January 21, 2018 one of our faithful Kids Club attendees was baptized! Now a fifth grader, Andrea has attended Kids Club at the local public school OWI is ministering in since third grade. When OWI started a Kids Club at her nearby apartment complex, she started going there as well—two Kids Clubs per week! Andrea’s mom attends the OWI ladies Bible study and her brother attends OWI Teen Time at the complex. What a blessing!
In the fall of 2017, Andrea approached Homer Schott, leader of the apartment Kids Club and asked him about being baptized. Over the course of weeks that followed, Homer talked to Andrea about baptism to be sure she understood her salvation, her assurance of her salvation, and the purpose of baptism in obedience to God’s command and Jesus’ example of showing her faith in Him. Ladies Bible Study leader, Perla Loftin and Homer visited with Andrea’s mom who is a believer herself and was baptized six years ago. When all were satisfied that there was total clarity in the act of baptism, it was set.
Andrea excitedly invited her family and some teachers at her school. The day arrived and Andrea was all smiles. Her entire family was there to witness her baptism: mom, stepdad, three brothers, little sister, cousin, and a brother’s girlfriend! One of her teachers was there too! The entire apartment Kids Club team was in attendance and it was a precious blessing to watch. Andrea, without hesitation professed to believing in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of her sins and her one way to heaven in front of the full congregation of attendees at Wayside Chapel. She quoted I John 5:13 as her assurance of salvation: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” And Homer had the honor of baptizing Andrea: “Because of your profession of faith and your desire to live a life pleasing to God, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—buried in the likeness of Christ, raised in the newness of life!”
What a thrill! Some may wonder what a little Bible club, in a little apartment complex or public school can really accomplish in the lives of little children. We joyfully report, MIRACLES! And, we joyfully share, From Kids Club to Baptism! Congratulations to our sister in Christ!