Growing up in the United Methodist Church, I was christened as a baby, and I am so thankful that my parents decided to raise me in the church. I don’t discount my baptism as a baby, but as I have gotten older and grown closer in my walk with Jesus, I have had this yearning to rededicate myself to Him and proclaim publicly that I will follow Him forever. I have passed up several opportunities, both at Itown Church and our home ministry Revel, either because I was embarrassed, didn’t feel like it was the right time, etc.

On day 9 during lunch at Training Camp, they announced that after Squad Wars there would be an opportunity to be baptized. They also said that we could be baptized by anyone we like, including leadership, team members, etc. I felt this stirring in my heart, that this was my chance. Where else would I want to be baptized, except in front of my new family who I am going to be doing intense life with for the next year? Even after 9 days, my squadmates knew more about me than some of my closest friends, so it didn’t feel scary to take this giant step of faith.

One of the things I am most excited about with the World Race is getting to experience it with RJ. He is my absolute best friend, and because we have been together since we were 16, we have truly grown up together. He has seen me at all stages of my life, and been a huge influence on me in my relationship with Christ. His faith and pure joy when worshipping Jesus is inspirational, and I don’t know how anyone can dispute the existence of God when they see/hear RJ engaging in worship. Therefore, when I decided to get baptized, I knew I wanted RJ to be the one to baptize me. He is my life partner, the one person who will be by my side until the end, and I knew he would take the role of baptizing me very seriously.

Surrounded by amazing squadmates, some of which also made the choice to be baptized, I couldn’t have asked for anything better. As the worship song says, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back!” I am NEVER turning back. This journey has been nothing like I thought, but it has led to so many wonderful things that I could have never even dreamed for myself. When we get out of the way and truly surrender ourselves to God’s will, amazing things follow.