Loose Leaf Notes

-The following first appeared in The Floyd Press on August 27, 2020.

“God will change our hearts. God will change our minds. We can love one another. It does not matter what your skin pigment. We’re talking about the love. Love one another whether they are right or whether they are wrong,” said Reverend Dr. Clinton Crump, at the start of Sunday’s Little River Missionary Baptist Church outdoor baptism.

It was the church’s second outdoor baptism, offered as a way to follow coronavirus safety protocols. Held in the Little River at the junction of Poor Farm Road and 221, it followed a drive-in worship service at the church, a couple of miles away. About 30 cars parked in the church lot for the service, which included music by church choir members and was live-streamed to the church’s Facebook page.

Jackson Mills was the first of twelve church members to be baptized in the river because he was the smallest. Several other children, young adults and three adults followed him. Church members along the river bank sang “Take Me to the Water” as fellow members were baptized. They applauded as each newly baptized person emerged from the water.

Reverend Crump concluded the rite by telling everyone to be safe, to wear masks and distance. He followed that with a prayer, and proclaimed, “Give God the praise!” as attendees cheered.

“It was very cold but was a nice feeling,” said one young women who was baptized. Tracy Lovo, one of the adults, was baptized, along with her fiancé, Daniel Quesenberry. Lovo said she was first baptized when she was fifteen, but was baptized again on Sunday to honor her recent calling to preach.

When asked what her faith has meant to her during these trying times, Lovo said, “It’s all we have to hold onto. I pray every day. If it wasn’t for faith and believing in God, I don’t know what we’d do. God is the answer.”

Marilyn Turner, church clerk and mother of Aaliyah Ward and Andrew Turner, who were both baptized on Sunday, said the church’s congregation includes nearly 200 members. “23 years ago, it was 10,” remarked Reverend Crump. He explained that the baptisms, which are usually done inside the church, represent “the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord.”

“Something is happening. God is reconciling something. I don’t understand. I want to be obedient,” Reverend Crump pondered out loud about these times.  He spoke of his work as pastor and how he would want to be remembered, “I told my deacon when I leave here and he makes some remarks about me, to say ‘He tried to make a difference. Nothing else. Nothing else.’” __________Colleen Redman