By Rebecca Berg and Karrie Meyers — Littleton, Colorado . . . For the Mile High Academy and Littleton Seventh-day Adventist Church communities, Easter Sabbath was extra special because MHA Junior Leilani Exson was baptized. However, due to current COVID-19 social distancing restrictions, her baptism took place with only a limited number of people present in the church. However, many tuned in via Littleton’s live streaming Facebook page and in the last three days there have been over 700 views.  During a special prayer Littleton’s Senior Pastor Andy Nash described for viewers the visualization that the church pews were filled with angels instead of empty.

“This just seemed like the right time on so many levels for Leilani’s baptism,” said Pastor Nash. “Leilani is a joy-filled and inspiring young lady that I have been honored to teach in my Bible class at Mile High Academy. And even though the church was empty, all of Heaven was with us last week on Silent Sabbath. It is a day we remember Christ resting in His tomb. But we also celebrated Leilani’s choice to symbolically rest in the watery grave and come up baptized in the salvation of her Savior.”

Leilani started her baptismal studies in January of this year with MHA Chaplain and Upper School Teacher Rebecca Berg after expressing an interest in growing closer in her relationship with Christ. Her excitement to be baptized grew as she continued with her studies. But then the COVID-19 pandemic hit and with it came the news Leilani’s dad, Warren Exson, was leaving on an extended trip. The family reached out to Pastor Nash and the Littleton Church.  It was unanimously decided to move forward with her baptism on Easter Sabbath. There in attendance with Leilani were her mom, dad and two brothers.

While her Mile High Academy family couldn’t join her on her special day, a video presentation was filled with greetings and well-wishes for Leilani.

Mile High Academy gives a journal to each of its students on their baptismal day. The purpose behind this journal is to provide a spot to write remembrances from their walk with Christ. The journal symbolically represents a link. The link of being included as a part of the chain of the followers of Christ.

“Leilani is an unbelievably special person,” said Mrs. Berg. “Her love for God is apparent and although she is often quiet, she was persistent and bold about doing the baptismal studies and taking the steps toward baptism. God has given her a spirit of love and newness. I know all the teachers at Mile High Academy, her friends and family were unbelievably proud of her and the step she made.”

To watch Leilani’s baptism, please visit Littleton Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Facebook page.

Rebecca Berg and Karrie Meyers