One Baptism—Many Memories

by Irene Evers I sat spellbound next to my husband in the small white clapboard church as the minister prepared for a baptism. I could not see for the tears in my eyes. Years before there had come into our church's youth group two young teenagers, one involved in the occult, both caught up in the cultural lifestyle of unbelievers. They accepted our invitation to come to a youth retreat at a summer cottage, though one fellow told us later he had come only because he wanted to see what our angle was since there was no charge. They eventually made professions of faith and became members of the church. During the summer they participated in a Bible study at our home. As we reached out to these two, they reached back to us. We had prayer meetings together as well as social times and witnessed the grace of God in their changed lives, even being instrumental in getting their high school principal to give permission for a Bible study on the premises. After a few false starts after becoming a Christian, one young man graduated from high school, the only one in his large family to do so. We accompanied him as he enrolled in a Bible college in another state. As years passed, we lost touch with him. Then came a telephone call informing us that he was taking courses at a seminary. He graduated with a degree in marriage and family counseling. We learned that his friend had finished his training also and was pastoring a church. Again, the years rolled by, and we regrettably lost touch. My mind returned to the present. We were there in that church by invitation, and I was overcome with emotion to see these same two, now grown men, standing before me. There, in front of the altar, stood the pastor of the church, about to baptize the son of the family therapist. I was reminded of the many years that had passed, the challenges we had been through together, and of God's overwhelming faithfulness. I recalled Ecclesiastes 11:1, "Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again." And as I wiped away the tears, I praised God for these two young men who meant business with God when they were in their teens.

 

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