Wading in Baptismal Waters -- at Hydrants

As the trombones blared, the "saints" -- dressed in white -- filled the streets in front of God's White House in Northwest Washington yesterday to be soaked in the name of Jesus during the final day of the 82nd annual Holy Convocation of the United House of Prayer for All People.

The mass outdoor baptism service was the first major event presided over by Bishop C.M. "Sweet Daddy" Bailey, the new leader of the District-based organization that has more than 1.5 million members nationwide. Bailey succeeds Bishop S.C. "Sweet Daddy" Madison, who died in April after a brief illness.

"I pray that the waters of the District of Columbia be converted by faith to the rivers of Jordan," said Bailey, just before a fire hydrant was turned on and people were hosed down in a ritual church officials say comes from Ezekiel 36:25: "I will sprinkle clean water upon you and ye shall be clean from all your filthiness and from all your idols, will I cleanse you."

Several hundred people turned out for the event. Although United House of Prayer is well known for outdoor baptismal services, New Orleans-style brass bands and charismatic leaders who are referred to as Daddy or Sweet Daddy, many have been watching to see what changes Bailey will make as the head of one of the wealthiest African American denominations in the country.

Bailey is only the fourth presiding bishop of the organization, which dates to the early 1900s and was founded by Bishop C.M. Grace. Some church members have privately raised concerns about how Bailey will manage the church's properties and assets, but yesterday there was unity in the water.

Bailey, from Augusta, Ga., was elected by 91 percent of those who voted during the church's annual General Assembly. Since that time, he has been visiting some of the 150 churches in the organization.

The District stop was special because it is home to God's White House, the headquarters church of the organization. The M Street congregation is headed by Apostle H.L. Whitner, who was also talked about as a possible successor to Madison. Now Whitner and Bailey are traveling together.

"Bishop Bailey has been carrying out the work just as Bishop Madison," Whitner said before he jumped in front of the hose. "This is our sixth stop. We started in Buffalo, New York."

Bailey was consecrated as an apostle in March 1984, and unlike his predecessors, who let their hair grow into long, silver locks, he keeps a crew cut, which matches his no-nonsense style.

During the baptismal service, Bailey told the crowd that water alone is not what cleanses the soul. "The key is believing." If anybody wondered if he was the right person for his new job, he told the crowd, "I am here because the Lord sent me here."