Students lead other students to baptism
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Last summer I made the decision to be baptized through a baptismal class taught by Southwestern Adventist University students Jose LaPorte and Calix Ashby. The Sabbath morning class was the beginning of a ministry orchestrated by students to help others build a relationship with Christ.
As a result of the class, Gustavo Matheus and I were baptized. Little did I know that was only the beginning of God’s plan.
Jose called together a group of students: Calix Ashby, Ethan Muse, Olivia Weber, Eileen Neave, Jorge Catumbela, and me. Jorge and I had been through the lessons studying with Jose and became leaders after making our decisions for Christ.
We met as a group along with our sponsor Bill Kilgore, professor of religion at SWAU. After brainstorming, we decided to split into three Bible study groups so students could have more opportunities to attend.
All three groups led out in one Bible study a week and the leaders met every other week. The leader meetings gave us a chance to encourage each other, discuss how our studies are going, and pray together.
Bible study leader Eileen Neave says, "It’s not always easy to minister to your fellow classmates. Some of the studies were hard because they were on doctrinal issues that I was used to being taught by professors. I was really surprised that I could teach it to others."
For the past two years, Kilgore has set a baptismal date for every semester, and the professors in the religion department announce the date to their students.
Freshman Steven Solero has been attending the Bible studies led by Olivia Weber and Ethan Muse, and will be baptized Friday night, April 25 at the school pool. Solero says, "I noticed a big difference since attending the studies and choosing to be baptized. I’ve actually opened my Bible this semester and studied a lot more. Since I started the Bible studies, I look at things differently. I’m more positive. The studies have really made an impact on me."
The Bible studies are led by students for a reason. LaPorte says, "I believe that disciples empower disciples, and as students become empowered by Christ they should then empower others. As students we’ve got the same struggles, so when a student can see his fellow classmate making a decision for Christ they can say, ‘If he can do it, I can do it.’"
LaPorte’s plans for other students to join in leading the Bible study groups so they can carry on the ministry in years to come.
Steven Solero says, "Because the Bible study leaders are students it wasn’t like I was being taught. It’s a comfortable environment. I can come in my jeans and a T-shirt and be accepted. It’s easier to take things in because we’re all there learning together." Solero says if he is given the opportunity he might be willing to help give Bible studies in the future.
Olivia Weber says, "One of the coolest things about being a Bible study leader is how it has led me to depend on God. As students we all have busy schedules, but even though we didn’t always have time to prepare like we wanted, God provides. It’s really cool to see how God makes up for the things we lack."
Jose LaPorte says, "There is no better thing in this world than to help each other get to the kingdom, and when we see others getting excited for the Lord, only God can be glorified."
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