Feel the Power of the Lord

wolf · 11-01-2005, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Oct 31, 11:36 PM EST

Texas pastor electrocuted during baptism

By ANGELA K. BROWN
Associated Press Writer

WACO, Texas (AP) -- The University Baptist Church band had just led the congregation in praise songs when the Rev. Kyle Lake stepped into a tank on the stage to baptize a new member, something he did several times a year.

As a packed room of more than 800 people watched, Lake cried out and then fell backward.

Several doctors in the Sunday morning crowd rushed up and pulled the 33-year-old pastor from the water, but Lake had been electrocuted. He was pronounced dead shortly afterward at a hospital.

Some at the service, which was packed for Baylor University homecoming weekend, said Lake had adjusted a microphone outside the tank. Others said it appeared a piece of equipment fell into the water.

"It happened so fast; no one knew what was going on," said Sam Larson, a Minneapolis seminary student who was in Waco visiting fellow Baylor graduates. "It was horrible. Kyle was a guy who loved everybody; he didn't care who you were. And everybody who met him loved him."

Waco police believe it was an accident, said police spokesman Steve Anderson.

Detectives and the city's inspection department on Monday examined the church's electrical system, microphones and band equipment to try to determine exactly what happened, he said.

Randy Childers, who oversees code enforcement for the city, said officials also were reviewing previous inspection reports and permits for the building, which housed a supermarket before the church moved in about 10 years ago.

The funeral service for Lake, who was married and had a 5-year-old daughter and 3-year-old twin sons, was planned for Tuesday at Waco's First Baptist Church.

Lake, a Tyler native, graduated from Baylor in 1994 and the school's Truett Seminary in 1997.

He had been a pastor at University Baptist Church for seven year. The church had grown to about 600 members since it was founded in 1995 as a contemporary church for students at nearby Baylor, the world's largest Baptist university.

"He could speak students' language, and he could capture their attention and hold it," said Jeter Basden, Baylor's director of ministry guidance and one of Lake's professors. "He was funny and deep, and he could communicate with someone who didn't have a church background."

Since news of Lake's death began spreading, several Baptist pastors have talked about making sure their baptism practices are safe, said David Hardage, executive director of the Waco Baptist Association.

But he said the tragedy won't end the tradition of completely submersing someone during a baptism, which symbolizes a Christian's belief that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead. The woman who was to be baptized Sunday wasn't injured, church officials said.

"It's an integral part of the Baptist faith," Hardage said. "For Baptists, we don't believe that baptism is an act of salvation. We believe baptism is an act of obedience and a testimony for what you believe."

11-01-2005, 01:33 AM

Wow! I wonder what the woman who was going to be baptized is thinking right now? Talk about someone dying for your sins - literally!

Trilby · 11-01-2005, 11:01 AM

Why doesn't anybody go down to the river anymore? That's what Jesus would do...

mrnoodle · 11-01-2005, 11:06 AM

extension cord won't reach?

Elspode · 11-01-2005, 12:58 PM

God has a great sense of dark humor. You Christian types will want to watch out for that.

Of course, a lot of Pagan deities can be rather capricious as well...

Troubleshooter · 11-01-2005, 01:00 PM

That's what happens when you start mistaking the Workings of The Lord for a simple +/- reaction.

capnhowdy · 11-01-2005, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianna

Why doesn't anybody go down to the river anymore? That's what Jesus would do...

Pollution?

mrnoodle · 11-02-2005, 09:17 AM

I was baptized by my grandfather in a very idyllic farm pond. It was very Jordanesque.

Kitsune · 11-02-2005, 11:37 AM

///

smoothmoniker · 11-02-2005, 12:55 PM

Kyle was a friend, as is Dave, who leads worship at the church.

just wanted to bring some context.

capnhowdy · 11-02-2005, 01:01 PM

Delmar O'Donnel:

Quote:

"Come on in boys...the water is fine."

It's odd to me how some faiths dunk and some faiths trickle. Reckon it's all the same to God.

Elspode · 11-02-2005, 01:01 PM

Oh, boy. Now I feel like a complete shitheel.

This was *your* congregation, SM? It was, of course, a terrible accident. I hate to apologize for being a hopeless religious cynic, so instead I'll simply extend condolences.

Kitsune · 11-02-2005, 01:14 PM

Ah, shit. I retract. Sorry, SM.

mrnoodle · 11-02-2005, 01:15 PM

So do I

Size 12's...hefty meal.

Kitsune · 11-02-2005, 01:23 PM

Truly. I'm sorry for the loss in your community, SM.

Well, that about ends my day. I'm just going to hide under my desk for the rest of the day with my blanket and a cup of tea if anyone needs me.

11-01-2005, 11:01 AM	#3
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	Why doesn't anybody go down to the river anymore? That's what Jesus would do... __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

11-01-2005, 11:06 AM	#4
mrnoodle bent Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: under the weather Posts: 2,656	extension cord won't reach? __________________ Sìn a nall na cuaranan sin. -- Cha mhór is fheairrde thu iad, tha iad coltach ri cat air a dhathadh

11-01-2005, 12:58 PM	#5
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	God has a great sense of dark humor. You Christian types will want to watch out for that. Of course, a lot of Pagan deities can be rather capricious as well... __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

11-01-2005, 01:00 PM	#6
Troubleshooter The urban Jane Goodall Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 3,012	That's what happens when you start mistaking the Workings of The Lord for a simple +/- reaction. __________________ I have gained this from philosophy: that I do without being commanded what others do only from fear of the law. - Aristotle

11-02-2005, 09:17 AM	#8
mrnoodle bent Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: under the weather Posts: 2,656	I was baptized by my grandfather in a very idyllic farm pond. It was very Jordanesque. __________________ Sìn a nall na cuaranan sin. -- Cha mhór is fheairrde thu iad, tha iad coltach ri cat air a dhathadh

11-01-2005, 01:33 AM	#2
marichiko Guest Posts: n/a	Wow! I wonder what the woman who was going to be baptized is thinking right now? Talk about someone dying for your sins - literally!

11-02-2005, 11:37 AM	#9
Kitsune still eats dirt Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 3,031	/// Last edited by Kitsune; 11-02-2005 at 01:14 PM.

11-02-2005, 12:55 PM	#10
smoothmoniker to live and die in LA Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,090	Kyle was a friend, as is Dave, who leads worship at the church. just wanted to bring some context. __________________ to live and die in LA

11-02-2005, 01:01 PM	#12
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	Oh, boy. Now I feel like a complete shitheel. This was your congregation, SM? It was, of course, a terrible accident. I hate to apologize for being a hopeless religious cynic, so instead I'll simply extend condolences. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

11-02-2005, 01:14 PM	#13
Kitsune still eats dirt Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 3,031	Ah, shit. I retract. Sorry, SM.

11-02-2005, 01:15 PM	#14
mrnoodle bent Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: under the weather Posts: 2,656	So do I Size 12's...hefty meal. __________________ Sìn a nall na cuaranan sin. -- Cha mhór is fheairrde thu iad, tha iad coltach ri cat air a dhathadh

11-02-2005, 01:23 PM	#15
Kitsune still eats dirt Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 3,031	Truly. I'm sorry for the loss in your community, SM. Well, that about ends my day. I'm just going to hide under my desk for the rest of the day with my blanket and a cup of tea if anyone needs me.

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