Adventist Pastor Holds Unique Baptism at Brazilian Hospital

On Friday, August 16, the Costa do Cacau Hospital in Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil, experienced a unique moment in its history. For the first time, a paraplegic patient, hospitalized there, was baptized on the public hospital’s premises.

The initiative was organized by the local Seventh-day Adventist church, which set up a 1,000-liter (264-gallon) pool at the hospital for the ceremony.

The baptism, a symbolic act of spiritual renewal and repentance for past sins, followed the decision of hospital patient 26-year-old Felipe Santana de Nascimento, who was inspired by regular visits by a group of Adventist youth to the hospital. Aware of the condition of the patient, the group of young people, accompanied by the pastor of the local church, began to offer him spiritual support and Bible studies, which ended with his decision to choose a new path in a life of faith.

“It was impossible getting to know Jesus and not fall in love with Him,” Felipe explained.

The Ceremony

The moment was emotional, witnesses said. To perform the baptism, Osvaldo dos Anjos Jr., the pastor who accompanied the entire process of the patient’s conversion, entered the pool, sat down, and held the patient in his lap to submerge him in the waters.

“It’s a highly significant moment, both for the patient and for all of us,” dos Anjos said. “This man showed us that even in the most challenging situations, faith can bring transformation and hope. We thank the hospital for allowing this ceremony to take place, thus respecting the patient’s wishes.”

Social work coordinator Maria Lugiane Cunha highlighted the importance of focusing on human care in health-care facilities, emphasizing the role of spirituality as part of a comprehensive approach to patient care.

“When we received a request to perform the baptism, we understood that it was our responsibility to honor the patient’s wishes,” Cunha said. “Even though it was something new for us, we worked with the Adventist Church team to ensure that everything was done safely and respectfully.”

In addition to the health team and church members, other patients from the hospital watched the scene. The ceremony sought to provide comfort to the baptized patient and brought a feeling of peace and reflection to those present, Cunha emphasized. She explained that the baptismal ceremony held at the Costa do Cacau Hospital marked a new chapter in the institution’s history, affirming its commitment to humanized care and respect for the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of its patients.

“Felipe’s baptism opens the way for other patients who may have a desire to be baptized,” Cunha said. “They will be able to do it even if they are hospitalized.”

The original version of this story was posted on the South American Division Portuguese-language news site.