GOING PUBLIC

Baptism is going public about your faith in Jesus and communicating to the world your heart-felt commitment to following Him. It's the next step after salvation.

Baptism by immersion symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and is your public declaration that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Baptism does not save you, but shows the world that you have already been saved. And while baptism is not required for salvation, it is a biblical command and demonstrates your love and obedience to Christ. - Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:41; Ephesians 2: 8-9; Matthew 28:19-20

Questions? Email us at info@centralholland.org

Our next baptism is outdoors!
Sunday, August 27 at noon in Central's pond.
Get more info about baptism or sign up to be baptized below.

Get more info about baptism or sign up to be baptized below!

I HAVE QUESTIONS SIGN UP TO BE BAPTIZED

Summer Baptism FAQ

Where on the beach will the baptism be held?

It will be held in the north side of the beach. Follow the Central “Summer Baptism” signs, look for the blue Central “Hope + Life” flags and two tents for registration. You can’t miss us!

Will parking be an issue on a Sunday afternoon?

The number of parking spaces is limited inside Holland State Park. Be sure to come early and enjoy the day at the beach!

Will there be a shuttle service?

Yes! We will be having the church vans shuttling people to and from the park if needed. The shuttle stop will be at the Dog & Skate Park located at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds. The shuttle will run from 3:30 – 5:45 PM and 8:00 – 9:00 PM. Look for the blue “Hope + Life” flags to catch a ride!

I don’t have a Recreation Pass. Can I get in the park?

You will need to purchase a pass at the gate if you wish to park inside Holland State Park. If you do not have a recreation pass, you will need to park outside Holland State Park and use our shuttle service!

How long will the event last?

Our Baptism celebration will last about 60-75 minutes.

Will we still have Baptism if the weather is bad?

If there is severe weather in the area, we will reschedule our Summer Baptism to August 29nd. We will notify our church family via our website and social media platforms in the event we do need to reschedule

Do you need more people to help serve at the baptism event?

Yes! There are many ways for you to get involved! Don’t miss a chance to serve at this unique event; you can sign up above!

Why are we baptizing people at the beach and not at Central this year?

The location change was made so that we could publicly Amplify Hope + Life in a community location. We will be connecting better with the global church in the way many baptize. This will be both a celebration but a declaration of our faith for many of our neighbors of Holland to see!

I have a difficult time navigating the sand to get to the water. Is there a way to help with this?

Yes! We want everyone, regardless of their mobility, to be able to enjoy this baptism. We have a team of people ready to assist you! Additionally, we will do all we can to move to the area of the boardwalk that was put in to improve access for those with mobility challenges. Holland State Park has a wheelchair that can go on sand that will be available if needed.

Will seating be provided?

Please bring your own beach chairs or blankets, there will not be seating provided at Holland State Park

Can someone register at the Baptism Event?

Yes! Stop by our registration tent and our team will be ready to assist you.

We always enjoyed the picnic in years past. Will we be having one this year?

Rather than a picnic, we will have ice cream available to enjoy! Bottled water will also be provided.

COMMON QUESTIONS

WHAT IS BAPTISM?
WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
BEST TIME TO BE BAPTIZED?
DO YOU BAPTIZE CHILDREN?
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
BAPTIZE AGAIN?

LEARN MORE

YOUR TESTIMONY

Please email your testimony to Jen Vera at jvera@centralholland.org

Preparing your baptism testimony

Your testimony is a vital part of the baptismal experience. Clearly sharing the difference Christ has made in an individual’s life is a key factor in people coming to know Christ. Your story is something that can be shared over and over again when opportunities arise. You will share your testimony on baptism morning.

USE THESE QUESTIONS AS A GUIDE:

When did you decide to surrender your life to Jesus and follow Him?
Why did you make that decision?
Who was the most influential person that helped you in that decision?
What was life like before Christ?
How has your life changed?
Why do you want to be baptized?
What verse in Scripture means a lot to you?