An Easter Baptism at HMP Swansea – Janet Bevan
Celebrating New Life in Christ: An Easter Baptism at HMP Swansea
It’s a special time of year with so much going on at Easter, so imagine how delighted we were to hear there would be a baptism service on Easter Sunday – with eight candidates. The chaplain had prepared each man beforehand to ensure their decision was truly felt and genuine, and they were all determined to proceed.
About 26 men attended the service, with a worship team from a local church and myself in attendance. The singing was great, and a lovely atmosphere existed from the outset. The chaplain set the scene as she outlined the events of the first Easter Sunday, and then I added a few words, particularly considering being present in the tomb as Christ’s “buried body began to breathe,” as in the Phil Wickham song Living Hope. The men listened intently and closed their eyes to picture the scene as they were asked to imagine Christ’s body coming alive, the angels coming to minister to Him, and the effects on the Roman soldiers, on Mary and the other women, and later on, the disciples. It was a special moment, culminating in the verse from Revelation 3:20:
‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.’
This was a reminder that God knocks at the door for all of us, and He longs for us to answer. This was followed by communion for everyone who wished to participate.
The eight candidates were then called up. The chaplain used anointing oil to make the sign of the cross on each one’s forehead and – in the absence of a baptistry for total immersion – they each bent over a large silver bowl, and water was ladled over their heads with a very large shell from the beach. It certainly wasn’t a gentle sprinkle – they were thoroughly soaked! After they dried their heads, they each received their Baptismal Verses (a verse of Scripture specifically prayed for and written in a card for each candidate) and their Certificate of Baptism. The look on their faces was just wonderful – peace, joy, blessing, being wrapped in the love of God. It was absolutely joyful for us all to witness. They also had commemorative candles placed in their personal property to have on release.
What a fantastic way to mark Easter Sunday – when Jesus rose to bring us new life, salvation, and victory over sin. We witnessed that right there for those eight men. Let’s pray their baptismal day will be a beacon of light in what is not always an easy life for them. May it become a foundation stone – a day of declaration and dedication to Christ.
When I was saved on a church trip, we sang all the way home:
‘I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.’
May we all sing on their behalf, in solidarity with our brothers in Christ, in expectation that their lives will be altogether different as they go forward in faith and thanksgiving to God… no turning back, no turning back!
Janet Bevan is Group Leader for Prison Fellowship Swansea
Download the May Prayer Diary, with a prompt each day for how we can pray for our prisons and our ministries.
Did you know you can receive the monthly devotional and Prayer Diary by email? Use this link to sign up.
