‘10 Days of Compassion’ Results in 27 Baptisms

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

The Coastal Shores church in Virginia Beach, Va., and the Cedars of Lebanon church in Chesapeake, Va., recently hosted a “10 Days of Compassion” series, resulting in 27 baptisms. Keenan Tyler, pastor of both churches, was seeking an innovative way to reach the communities where he pastored. Daniel Hall, a colleague and pastor from the South Atlantic Conference, shared the “10 Days of Compassion” model with him.

Tyler was excited to begin and reached out to a team of Bible workers about their availability. Due to the cold weather during the first quarter of the year, Tyler thought it might not be “prime time” to hold a series. “The Holy Spirit told me to push ahead [anyway], and that’s what we did,” he says.

The churches advertised the series on social media and invited community members to register. Some registrants attended a service prior to the series, in which organizers distributed giveaways such as gift cards, diapers and groceries. There, Bible workers received attendees’ contact information to follow up with Bible studies.

When the “10 Days of Compassion” series arrived, a pregnant woman attended the event held at the Cedars of Lebanon church. Embracing her, members threw a baby shower for her. As a result, she and four family members and friends decided to be baptized. In total, 16 people were baptized into the Cedars of Lebanon church and 11 new believers into the Coastal Shores church.

“Our members were blown away. Being able to interact with people from all walks of life inspired them to do the work,” Tyler shares.