Praying for Baptisms in Shawnee

Written by Ivy Greenwood, Frontline Shawnee Kids Director

Shawnee is known for having a large number of churches. One of Shawnee's local newspaper directories lists over 100 churches in Pottawatomie County alone. Every few blocks has a church in our small town. Because of this, the spiritual version of the "bystander effect" often kicks in — people generally don't feel a sense of urgency even though there is much soul work to be done and so many people who don't know Jesus. Evangelism and discipleship can feel slow, complex, and disconnected in Shawnee. Many of us use phrases like "over-churched but under-gospeled" to explain why so few people are rallying to share the gospel with their neighbors.

After seeing a historically low number of baptisms in 2022, with only two the whole year, the Frontline Shawnee elders and staff prayed in faith and scheduled several baptism Sundays for 2023. We led the church to pray for people to trust in Jesus, hoping and expecting that each baptism Sunday would have people ready to enter the waters. If not, then the church would pray for more baptisms over the presently empty waters. We prayed eagerly for the presence of the Holy Spirit, salvations, physical healings, and spiritual gifts. The framework for our prayers was simple: Why wouldn't God move in Frontline Shawnee? Why wouldn't he save people?

And in a staggering show of God's faithfulness, not one of those Sundays passed without baptisms. We saw baptisms of all ages, from our kids and students through late adulthood. Baptism Sundays took on a new level of anticipation and excitement, and each built on the energy of the one before it.

One Sunday in April 2023, there were no scheduled baptisms. The water was ready and the baptismal set out, but we expected the church to spend our intercession time praying for future baptisms. That week, an EF2 tornado hit Shawnee. Most of those attending our Sunday gathering had been without power in their homes for several days. Many were exhausted from clearing debris, serving in relief centers, and helping others with the extensive damage caused by the storm. So our plans changed.

Since there were no scheduled baptisms that day, we prepared to spend the morning together singing, praying, and hearing God's word after a troubling and exhausting week. But that morning, a man decided to be baptized. The power had only been restored that morning, so the baptismal waters were freezing. When he came up out of the water, he was cheered on by members who hadn't had a warm shower in days and had worked countless hours clearing debris earlier that morning. From the call to worship to the benediction that day, Frontline Shawnee was more in tune with one another and the heart of God than ever before.

In 2022, there were two baptisms at Frontline Shawnee; in 2023, there were 22 baptisms. This isn't just a statistic — it's a story. It's a story of God growing his people to share the gospel with their neighbors. Frontline Shawnee is inviting more people to church, praying more often for their lost friends and family members, and looking for more intentional opportunities to share the gospel than ever before. Invite cards for are gone weeks before the event. Our people are excited to invite others.

"Frontline Shawnee is inviting more people to church, praying more often for their lost friends and family members, and looking for more intentional opportunities to share the gospel than ever before."

Across Shawnee, deep discipleship is happening in community groups. Dozens of people have experienced physical healing on Sunday mornings. April 2024 marked Frontline Shawnee's first-ever New Believers Class. Other congregations are also experiencing growth in baptisms, and as a church, we're praying for more. The Lord is faithful. He honors hungry prayers.

Though the numbers are encouraging, our greatest hope is rooted in the truth that the renewing work of the Holy Spirit doesn't relent, even when we do. We can take heart in dry seasons when it seems fewer people are coming to know Jesus because our God's desire for his people to know him will remain the same. Jesus will preserve his church. God will draw his people to himself. He will remain the God of salvation. Jesus will return at the end of all things, and in the meantime, we will continue to work the ground laid before us with eagerness and anticipation.

This year, Frontline Church is celebrating our 20th Anniversary! On Easter Sunday 2005, Frontline was planted in Josh & Nancy Kouri's living room. 20 years later, we are one church with five congregations across Central Oklahoma committed to loving God, loving people, and pushing back darkness. To read more stories like this one or learn how you can celebrate with us, visit frontlinechurch.com/20year.