Kolby had been running from God most of his life. In fact, he actively sought ways not to engage with Him. After a year at Milo of hearing the gospel in class, from the pulpit and through other worship activities, he began to see Jesus for who He truly is: an amazing Savior.
One night, Kolby was feeling compelled by the Holy Spirit to speak with me regarding baptism. Immediately, the forces of Satan began to attack him and try to dissuade him from making a stand for Jesus. Several students prayed with him throughout the night. The next morning, he came and talked with me about his experience.
Ultimately, Kolby decided that he could no longer run from God but wanted to run to Jesus. He accepted Christ as his personal Savior for the first time in his life that morning. His whole countenance changed in that moment. Joy entered his life. Peace replaced fear. Confidence in Christ destroyed the attacks of the enemy. Kolby experienced freedom in Jesus that day.
We immediately began baptismal studies, and, a few weeks later, he was baptized in the surf at Sunset Bay on the southern Oregon coast
Haylee grew up knowing a lot about the Bible. She can articulate the 28 Fundamental Beliefs better than any teen I’ve met before. She knows her stuff. Yet she never felt a real connection with God.
This year, Haylee came to see Jesus not as a distant God, but an intimate friend. Her heart finally caught up with her mind. She had thought about baptism many times in her life, yet never felt convinced it was her time. Here at Milo Adventist Academy in Days Creek, there was no longer any doubt.
We began studying about the person of Jesus, and she decided to get baptized in the river at Milo following the spring week of prayer.
What was even more amazing was that the weekend she chose to be baptized happened to be our “lock-in” weekend. We were holding a spiritual revival conference on campus called “Stand: 'Cause Christianity is not a playground … it’s a battleground.” The focus was on Ephesians 6 and how to conduct spiritual warfare in our lives.
As we neared the baptism date, Haylee felt compelled to teach one of the sessions. Specifically, she felt called to teach on the Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God). So, she was baptized and then literally, a few minutes later, was up front, teaching 90 of her peers about the importance of learning and integrating the Scriptures into our lives. It was one of the coolest things I’ve seen.
Kolby decided that he could no longer run from God but wanted to run to Jesus.
Haylee came to see Jesus not as a distant God, but an intimate friend.
