Prior to the main activities planned for USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)s recent steel beach picnic, 13 Sailors were baptized
on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier while deployed to the U.S. Navy 5th Fleet area of responsibility. As the
bright sun rose high above the ocean waters and the flight deck the Sailors walked across the flight deck toward a standing
wooden cross and tub full of water.
Lincoln Command Chaplain, Cmdr. John Swanson described a baptism as not only being immersed in water, but water being
used as a visible symbol of washing away sins, used with God’s word and by His command. 
“A baptism is understood as the means by which God makes us a part of His covenant,” Swanson said. “God is the one who
does the work. It is a welcoming into the body of Christ, which is the church. The Bible teaches that there is only one baptism.
It doesn’t matter that you are baptized in the Methodist, Lutheran, Baptist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, etc., church. When you
are baptized, you are baptized Christian.”
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) (AW/SW) 3rd Class Gerald Brown and Electrician’s Mate Fireman Apprentice Eric Foster were
among the group and said they were nervous and excited to get baptized. 
“It’s a big step and I got a little nervous due to the crowd, but I believe in the Lord so all that nervousness just went out the
window,” Brown said.
“It was incredible,” Foster said. “Shipmates with roots and lineage from all over the globe, assembled in belief that a poor,
Jewish carpenter named Jesus Christ, died and then rose again in order to set the highest of kings to the lowliest of men, free
from bondage of sin and death. How real is that?”
Sailors already baptized were able to renew their dedication through the baptism, Swanson said.
“For those already baptized, it is a renewal of what God has already begun to do in their lives,” Swanson said. “The water is a
reminder of their first baptism where God called them out of darkness and into the splendor of His light.”
Deployment is often a time when many Sailors experience spiritual growth and reflection. Religious practices and ceremonies
are of huge significance to the Sailors and the rest of the ship. 
“Performing a baptism was just one more way that we could meet the needs of our Sailors on board,” Swanson said.
Sailors participating in the baptism emerged from the water and were prayed for by members and leaders of the ship’s
Protestant and Full Gospel congregations. 
Participating in a religion, no matter which it may be, may benefit the morale of the ship and provide a deeper meaning
for Sailors’ lives, even while out to sea on deployment, Swanson said.
“There is a distinct relationship between beliefs and one’s core values to behavior. That’s not to say Sailors involved in
spiritual growth can’t get in trouble or make poor choices. However, Sailors who have a religion, generally have a greater
awareness of their religious convictions and try to live out their lives measured by God’s principles, not their own,”
Swanson said.
Brown said marking a day with cleansing through baptism has allowed him a new start in life and looks forward to his
spiritual growth. 
“By the time I get home from deployment, I will be a better person,” Brown said. “It has helped me realize I need to live
life with no worries. It’s a slow process, but I will see results as I move on in life and as I continue to have faith and live
a righteous life.”