Neighbor's Witness Results in Baptism The Yoncalla Church had a reason to be joyful when 13-year-old Samantha Hill, known to them as Sammy, was baptized on May 14. Sammy comes from a non-Christian home, but her neighbors, Delbert and Verna Dickey (now deceased), started taking her to Sabbath School when she was very young. She went to their house on Sabbath mornings to eat breakfast with them and accompanied them to church. She endeared herself to all of the members and often brought a friend. When Yoncalla’s new pastor, Len Tatom, moved to the area, Sammy told him that she wanted to be baptized. Plans were made for the baptism to take place in a pond on a ranch owned by Dave and Mary Johnston. Dave had to cut a path through the tall grass along a meandering stream to the pond. Rain was predicted and it rained on Friday night, but God answered our prayers and gave us a beautiful day. About 40 people, including Sammy’s father, mother and stepfather, walked the trail to the pond to witness her baptism. That evening, a light supper and reception was held in her honor with gifts to help in her Christian walk.
Neighbor's Witness Results in Baptism
The Yoncalla Church had a reason to be joyful when 13-year-old Samantha Hill, known to them as Sammy, was baptized on May 14.
Sammy comes from a non-Christian home, but her neighbors, Delbert and Verna Dickey (now deceased), started taking her to Sabbath School when she was very young. She went to their house on Sabbath mornings to eat breakfast with them and accompanied them to church. She endeared herself to all of the members and often brought a friend.
When Yoncalla’s new pastor, Len Tatom, moved to the area, Sammy told him that she wanted to be baptized. Plans were made for the baptism to take place in a pond on a ranch owned by Dave and Mary Johnston. Dave had to cut a path through the tall grass along a meandering stream to the pond. Rain was predicted and it rained on Friday night, but God answered our prayers and gave us a beautiful day.
About 40 people, including Sammy’s father, mother and stepfather, walked the trail to the pond to witness her baptism. That evening, a light supper and reception was held in her honor with gifts to help in her Christian walk.
Samantha Hill was baptized by Len Tatom, Yoncalla Church pastor, in Dave and Mary Johnstons pond near Yoncalla on May 14. (Nancy Hawks.)
