RMCNews – Loveland, Colorado … The Campion Adventist Church family joyfully accepted three newly baptized members and one recommitment on May 6. Ten more baptisms occurred on May 12, and one rebaptism on May 19. If you do the math, that is 15 of God’s children entering, or reentering, into a commitment of faith.
Over the course of the month, the baptisms were officiated by four pastors and/or elders. Those baptized ranged in age from second-grade students to retired dentist. Two even requested to be baptized together: Cana Goetz, daughter of Michael Goetz, pastor of Campion Church, and her best friend Emma Nelson, a student at HMS Richards School, baptized by Eric Nelson, former RMC vice president for administration, her grandfather.
Seven-year-old Madelyn Schwisow gave her testimony: “I want to be baptized because I want to follow Jesus. I want to do as Christ did each day by faith, by prayer, by trust, by choices, and by reading the Bible.”
Bodi Jacob, a young student, shared, “I decided to be baptized a year ago. My family and I did Bible studies with Kim and Mary Mehlenbacher. They have helped me in my spiritual walk. I want to be baptized because I want and need Jesus in my heart every day. I want to give my life to Him.”
Annalise Gomez, 14 years old, said, “I have been learning about God and seeing how he works through other people’s lives for as long as I can remember. I want God to work through me spreading His word. I want to accept Him into my life no matter what the cost may be. I want Jesus as my best friend.”
Kenneth Jacob, a husband, and father, testified, “I wasn’t [raised Adventist]. I met Alisa, my wife, while she was attending Andrews University. She has been my rock, standing by me patiently through this long journey as I worked to shed my prideful secular ways, allowing me to view the world through the lens of Christianity. Together we have two amazing boys that I have the extreme pleasure of sharing this baptismal tank with. I would also like to thank Kim and Mary Mehlenbacher for guiding our family in our spiritual journey over the past six months of Bible studies … Once I realized that we are loved unconditionally by God, we can become loved for the sake of others. To be baptized is more than a public display, it’s a soul-cleansing birth into Christianity.”
Timm Eickmann, a retired dentist, spent the year prior reading his bible. He was amazed at what God has done to save His people and His grace, mercy, and peace. “More than ever,” he says, “I appreciate who God is. Today, I want to rededicate my life to Him.”
—RMCNews, a story based on Campion Connections newsletter. Interviews by Muriel Indermuehle and Ella Jean Albertsen. Photos by Catherine Chamberlain and Eric Stenbakken.
