Across North Carolina, hundreds of believers took their next step of obedience during Fill the Tank Sunday. Churches shared testimonies of God restoring families, delivering people from addiction and building legacies of faith.

The congregants of Piney Grove Baptist Church witnessed a baptism that was a long time coming when 31-year-old Austin Spruill made a public profession of faith and was baptized on Easter Sunday.

Having made a personal profession 10 years ago during a revival service at Piney Grove, he wrestled with baptism but never went through with it. That was, until his son asked him a question.

“About four or five weeks ago, as we were saying our prayers, he started asking me about baptism,” Spruill told the Biblical Recorder.

Eventually his son asked if Spruill had been baptized, to which he responded, “No buddy, but I need to be.”

Recognizing the call and knowing what was needed for him to spiritually lead his family, he went to Pastor Jason Tate of Piney Grove and was baptized on Easter Sunday.

Spruill’s story is one of hundreds of baptisms celebrated across North Carolina as part of Fill the Tank Sunday on April 12, an annual statewide emphasis encouraging believers to take the next step of obedience through baptism.

Fill the Tank, now in its fifth year, invites N.C. Baptist churches to set aside a Sunday, usually the one after Easter, to celebrate God transforming lives through the gospel and to act in faith by calling people to respond in obedience through baptism.

As of Monday afternoon, churches continued to submit baptism reports, and many have baptisms scheduled in the coming weeks. Churches can still report baptisms through this online form. 

Stories of obedience and family discipleship

At New Life Community Church in Asheville, Pastor Steve Harris had several baptisms planned but opened it up for anyone, providing shorts, T-shirts and towels.

“I had a physician come forward, very emotional,” Harris said. “He said, ‘I have been putting this off for many years and have held my family back from joining the church. I need to do this today.’ He was baptized much to the joy of his family.”

At Mountain View Baptist Church in Hickory, Pastor Steven Hill reported baptisms across all three services on Easter and another on April 12.

“We have a former meth addict and dealer who gave their life to Christ getting baptized in next week’s service,” Hill said. “We also had a family from our baseball team give their lives to Christ along with two college students today. So four more baptisms in the weeks ahead.”

At Arran Lake Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Pastor Andrew Clark witnessed what he called a “full circle moment.”

An 8-year-old boy baptized that day had first brought his family to the church through the congregation’s ongoing work at the elementary school across the street.

“The 8-year-old told his parents about Jesus, they began coming to the church, they were saved, baptized and joined the church earlier this year,” Clark said. “Today we baptized the 8-year-old son who played a major role in leading his parents to Christ.”

Clark also reported that a high school student who witnessed a fellow student get baptized asked the student director about the meaning of baptism, which led to a gospel conversation and a profession of faith. 

“We will baptize him next week,” he said.

Testimonies and transformed lives

At F.I.T. Community Church in Roxboro, Pastor Brad Wesley said the church’s practice during baptisms is for candidates to share their testimony.

“Today, we heard stories of God delivering someone from addiction. God is also restoring marriages,” Wesley said. “One young lady was baptized at age 8 at her parents’ request but wanted to declare to the world that this is solely her decision at age 25. There were hundreds of people in the room, and they were undoubtedly blessed by what they witnessed. God is good.”

Aaron Wallace baptized Sue Dart two years ago. Before she died last November, she prayed her family would walk with Jesus. Her son, Mike, was a new believer.

Yesterday at Hephzibah Baptist Church in Wendell, Mike baptized his father and his son. His son, Luke, had professed his faith on Easter.

Seven more were baptized at Hephzibah. 

International impact

Fairview Baptist Church in Statesville celebrated four baptisms in the last two weeks, including a young woman from Germany who came to know the Lord through observing the difference salvation made in the life of her sister, a church member.

“She wanted to be baptized as a new believer at our church while she was here visiting her sister during the Easter season and plans to unite with a church in Germany once she returns to her home,” said Pastor Paul Hill. “These were all very special stories and life-changing stories and were so encouraging to our church family.”

In Franklin, Pastor Davis Hooper reported three adults all above the age of 60 following the Lord in baptism at Wells Grove Baptist Church.

Fill the Tank continues to serve as a catalyst for gospel conversations and bold declarations of faith across North Carolina, reminding churches that baptism is not just a celebration of past decisions but a commissioning into lifelong discipleship and mission.

Next year, Fill the Tank Sunday will be held on April 4, 2027.

By Stephen Halley, Biblical Recorder Editorial Aide, and Liz Tablazon, N.C. Baptist Contributing Writer