Keith Springs Baptist sees 22 ‘baptized like Jesus’
Olivia Smith raises her arms in celebration after being baptized. With her on the left is Ron Taylor, pastor of Keith Springs Baptist Church.
BELVIDERE — It started with one boy’s simple wish: to be baptized like Jesus in natural water. That desire eventually led to a day of faith that brought 22 people to the banks of Boiling Fork Creek.
Last month, Keith Springs Baptist Church held what many are calling a small revival, as nearly two dozen people were baptized in the flowing waters of a creek on the Money family property in Franklin County.
The story began months earlier when pastor Ron Taylor found himself in prayer, asking God how to better lead his congregation.
“I heard God saying in prayer, ‘start raising up the next generation and their kids,’ ” Taylor recalled.
Soon young families with children began attending Keith Springs Baptist. Among them was Zachariah Smith, the first young person to give his heart to Jesus under Taylor’s ministry.
Amy Smith’s two sons who were among the 22 who were baptized at the lake during the Keith Springs Baptist Church service. “I was overjoyed,” Smith said. “I didn’t know I could feel anything like that as a parent.”
When Zachariah spoke with his pastor about baptism, he made a request. “He wanted to be baptized like Jesus in nature,” Amy Smith, Zachariah’s mom, explained.
Over the following months leading up to the church’s Vacation Bible School, more children and adults made decisions to follow Christ. Many, inspired by Zachariah’s example, also expressed desires to be baptized in a creek rather than in the church baptistery.
The church planned a special picnic and baptismal service as part of their VBS family day. Joe and Jean Money opened their property, allowing the congregation to use Boiling Fork creek for the event.
For Amy Smith, watching Zachariah get baptized was overwhelming.
“I was overjoyed,” she said. “I didn’t know I could feel anything like that as a parent.” Her other son was also among the 22 baptized that day.
The Smith family has attended Keith Springs for four years, and Taylor had previously baptized Amy when she gave her life to Christ. Witnessing the mass baptism brought the experience full circle.
“It was an amazing experience watching everyone come forward to get baptized,” Amy reflected. “It was like a revival for your soul.”
Roc Collins, evangelism team leader for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, sees small revivals like this as proof that traditional evangelism remains effective across the state.
“It’s great to hear of God’s Spirit working in churches of all sizes across Tennessee,” he said. “Sharing the Gospel still works.
“Our Lord is not looking for the people or places with the most ability but rather the people and places who are available for Him to work through them.” B&R
Twenty-two people were baptized in the Boiling Fork Creek in June, sparking a small revival for Keith Springs Baptist Church in Belvidere.
