It seems you’re never too old to accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and get baptised at a Brisbane retirement village.
Ninety-year-old Carinity Wishart Gardens resident Alvin McHugh didn’t let his age or fear stop him from publicly confirming his commitment to Christ.
Almost 70 people, including family members and friends, witnessed his baptism in the village’s pavilion.
“Due to circumstances, I slipped through the cracks but now on reflection of my life, I feel it’s time to be obedient to God’s wishes,” Alvin told the gathering before being baptised.
“HIS STORY IS A POWERFUL REMINDER OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS”
Carinity’s Mission Engagement Manager Pastor Tracey Valentine performed the baptism with Reverend Tim Winslade.
She said it was a “privilege to stand alongside Alvin as he took this step of faith.”
“It was such a joy to spend time with Alvin as he prepared for his baptism.”
“Hearing his story was a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness,” Pastor Valentine proclaimed.
“Throughout his life – from childhood, through the hardships following the war, to meeting his wife, and walking together through a challenging season
later in life – Alvin can see God’s hand in his life.”
ALVIN REFLECTS ON HIS LIFETIME JOURNEY TO BAPTISM
Alvin spoke of his heartfelt gratitude for the way God has led him, especially in bringing he and his wife Elaine to Wishart Gardens over ten years ago – and during tough times in his life.
He admitted his faith was “sorely tested and found wanting” during his youth, especially following the passing of his father – a Baptist pastor – when Alvin was 17.
“At that point my faith was at a very low ebb and I blamed God for taking my father at an age when I really needed a father to guide me through those
difficult years,” Alvin reflected.
He “recommitted his life to the Lord” in his 40s and strongly believes God “never abandoned me” and “looked after me through the good and the not so good”.
HOW ALVIN CAME TO RECOGNISE GOD’S FAITHFULNESS TO HIM
That included mental health challenges after his first marriage ended, and the years he cared for Elaine, who suffered from depression and dementia.
“It was only when I looked back over this period of my life that I came to realise His faithfulness to me,” Alvin confessed.
“This whole period was one of complete stress and frustration, but through constant prayer God gave me the strength and understanding I needed to
carry out my care for Elaine.”
Alvin thanked the Carinity Wishart Gardens community for its support, especially after Elaine, his partner of almost 60 years, passed away in
September.
“As soon as I came to my first church service here, I knew I had found my church family,” he said.
Source: Carinity: An Outreach of Queensland Baptists
