Pool of Bethesda Prayer Garden Opens with Powerful Baptism Celebration

The newly opened Pool of Bethesda Prayer Garden on DBU's campus offers a serene retreat for prayer and reflection. With its soothing waterfall and scenic overlook, the garden is a place of healing and peace, inspired by John's account of Jesus healing a man at the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem. A meaningful addition to DBU's award-winning campus landscape, this sacred space serves as a reminder of God's presence and mercy, with Isaiah 43:2 etched in stone: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you."

Recently, this peaceful setting became the site of an extraordinary moment of faith. Despite the chill of December, five DBU Men's Soccer players publicly proclaimed their faith in Christ through baptism at the Pool of Bethesda. Led by their teammate, junior Nicolas Barros, the men were baptized before an intimate group of family, friends, and supporters—an event that quickly became a source of inspiration across campus.

This powerful display of faith was the culmination of a spiritual movement within the soccer team that began in the fall, centered around their team's theme verse, 1 Corinthians 15:58, which calls believers to remain steadfast. Men's Soccer Head Coach Jess Jobe reflected on the team's commitment to faith, stating, "God has a never-changing, consistent love for us no matter what. We encourage each other to be steadfast in pursuing the right thing, both on and off the field."

Barros played a key role in fostering these spiritual conversations, often leading team prayers and Bible studies at Ford Village, where he lives. Assistant Coach Paul Hason also provided guidance and encouragement as more players grew curious about what it means to walk with Christ. As the season progressed, five players made the life-changing decision to accept Christ, leading to their baptism at the Pool of Bethesda.

Two additional players, Cason Berg and Gavyn Rosales, chose to be baptized at their home churches with their families. Meanwhile, others continue to explore their faith journey, and Coach Jobe looks forward to nurturing these conversations throughout the year.

A special moment during the baptism service came when Barros' parents traveled from Brazil to witness the event. His father, a former professional soccer player and pastor, shared his testimony in Portuguese, with Barros translating for those gathered. As the sun set, fellow students joined in an impromptu time of worship and praise, making the evening even more unforgettable.

Coach Jobe reflected on the significance of the moment: "We were blown away by God's faithfulness. As coaches, we know that discipling our student-athletes is a priority, and to see it unfold in such a powerful way was incredible. It's truly been a team effort."

The Pool of Bethesda Prayer Garden stands as a testament to God's faithfulness and an invitation for all to find peace and restoration in His presence. Next time you visit DBU's campus, we encourage you to spend a quiet moment in prayer and reflection at this sacred space.