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Big day for baptism

Thousands enjoy Mount Ararat Baptist Church festival, fireworks shows across the region

By JEFF BRANSCOME and LAURA WITHERS

Date published: 7/5/2004

Less than a year after being released from prison, Chris Van Steinburg stepped into a livestock tank filled with nearly 300 gallons of water.

As the 24-year-old born-again Christian sat down in the water, Pastor Todd Gaston locked eyes with him and smiled.

Steinburg gripped Gaston's forearm and thanked him.

"Based upon your profession of faith, I now baptize you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit," Gaston said as he put his left hand on Steinburg's back.

Steinburg then leaned back, plunging his head underwater. Gaston quickly pulled him from the 3-foot-deep tank as hundreds of members of Mount Ararat Baptist Church in North Stafford applauded.

Yesterday morning, four pastors baptized about 40 people--despite the gray skies and intermittent rain--in the church's first-ever Independence Day open-air baptismal service.

Later in the day, Mount Ararat hosted a 30-minute fireworks show for the public. Pyrotechnics also lit up the city of Fredericksburg and southern Stafford, Colonial Beach, Quantico Marine Corps Base, Culpeper and Fauquier County.

But those who ventured to Mount Ararat Baptist Church were entertained the entire day.

Anthony Campbell, a King George County native who won the NBC "Today" show's Superstar contest, sang before and after the mass baptisms.

By mid-afternoon, a grassy field near the church was transformed into a child's dreamland, complete with rides, costumed characters and hot dogs. Parents watched as their children sampled about a dozen activities--from boxing to rock climbing.

Papa Doo Run Run, a classic rock band from California, performed on stage just before the fireworks began bursting in the air at 9:30 p.m.

Steinburg, who lives in North Carolina, volunteered to be a security guard at the festivities. Since his parents live in Stafford, he makes the six-hour drive to Mount Ararat about three times a month.

Steinburg--whose arms are covered with tattoos--said he's thankful the people at Mount Ararat have accepted him.

"Everybody is just happy you're doing the right thing," he said.

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Date published: 7/5/2004