Third Thursday: Trace Church in Colorado Springs Waves the White Towel

After a sabbatical following the COVID-19 season, Pastor Aaron Pennington of Trace Church in Colorado Springs felt led to offer a clear, visible invitation to respond to the gospel every Sunday. He wasn’t drawn to quiet, private gestures like raised hands—he believed surrendering to Christ should be a public, deliberate step.

Inspired by Matthew 16:24, Pennington introduced white towels at the front of the stage as a symbol of surrender. Each week, people are invited to take a towel and bring it to the church’s Next Steps booth, where they learn about baptism and following Jesus.

The simple act has had a powerful impact. Some respond immediately, others after weeks of quiet conviction. In 2024 alone, 432 people were baptized—nearly triple the number from the year before.

“It’s such a simple thing,” Pennington says, “but it works.”