Pentecostal Temple Part Deux

After photographing the Sunday services at the Pentecostal Temple, I was invited to attend their 75th anniversary barbecue the following Saturday. Also, after talking to Neil for about five minutes (it didn't require much thought at all), I decided I would pursue the Pentecostal Temple as a project. Cool story, brah. Anyway, I went to the barbecue on Saturday, mostly to show my face, but maybe to also find a moment outside of the church building. I was warmly welcomed by everyone, and hustled into the food line where I chatted with some of the people, eventually sitting down to eat lunch with them. I heard some interesting stories and learned a bit, so I didn't bother looking for a feature there.

As I went to leave, one of the people I had lunch with informed me that there was a group of men outside praying over someone, and that I should check it out. And so I did. The light wasn't in my favor, but I took the time to shoot a similar situation from the previous assignment in a different setting and in different ways. They prayed over him for about 20 minutes, and then they asked if he wanted to be baptized, he excitedly said yes. Hearing this, and knowing the access, I immediately found the pastor and asked if I could come along. He also excitedly said yes. As I was walking to my car, the three men who were praying over Art asked if I was coming. I said "definitely."

It was pretty interesting to be right next to the baptismal pool surrounded by others who were praying over Art as he was submerged into the water. I grew up in church, I'm a PK (pastor's kid), so I was baptized too, but to be there with a camera, shooting without them being at all awkward about it? Incredible. Also, Art totally had a spring in his step after being baptized -- I had seen him earlier in the day as he hobbled out of the bathroom. It was an incredible experience.