West Texas Miracles

Baptisms Take Place Amidst the Pandemic
August 21, 2020

EL PASO, TEX. – On Oct. 23, 2019, I received a call from Amazing Facts asking if I would contact Luz Maria Holguin, pictured in the red shirt below, who had asked for Bible studies. 

I gave the name to Cesar and Patty Marquez, a couple in the church who enjoy giving studies, and they connected with Holguin. They visited her for a few months into 2020, but by the spring, social distancing recommendations were in place due to COVID-19 and the visits were reduced. 

During the pandemic’s peak, the Marquez family stayed in touch, calling Holguin to see if she had any questions about the studies she had been receiving. As they spoke, the Marquez family invited her to consider baptism. Holguin accepted the invitation with excitement. 

Another miracle story is that of Patricia Muñoz, pictured below in black. Muñoz came to the church on her own. She was looking to know more about God. Having found in our church what she was looking for and not wanting to delay any longer, she asked to seal her commitment to the great God whom she loves through baptism.

We made plans for the baptisms and they took place at the El Paso East Spanish Seventh-day Adventist church on Friday, July 3. Five people were present, including those who recorded the ceremony in order to show it the next day during the Sabbath worship hour.

We could have postponed the baptisms, but being convicted that when someone wants to be baptized, we must not delay, we pressed forward. 

The enemy of the souls does not stop his work amid pandemics or viruses. As a well-known Hispanic chorus says, “The church continues to advance and will only stop to preach.” We now say that, with or without COVID-19, the church continues to preach and will only stop to baptize. 

Matthew 28:19 encourages us to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” 

By Pedro Ledezma

Pastor