Five young adults stand before familiar faces as their Pastor asks questions about their faith. It’s a Sunday in Monterrey, Mexico, and a baptism is about to occur. Once each teen affirms their desire for baptism in front of their loved ones, each is allowed to share why they’re taking this important step.
One young man, who has been within Back2Back programming since he was five-years old, held the microphone with confidence, looking out at the safe adults who helped him arrive at this moment. “I want to be baptized to fulfill the Biblical mandate,” he stated clearly. “Also, if Jesus was willing to obey His father and be baptized, why wouldn’t we?”
Loved ones clapped in support, and everyone moved outside to where the pool was.
Jorge* has gone to church every Sunday since moving into a Back2Back-parntering children’s home. He has spent his life hearing the Gospel and received consistent financial, emotional, social, and spiritual support from his sponsors, mentors, and the safe adults who helped raise him. As he’s grown, he’s learned right from wrong; he understands he, along with everyone around him, will have trials, but there is grace. At 15 years old, Jorge is learning wisdom and knows he will fail, because he is human, but deep down, his God is trustworthy and loves him fully.
Among those present at his baptism was his mentor, who had known and loved the young man since he was eight years old. “I wanted to make sure he truly understood what being baptized meant,” she explained. “I wanted to know if this was fully his choice or something he felt he needed to do, and when the day came, I had no questions left after listening to him speak.” His mentor, along with his peers and loved ones, knew immediately he was serious and that the seeds planted had fallen on good soil.
Jorge entered the cold water with his Hope House dad on one side and his church leader on the other. With their strong hands on his shoulders, they prayed over the young man and all he would become as a follower of Jesus, then splash! Jorge broke the surface of the water, was baptized, and committed to a life walking alongside God. He was wet and cold, but his smile of joy held nothing but warmth. This is hope.
