Baptism is the “frontier” sacrament because it begins life in Christ.When a person is baptised, the Spirit creates a life in Christ that knows no end. This life is then sustained during one’s earthly pilgrimage through the hearing of God’s Word and receiving the Lord’s Supper. Baptism, that simple moment of water, Word & Spirit, is a rite of Christian initiation – by it we enter a new life and are separated from the life we lived before Christ.
For everybody, life is a journey from birth to death – but for Christians, life is a pilgrimage from baptism to death - which itself is the entrance into full communion with Christ. St Paul describes Baptism as a journey through death and burial with Christ to a resurrection into eternal life (Romans 6). In the waters of Baptism, the Christian gets death over with as he/she dies and is buried with Christ and is reborn to a new life in Christ that never ends. Because Jesus has gone through the cross and tomb, we now rest assured that our journey in Baptism with Him will result in the destiny Jesus intends for us all: life in a resurrected body that knows no end.
Along the way to full communion with Christ in heaven, Christians live under the cross where we are continually in Christ, hearing His Holy Word and feeding upon the holy food of His body and blood to sustain us on our journey. Our pilgrimage reaches completion just beyond the portal of physical death, which is a portal through which we pass into full communionwith Christ in His heavenly home. The goal of our journey is to live in Christ’s presence forever and to feast at His table for eternity.
The Christian life/pilgrimage is therefore a journey from Baptism to the Lord’s Supper. As we journey from our second birth (Baptism) toward the heavenly wedding feast (Revelation 19:6-9), of which the Lord’s Supper is a foretaste, we listen to Jesus (preaching) & so receive fuller instructing about the mysteries of Baptism & participation in the eternal heavenly feast.
Mark Hampel is an enthusiastic communicator of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was ordained in 1988 and has served in churches and schools in 3 states. He currently lives in Chinchilla, Qld. His passion is building up the faith of God’s people and working with them so that all will come to know Christ as their joy and salvation.
Mark is happily married to Veronica and they have 4 children and 4 grandsons. He is also a farmer of sorts, having spent the last decade establishing a date plantation in Western Queensland. Other hobbies include Australian history, travel, film & literature and of course, family.
St John’s Downfall Creek, has been a centre of Christian faith and life in the area for over 100 years. They operated a Christian school for twenty-two years (1940 – 62).
This faith community is a warm-hearted bunch, who love to share their hospitality with the district. They enjoy many a pot luck dinner and host ‘Easter Dawn Service & Breakfast’, ‘Christmas Eve’ & ‘Advent Tea’’ and ‘Games Nights’ for the community.
Home Groups are an important part of life in the Downfall. Discussion and exploration of the faith are encouraged.
Religious Education at the nearby Guluguba Primary School is provided by St John’s.
Redeemer Miles, is a dedicated group who know the love of Christ and are keen to share it. They meet regularly in various homes throughout the district for intergenerational worship and home groups.
Religious Education at nearby Drillham State Primary School is provided by Redeemer.
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