Water Baptism - September 2008

Baptism is a crucial point in a believer's Christian journey. In the Scriptures, the apostles took new believers right away to be baptized. It’s a time to identify that believer with Christ in his life, death, and resurrection. It’s a proclamation to every witness that Jesus is their Lord and Savior. Thankfully in America, with it’s Christian heritage, baptism is something that is generally accepted. However, in many cultures people are rejected and even persecuted by family and friends for their new found faith.

We are so pleased that Niki, a young lady here at Destiny, accepted Jesus into her heart and desired to be baptized. On the second Sunday in September, the congregation celebrated with her and her family as she was baptized in the Youth Center Auditorium and we broadcasted the signal to the Family Life Center for the entire church to participate.

We want to encourage any other adults or children who also want to obey Christ in baptism to let us know right away. Here is an excerpt from AllAboutGod.com that will help you better understand water baptism and prepare your heart.

Water Baptism - Many People Ask If It's Required for Salvation
Baptism isn't an act that gets us into heaven - it is faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord that offers that assurance. Baptism (by full immersion as taught in the Bible) is an act of obedience that should be an immediate part of our acceptance of the gift of grace offered by Jesus Christ. But it does not mean that one who truly gives their heart to Jesus on a death bed, in the heat of warfare, or in a crashing airplane, will be kept out of heaven because they failed to be baptized. The thief on the cross next to Jesus didn't have time to be baptized before he died, but he had an opportunity to believe in Jesus and put his trust in Him, and Jesus responded by saying, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43).

True faith in Jesus Christ and His work on the cross for our sins is sufficient for salvation. Christ has already done everything. By definition, His grace doesn't require any additional "works" by us. That being said, Jesus Christ commands us to be baptized (Matthew 28:18-20), and therefore, all believers should be baptized. Immediately following Christ's command, the Book of Acts describes the practice of administering baptism to almost every group or individual who believed in the preaching of the Gospel by the apostles (Acts 2:37-41; 8:5-13; 8:35-39; 9:10-18; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:30-33; 18:8; and 19:1-6).

Water Baptism - What does it symbolize?
According to the Bible, the symbolism of baptism declares that three things happen to believers who are baptized: (1) they die with Christ to their old self; (2) they rise with Christ to become a new creature; and (3) they are incorporated in their new life with a living community which looks for the coming of the Lord (Romans 6:1-11). Contrary to what some denominations teach, it seems obvious that a Christian's baptism must necessarily require a responsible decision to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and therefore, must be delayed until an age of reason or discretion (knowing right from wrong within God's perspective).

In short, Jesus Christ commands baptism for His followers. Although the act of baptism does not cause eternal salvation, it seems that any believer who refuses baptism should truly examine his or her conversion.

"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age'" (Matthew 28:18-20). - AllAboutGod.com

Water baptism is generally held on the second Sunday of every month. Contact the church office at 210-349-2295 to talk to a pastor about water baptism.

written by Ted Thevaos (Children's Ministry Pastor)

Destiny Kids Volunteers - Thank You Luncheon

At the beginning of October we gathered the Destiny Kids volunteers to say thank you for their incredible work of serving over the past year. It's only with the help of nearly 80 volunteers that we care for and teach the children of Destiny Church. With this diligent and faithful team we are able to share the responsibility and not overwhelm anyone. Our goal is for every volunteer to be able to participate in the adult services while serving at least once a month. Some serve more and we are grateful for that.

Our luncheon turned out very well. We enjoyed a fried chicken meal that was good for the appetite and then took a glimpse of some great moments of volunteers interacting with kids by way of video. Check out the video at the end of this article!

I felt impressed of the Spirit to read the passage of scripture from Acts 20:17-37, where Paul said farewell to the Ephesian elders on his way back to Jerusalem. I wanted to remind everyone of what the Apostle Paul was convinced of and lived for in obedience to Christ who said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." This type of lifestyle and ministry brought such a depth of relationship to Paul and those he led. In fact, in just three short years their relationship that was defined by giving and serving brought weeping as they prayed a final farewell prayer with Paul.

My encouragement to the "givers" that were before me was to keep giving. As God's children we are a part of an amazing family. If we love God and His people we will receive so much love in return. "Love never fails."

Our time continued as Doug Pitman shared some words of appreciation and several volunteers also shared some encouraging testimonies. Jeff Stevens reassured everyone present that as we build the kingdom of God here at Destiny, God will build our families as well. It was a meaningful time for me and I hope every volunteer felt appreciated and encouraged. The best is yet to come!

I've included the passage of scripture we read together. I pray it encourages you as you serve Christ and His Church.

Acts 20:17-37 New International Version (NIV)

17From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18When they arrived, he said to them: "You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. 20You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

22"And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

25"Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.[a] Be shepherds of the church of God,[b] which he bought with his own blood. 29I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

32"Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. 34You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "

36When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him.

It is more blessed to give than to receive

written by Ted Thevaos (Children's Pastor)

Family Fall Festival 2008

The Family Fall Festival, which happened on October 31st, was a great success. Families from Destiny as well as the surrounding community came to celebrate the light of Jesus Christ on a day that is usually considered dark. The Bible talks about overcoming good with evil and we believe we did just that by giving our children and young people a place to come and have fun. It was neat to see new families coming from the neighborhood with their Halloween costumes on. We welcomed them just the same. Our hope is that seeing Christians having fun and enjoying relationships will draw them back again and again.

From Callaghan Road passersby could see the Tiki Torches lit and the inflatable bouncers welcoming them in. The walls of the Family Life Center were lined with games from the fishing hole, where kids pulled out cool prizes, to the football toss, where many tried to imitate the Dallas Cowboys, Tony Romo. Several brave souls gave Pastor Dave some challenging games of Ping-Pong, but he prevailed for the glory of God. The puppet shows, "Bobby the Bully Meets Jesus" and "My Sack Lunch" were a hit for the preschoolers. They gave a strong message of the gospel in a kid friendly way. Pastor Terry also put on quite a Christian magic show. He was turning oranges into apples, putting large coins in a wine bottle, and his Bible even caught on fire while he was reading about the day of Pentecost. I think the adults liked it more than the kids. And of course David Colunga and the drama team gathered a crowd as the music and smoke went up. Several people commented how the dramas really impacted them. Another hot spot for the evening was the coin operated motorcycles, train, and truck that Pastor Rick brought in. The preschoolers couldn't get enough. They thought they were at ChuckECheese's.

David Sharkey, Gary Brown, and their team did a fabulous job with the food. We had hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, sodas, popcorn, cotton candy, and snow cones. It was a festival style feast. We appreciate Mike Fernandez who donated the produce.

One story that caught my attention was how a guest donated a few extra dollars when buying his tickets for the food and then went over to play Bingo. We happened to be giving away 5 tickets to the lucky winner and none other than that generous guest was one of our Bingo winners. Who would of thought God could bless someone through Bingo. How cool is that!

I want to thank every volunteer who made this event a success. Thanks to all of you who donated candy. It was really good candy and we had more than enough. Then to all of you who helped setup, run the event, and clean up. We couldn't have done it without you. It's always a real joy seeing God's people partner together and serve for a common purpose. Our purpose was to glorify God during this Thanksgiving season for his blessings and to communicate a sense of celebration to our children and the community. I believe we did that and it's because of the part that each of you played as the body of Christ. PHOTOS

written by Ted Thevaos (Children's Pastor)

Arise2Pray

God has put it on the hearts of the Men's Ministry leadership of Destiny Church to provide a city-wide prayer and praise opportunity called Arise2Pray for all of the men of San Antonio and surrounding area.

With this vision in mind we gathered together Saturday, November 1st for an awesome time of praise, worship, and directed prayer for our nation. Arise2Pray was held on the Saturday before the election.

With everything that has been happening in our nation, and with the elections at hand, we banded together as brothers in the Lord to believe for God's provision, healing, and intervention in every area - our government, military, economy, national leadership, our city, the church, our families, and world missions.

We welcomed all men, regardless of church affiliation. So pastors and men from different areas of the city and from different denominations came together under the banner of Christ. It was a memorable and moving time in the Holy Spirit.

For more information and updates on the next prayer gathering go to Arise2Pray.com.
PICTURES!

written by Dave Bell (Lead Pastor)