God has been stirring in the hearts of the members of Grove Hill Church Chapel Hill, Tennessee. Subsequently, the water in the swimming pool at senior pastor Ridley Barron’s house also has been stirring.
Throughout the summer a series of unique baptism services has been held in the Barrons’ pool, where church and family members line the edges of the water to watch.
The gatherings have helped highlight an ongoing movement of God taking place at Grove Hill, according to the pastor. Through early August the five-year-old church has celebrated 94 new members, 54 baptisms and 43 salvation decisions.
‘Excited and overwhelmed’
“We are truly excited and overwhelmed about how God has been working in our church,” Barron said. “It’s been quite a cool journey for us.”
The baptisms normally take place after Sunday morning worship (which includes three services) concludes at Grove Hill.
“It works out great for us because our house is less than a half-mile from the church,” Barron noted. “There is a large field out back, so there is plenty of parking. It is fairly simple for us to ‘relocate’ after our third service, and most of our people come to show their love and support.”
The pool baptisms started several years ago, but the gatherings have become more frequent this summer during a spiritual surge at Grove Hill.
“The church is experiencing genuine revival,” noted Josh Franks, a harvest field team leader for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. “It’s incredible to see such an outpouring of the Spirit in one of our churches. This is what it’s all about!
“What’s going on with Barron and Grove Hill is a tangible reminder that, even in a chaotic world, Jesus is on a mission to seek and save that which is lost,” Franks said.
To read full story, click here.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by David Dawson and originally published by Baptist and Reflector.
