unity!

Like Chris, Hailey is very excited about starting school! Even though she's only 4 ½, we decided to go ahead and start homeschooling her in Kindergarten. She can't wait for the first day of school (September 2^nd) and I'm just as thrilled to be able to teach her at home! What a huge blessing! Her curriculum arrived a few weeks ago and I've been busy preparing lesson plans and mapping out her schedule. Noah will also be able to take part in school and he's just as excited as Hailey for the first day!

There will be many activities and projects that Noah will be able to participate in right alongside Hailey. In addition to the normal everyday schooling, we have enrolled in a homeschool group which meets every Thursday. From 11-3:30, the kids will get to different classes with other homeschooled children their age. Classes include Reading, Civics, Music, and History. We are truly blessed to have this opportunity!

As the summer afternoons have started to cool down, Hailey and Noah have spent less time swimming and more time riding their bikes. Hailey is riding her bike without training wheels now and Noah is asking for his to come off too! It's hard to believe that we've made it to this stage of childhood already!

Hannah is nearly 10 months already and is so busy learning new things. It seems that every day brings a new lesson learned! She's cruising everywhere and it was just two days ago that she took her first unassisted step! More are sure to follow quickly and it won't be long before we will say goodbye to that little baby crawling stage as our sweet littlest one cruises into the toddler moments. Hannah is eating mostly table food now as she prefers it to baby food any day. J She has six teeth; four of which came in at the same time!

Chris had an amazing time in Africa. He has many incredible stories to tell and lots of pictures! The Lord used him mightily and brought 7 people to the Christ through Chris! Overall, God's grace was received by over 25 people as they accepted Christ into their hearts! Praise God! Thank You for your prayers for Chris and the mission team as they were in Zambia!

Keep in touch, we would love to hear from you!
Abundantly Blessed,
Rebecca

 

Central Baptist’s New Pastor!

Central Baptist, where we have been attending church since late March, ordained their new pastor this evening. Pastor Omar Segovia has taken over the leadership since Pastor Jon Moody and his family were sent out as missionaries to Ivory Coast in Africa the first part of June. The Segovia family lives across the circle from us and we have gotten to spend quite a bit of time together. Our kids are even the same ages! They are a neat family and definitely being used in mighty ways for God's kingdom not only at Central, but also in our own family. Chris and Omar have spent countless hours praying and planning for Central's future (and some time playing XBOX too!). Their children, Elijah-3, Keziah-4, and Titus-4 mos, play well with Hailey and Noah and have easily become their best playmates. Jana and I have also gotten to know each other pretty well and I have really enjoyed getting to see her heart as she seeks to be a godly wife, mom, and role model for women around her. We are blessed to have friends like the Segovias and Central Baptist is also greatly blessed to have such passionate leadership. Please keep this special family in your prayers as they seek to lead Central Baptist towards all that God has for her future.

Tour De Nebraska 2008

Chris returned alive and well from his 3^rd consecutive 5-day bike tour of the sand hills of Nebraska. He had a great time peddling, sweating, tent camping, and surviving hailstorms with his dad, Nick (brother), and Dan (family friend). He rode 250 miles this year. He had a great time and said it was the best tour so far! He hasn't biked at home again yet, but he is planning to bike to Omaha from Kansas City one of these days before summer is over! We'll keep you posted so you can come cheer him on! J

Swimming in "Arizona"

We were reminded today just how amazing kids are at adapting! Hailey and Noah were "swimming in Arizona."

The gutter runoff was their diving board and the puddle of water... their swimming pool. 

 

    

Family Newsletter - 1st Edition!

In an effort to keep in touch with friends and family, we've created a newsletter that we hope to mail out every couple of months or so.  Our first edition was a lot of fun to put together, complete with pictures and little notes on what each of us have been up to, plus ways that you can be praying for us!

If you would like to be put on our mailing list to get future newsletters and updates, send me an email at ani_ldodi@prayer-warrior.net . Or you can download it directly from here! Keep in touch!

Love,
Rebecca 

Attachments: March 2008 Newsletter