October 2, 2026
WEST POINT, Ky. (KT) – What makes a good day? Try 40-plus baptisms, 22 professions of faith, and more than 1,000 people coming together for an unforgettable worship experience. That was the scene Sunday afternoon, Aug. 17, at the second annual Church at the River, hosted by GracePointe Baptist and Beechland Baptist.
Despite the sweltering heat, GracePointe Pastor Mark Bishop could hardly contain his excitement after personally baptizing more than 20 people.
“A good, good day,” he said. “We had 250 people here who had nothing to do with the church walk in today. It was unbelievable, and there were some awesome moments.”
This was the second year for the river baptism day for GracePointe Baptist, and the event keeps getting bigger. Many people who gathered on Sunday came ready with umbrellas for shade, while others took refuge from the heat under tents provided.
The city of West Point contributed as well, providing the portable bathrooms. Bishop said donations from the Kentucky Baptist Foundation, the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and the Louisville Regional Baptist Association deserve a hat tip for making the day possible.
He didn’t preach, but Bishop and associate pastor Luke Lesmeister did the baptizing in rapid fire. He said once it got into the 20s, people stopped counting. There were more than 40 baptized, probably closer to 44, he said.
As for the attendance, he said they lost about 150 senior adults because of the hot weather, but more than made up for the total with first-time visitors.
The preaching was provided by Mark McClellan of Willenbrook, Ala., who pastors one of the top baptizing churches in the state. Bishop said his friend was the one who convinced him that the river baptisms can add up to a big day. “I wanted to get him here to speak,” Bishop said.
The group The Chosen provided the music.
It all took place at Veterans Memorial Park, the same park that was practically under water because of flooding in May. The river baptism event was supposed to happen then, Bishop said, but had to be moved to August.
There was no rain, but he said it may have been the hottest day of the year. But it was also one of the best. He said the crowd gathered in a horseshoe shape, staying away from the areas where the sun was beating down. Some were under the tents and others under trees.
“I told them nobody gathered there because offering buckets were in the middle,” he joked.
Thirty-seven baptisms and 31 professions were part of a Super Sunday last year at the river.
Recently, the church also held its annual Beast Feast with more than 20 salvations over 500 attending.
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This story appeared in Kentucky Today.
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