When the Holy Spirit speaks, it pays to listen. The Rev. Canon Ellis Brust, rector of St. Andrew’s, Fort Pierce, has a special reason to embrace that truth after a recent divine encounter. On Sunday, Jan. 15, Brust sensed that God was impressing something on him as he prepared to baptize three children.

“We had scheduled three baptisms that day, an infant and two older boys about 4 and 5,” explained Brust. “While examining the candidates, I felt the Holy Spirit speak into my heart that someone else wanted to be baptized. The Holy Spirit said to me, ‘There is another who would like to be baptized … ask!’ That is the closest experience I’ve had to hearing the voice of the Lord.”

Canon Brust celebrates the sacrament of baptism. | Photo Credit: St. Andrew’s, Fort Pierce

During the prayer over the baptismal water, the voice of the Holy Spirit grew louder and louder in his ears. Brust said, “I stopped and said, ‘The Holy Spirit has put on my heart that someone here this morning desires to be baptized. If this is you, please come down a side aisle, and we will baptize you.’

“No one came forward, so I proceeded with the baptisms,” he said. “When I finished, I said, ‘Anyone else?’ and immediately eight hands went up!”

Not all of the newly baptized were parishioners; they ranged in age from older children to adults. “Some of the people were friends of friends,” Brust said. “Two were visiting from New Hampshire because their nephew was baptized that morning. They gathered around the altar with the other three candidates. I baptized every one of them. After each baptism, the congregation was on its feet, cheering for them. There were over 200 people in the church that day, so the joyful noise was thunderous!

“That was one of the greatest services in four decades of ministry,” Brust said. “I shared the experience with Bishop Brewer, and he said, ‘Ellis, could you imagine how you would have felt if you had not listened to the Holy Spirit?'”

Canon Brust baptizes Clint Walker as Walker’s mother watches. Photo Credit: Cassandra LaChase

One of those baptized was Clint Walker, a newcomer to St. Andrew’s whose son, Charley, was one of the original three candidates. “It was shocking how Ellis offered to baptize anyone else,” he said. “I knew it was meant for me.”

During his baptism, he experienced a rush of emotions. “The baptism was so surreal,” he said. “I was happy and relieved. I was being saved! I immediately thought of my mom. It was the perfect opportunity for my mom and I to experience it together. To see her face and the glow on it was amazing.”

“It was so wonderful to share the day with Charley,” Walker said. “Being part of his baptism didn’t take away from my baptism, and it was the right moment for me.”

Cassandra LaChase, Walker’s fiancee, was overjoyed when he raised his hand.

“The night before, he had been texting his mom with all the logistics,” LaChase said. “She texted him that one of her biggest regrets was that she had never had him baptized, and she was so happy he was having his son baptized and would be there.

“When Canon Ellis gave the invitation, Clint looked at me,” she added. “He thought I’d said something to Canon Ellis about his mom’s text, but I hadn’t.”

Because of Charley, the family was seated in the front row. Once LaChase learned her fiance would be baptized, she urged his mother to join them at the front of the church. “I said, ‘Mom, come stand up by the font, so you can see your son be baptized.’

“Parishioners who have been Christians for over 50 years said it was the most beautiful service they’ve ever seen,” she added. “That’s monumental to a newcomer!”

“I don’t know if we have ever baptized that many people on one Sunday,” Brust said. “In the 130 years of St. Andrew’s mission and ministry, it was a joyful and wonderful outpouring of the Holy Spirit.”

St. Andrew’s parishioner Avis Williams agrees. “Heaven came down and filled my soul with glory,” she said. “The Holy Spirit manifested himself that morning.”