A Flooded Church, a Scenic Lake, and a Baptism No One Saw Coming

A planned Sabbath baptism for four candidates from the Sallisaw Seventh‑day Adventist Church took an unexpected turn Saturday after a burst pipe flooded the sanctuary, forcing congregation to relocate the service to Brushy Lake in the Cookson Hills. Pastor Robert Quintana — affectionately known as Pastor Q — had just begun praying over the candidates when a nearby group of children swimming in the lake started singing “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall.” Their playful chorus became the backdrop to a moment that soon took a surprising spiritual twist.

As the congregation gathered on the shoreline, praying and embracing the baptismal candidates, a mother from the swimming group approached and asked to be baptized on the spot.

After emerging from the water, Lisa, wearing a tie‑dyed bikini, laughed as she shared what she felt in the moment:

“I felt the Holy Spirit telling me, ‘Get out of that floatie and get into the arms of Christ!’”

Quintana said the spontaneous decision reminded him of Scripture.

“I felt like John the Baptist for a few minutes,” he said.

The four original candidates — Anne Robertson, Ashley Greenwood, and husband and wife Shannon and Adam Herning — had been studying with Quintana during Friday night Bible lessons for the past year. Their baptism was scheduled for the Sallisaw church that morning, but when elders arrived, they found the sanctuary flooded. The congregation quickly pivoted to the fellowship hall for worship, which conveniently flowed into a haystack potluck.

Despite the disruption, the candidates insisted the baptism continue “today… anywhere.”

Family and friends traveled from across the region to witness the moment. Shannon and Adam’s son made a surprise trip from Fort Collins, Colorado. Anne’s supporters came from Chickasha, Tulsa, and Shawnee, and Ashley’s family represented three generations from Arkansas.

Quintana reflected on the symbolism of the day. He noted that a flood once cleansed the earth, and Saturday’s sanctuary flood seemed to redirect the congregation to the lake for a divine appointment.

“Satan wanted to take this day from us. He didn’t get it,” he said.

As church members circled the candidates in prayer, lake‑goers watched, listened, and were visibly moved. Lisa said her life “will be forever changed” by what she witnessed.

Even the ServPro team called to address the church flood joined the congregation afterward for the haystack potluck, fellowshipping with members and guests.

Attendance for the day was roughly double the usual number, Quintana said.

“God certainly had His hand on the Sallisaw Church today,” he concluded.