The coronavirus pandemic did not stop parishioners of Willmar’s Assembly of God Church from publicly professing their faith this Sunday. Over thirty parishioners headed to Saulsbury Beach on Green Lake in Spicer to be baptized by the lake’s water while a crowd cheered them on. The baptism is typically held inside church doors, but due to COVID-19 the parish decided to hold their celebration at the lake.
Each person was recorded on video giving a testimony declaring Jesus as their savior before being dipped in the water. These videos will be shown at an additional celebration this October when the church will start potentially holding indoor gatherings.
1/7: The coronavirus pandemic did not stop parishioners of Willmar’s Assembly of God Church from publicly professing their faith this Sunday. Over thirty parishioners headed to Saulsbury Beach on Green Lake in Spicer to be baptized by the lake’s water while a crowd cheered them on. The baptism is typically held inside church doors, but due to COVID-19 the parish decided to hold their celebration at the lake. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
2/7: Becky Macik is baptized in the waters of Green Lake Sunday afternoon near Saulsbury beach in Spicer during Willmar’s Assembly of God’s annual Water Baptism Celebration. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
3/7: Rev. Bruce Schoeman, left, dips Myron Macik into Green Lake to be baptized with his wife Becky Macik after he provided a public testimony for his faith Sunday afternoon near Saulsbury beach in Spicer during Willmar’s Assembly of God’s annual Water Baptism Celebration. People on boats watched from afar while a crowd on the shore cheered them on. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
4/7: Rev. Keith Kerstetter baptizes a parishioner in the waters of Green Lake while others waiting to be baptized cheer him on Sunday afternoon near Saulsbury beach in Spicer during Willmar’s Assembly of God’s annual Water Baptism Celebration. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
5/7: Myron Macik embraces Rev. Bruce Schoeman before he was baptized in the waters of Green Lake Sunday afternoon near Saulsbury beach in Spicer during Willmar’s Assembly of God’s annual Water Baptism Celebration. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
6/7: Rev. Bruce Schoeman, left, prepares to baptize Kathy Holtan in the waters of Green Lake with her husband Ron Holtan by her side Sunday afternoon near Saulsbury beach in Spicer during Willmar’s Assembly of God’s annual Water Baptism Celebration. Over thirty parishioners were baptized while a crowd cheered them on. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
7/7: Newly baptized parishioners walk out of the water onto Saulsbury Beach in Spicer on Sunday afternoon during Willmar’s Assembly of God’s annual Water Baptism Celebration. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
