When asked why she wanted to be baptised, she said that it was something she had wanted to do for many years, but was encouraged to wait a bit longer, until old enough to make such a decision. Her parents, as she pointed out, still continued to encourage her to follow Jesus. Other people who have influenced her to commit herself to Jesus have been her Pathfinder leaders, who showed her that following Jesus and having fun, goes together.
It was at Pathfinder Camporee, in fact, where Antonia once again asked to be baptised, having been encouraged by a close friend’s baptism. She responded to the call for commitment and filled in a card offered at camporee, asking for Bible studies and baptism.
Sylvia Mendez, pastor at Wantirna Church at the time, followed up on the commitment card, and has been studying with Antonia ever since. “It has been such a blessing to watch her grow in faith,” says Sylvia, who studied with both Antonia and Charlie Radziszewski, who also responded to the commitment call at Camporee and will be baptised this coming weekend. “Both young people have been faithful and committed to studying the Bible, showing up week after week for our Zoom studies throughout last year.”
Antonia had scheduled her baptism for April last year, which was postponed to July, and then the second lock down hit. She then rescheduled for Feb 13, and of course, we had our third lock down. Undeterred, and excited to demonstrate that she has devoted herself to Jesus, Antonia finally stepped into the water at Lysterfield Lake, to be washed clean through the waters of baptism.
Congratulations Antonia, and may you be aware of God’s presence in your life as you dedicate it to Him.