"I have decided to follow Jesus." These were the words you would have heard coming across the waters and under the covered bridge leading into Milo Adventist Academy the brisk, sunny Sabbath afternoon of Family Weekend, as students, staff and family members encouraged Rodney Smith in his decision to give his life to Christ.
"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Carl Wilkens, Milo Academy pastor, read to Rodney from a well-known story in Acts about Paul and Silas.
Wilkens answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household" (Acts 16:30-31).
As Wilkens read these words, Rodney's face lit up with excitement and confidence. I later asked him what he felt, and he said, "I've had my ups and downs, and Christ was there, but it was at that moment that I knew who he really was to me, my big brother."
Smith has been raised a Seventh-day Adventist and has always had a relationship with Christ, but he decided that it was finally time to make his commitment public. "I am truly committed to Christ, and ever since I made that decision, I have wanted to understand Him more, and I have been studying on my own, which has made our relationship even stronger."
As Smith sang, "Though no one join me still I will follow," the words may have been the closing to his baptism, but they were also the first words of his new life with Jesus Christ.
Rodney Smith publicly gives his life to God in the South Umpqua River bordering the school campus.
Everyone is inspired as Carl Wilkens, Milo Academy pastor, speaks the word of God in preparation for the baptism.
