by Daoud Kuttab

A special Envoy to the Middle East and North Africa for the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), who had long dreamed of being baptized in the Jordan River, saw that dream fulfilled on November 4.

This happened through a remarkable sequence of encounters and unexpected opportunities during the MENA Evangelical Alliance’s General Assembly November 4-6 at the Dead Sea in Jordan.

John J. Girgis, a former WEA permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, described his baptism to Milhilard as both “a personal spiritual dream and a meeting of faith and timing.”

Girgis’s opportunity to be baptized in the Jordan River began after he attended a speech by Jordan’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Imad Hijazin, at a church in Dallas, Texas, during Jordan’s national football team’s participation in last June’s World Cup. In his address, the tourism minister spoke about the Jordan River baptism site and its religious and historical significance.

Inspired by the Jordanian official’s presentation, Girgis met for a short time and maintained contact after that initial meeting.  While attending the  General Assembly at the Dead Sea, Girgis contacted Minister Hijazin and arranged to visit him at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in Amman. He invited David Rihani, head of the Assemblies of God in Jordan, to accompany him.

On their return journey from Amman to the Dead Sea, Rihani asked Girgis whether he would still like to be baptized. “Yes, I would love to,” Girgis replied, “but how can this be arranged on such short notice?”

Rihani confidently responded, “I can arrange it.”

When they returned to the General Assembly, they learned that the organizers had decided to change the following day’s program, giving participants a break until 4 p.m. The unexpected change created a valuable opportunity to arrange the baptism for the following morning. That evening, just before 11 p.m., Rihani called Abdul Aziz Al-Edwan, director of the baptism site. Al-Edwan responded enthusiastically: “100 percent, you are welcome. I will receive you and your guests at the baptismal site tomorrow.”

Rihani then asked Girgis whom he would like to baptize. Girgis’s answer was immediate: his mentor, Bishop Efraim M. Tendero, former secretary general of the World Evangelical Alliance, who had mentored him for more than 15 years.

The following morning, the group was warmly received at the baptism site. They were particularly touched to see David Rihani’s name and his guests’ names displayed at the entrance reception, reflecting the special arrangements made for their visit. The site staff and security personnel welcomed them warmly.

Al-Edwan also arranged special permission for them to proceed to the tourist reception area rather than using the regular visitor buses. Upon arrival, the guests were personally welcomed, and everyone posed for a photograph before boarding a golf cart to the riverside baptism area.

The baptism service included readings by Rev. Rihani from Matthew 3:13–17, recounting the baptism of Jesus, and by Ghassan Zayadeen frp, Romans 6:3–4, reflecting on the believer’s identification with Christ in His death and resurrection. The service also included other Scripture readings and the priestly blessing from Numbers 6:24–26.

During the service, Girgis publicly confessed his faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, affirmed his belief in Christ’s death for humanity’s sins and His resurrection, and expressed his commitment to follow Him with God’s help.

Bishop Efraim Tendero then baptized Girgis by immersion in the Jordan River in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The service concluded with prayers and a blessing for wisdom, compassion, courage, and a faithful life in Christ.

For Girgis, the experience was far more than a personal milestone; he later told Milhilard. It represented the fulfillment of a longstanding spiritual aspiration of mine. The way the Lord worked through a remarkable chain of encounters, friendships, cooperation, and timely opportunities was divine,” he said.

What began with a speech in a church in Dallas culminated in a baptism in the Jordan River, made possible through the goodwill and cooperation of people who helped make this special moment a reality.