Let me take you on a journey, about a very special time in my life. You see, I was baptized the same day I was saved. Those who know me well, may remember that when I was younger, I was one of the shyest kids you’d ever meet. To this day, I still get socially anxious when speaking in public. You may think that's crazy coming from one of the Youth Leaders, however, I force myself to do uncomfortable actions because it’s what Jesus would do and I have a higher calling to do so when needed to.

So, here I was, 7 years old and I shyly approach my dad about accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Then, suddenly, people came busting through the front door (because, for some reason, our house was always the place to be). So, what do I naturally do? HIDE! I went and hid behind the couch. My dad was fully understanding of my condition, but at the same time, he was fully aware of how important this conversation was. He grabs a blanket and quickly creates a fort behind the couch. Inside our little fort, he explains to me what getting saved means and that it is a decision that only I can make, but it will be the most important decision of my life.

At 7 years old, my most important decisions were Mike Tyson Punch-Out or Legend of Zelda! Yet, at that young age, I still felt the importance of what my dad was saying within my heart. He asked me, "Do you believe and accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? And I said "YES". So, we pray for my eternal soul; and right there, behind that couch in our measly little fort, I was freed from the shackles of sin!

But the conversation didn’t end there; I had so many questions! Those questions eventually led to baptism. I told my dad that I just didn’t know how I could get up in front of everyone to be baptized. Now dad, with a smile on his face, said…”just wait right here”. Those pesky people were still at the house, so of course I’m not going anywhere. During the time that I waited, dad had called Pastor Mitchell Burch.

On a Saturday afternoon, Pastor Burch dropped everything he was doing to come to my house because I was curious about baptism. While Pastor Burch was on his way to the house, dad had kindly asked our company to leave for just a bit. Now, I was never shy around Pastor Burch; I was around his son Andrew so much that he was kind of like a second father.

When Pastor Burch came through the door, he told me to go put on some swim trunks and run some water in the bath. I bet that some of you can see where this is going, but me, as a 7-year-old kid, I was confused! Was I going swimming in my bathtub? How was this going to work and why would I even do that? But he’s my pastor, he’s like a second father, and I do what I’m told.

He asks me to get in the water; while my dad, mom, and sister were all standing at the doorway watching. Pastor Burch says, “Have you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Will you obey and serve Him as your King for the rest of your life?”…and I smiled one of the biggest smiles I ever had and exclaimed, “YES!” He said, "Stevie, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." He dunked my head under the water and right there, in my measly little bathtub, my sins were washed away!

My story is just a reminder that Christianity doesn’t have to be flashy. It’s a central theme in many theological perspectives, emphasizing that true faith is often found in quiet, humble, and sincere actions rather than public spectacles. Jesus often warned against performing good works to be seen by others. True devotion is considered to be inward and sincere, not designed for public applause. In a world filled with distractions, a simple, focused, and authentic faith can be more powerful than a complex or "produced" experience.

This approach suggests that a quiet faith is not only valid but often closer to the original, humble nature of the gospel. I’m here to tell you that there is nothing “produced” in our church and I am proud to be a part of it! None of the men and women who got baptized this weekend did it for anyone other than themselves.

We, as the audience, were merely fortunate enough to experience it with them. I could tell from their reactions afterward that they were sincere. Evan came out saying that “he felt different; lighter”. I told him it was because he was now free. We hugged and it was a beautiful moment that I was fortunate enough to experience with him! But, make no mistake, that was Evan and God’s moment! Our boys were excited afterward too, a little cold, but excited. They had so many questions and we were more than happy to answer them as best we could.

The work isn’t done yet my brothers and sisters, nor will it ever be. Not until our race is finished. If we just keep doing what we’re doing, and continue to trust in God’s Plan, I have faith that He will take care of the rest!

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” - 1 Corinthians 15:58

God Bless,

-Stevie Taylor