A Baptism at the JJC

Tonight I experienced God's presence in a most unusual setting and in such a profound way. My friends and I have been sharing Christ once a month for the past 10 years with young women locked up at the Juvenile Justice Center.

When we were there in December, Carrie had the four girls we met with write on pieces of paper their prayer requests and then each of us drew a paper out and prayed for that girl for the following 30 days. Carrie prayed for one particular girl, Dominique, for her salvation among other things.

This past Saturday when we arrived, Dominique was still there. After I shared a message on deception and truth, Carrie got into an open conversation with her. Probing and asking questions as only Carrie can do in a very winsome way. Dominique shared her desire for baptism and Carrie promised her that she would do all she could to make sure that happened for her.

Carrie enlisted some praying warriors and then relentlessly pursued every avenue. At one point her calls were not being returned and she went down there in person to talk to whoever she had to talk to so that Dominique's wishes for baptism would be honored.

So tonight, at 6:00 Carrie, Jane, and I showed up at the JJC with an armful of towels and some huge buckets. They would not allow us to immerse Dominique so we improvised. I've never felt God's presence more keenly than while kneeling before Him next to Jane, Carrie and Dominique on a bathroom floor at the JJC praying. As Carrie and Jane flooded her with water from head to toe, I kept the water from flowing into the adjacent room with towels. The most meaningful and intimate baptism I have witnessed in a long time. Wish I could have a picture to post but they are not allowed at the JJC.