On April 5th, Avery accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior during a youth ministry event. Watching her take this step of faith was humbling. It was also one of the most affirming moments we’ve experienced as Christian parents. Her decision wasn’t made lightly or suddenly. It reflected years of prayer and intentional discipleship. We’ve always made it a top priority to surround our family with a church community that shares our vision for raising Godly children.
A Weekend of Spiritual Growth
That weekend, our church hosted a youth event where kids stayed in host homes by age group. During the day, all gathered for games, worship, Bible lessons, and small group discussions. The weekend offered more than fun. It created space for deep spiritual growth. God’s presence was evident in a powerful way.
A Message That Touched Avery’s Heart
On Saturday evening, Tyler, our youth pastor, gave a message that deeply resonated with Avery. He asked the kids, “Who do you have seated at your table?” He challenged them to reflect on the people influencing their lives. To bring the message to life, Tyler brought his own table to the front. He was surrounded by friends, spiritual mentors, and ministry partners. They have all played a key role in his personal faith journey and leadership.
At the end of the message, Tyler invited students to close their eyes. He asked anyone who hadn’t been baptized to raise their hand. This was for those who truly felt ready and sensed God calling them to take that step.
Tears streamed down Avery’s face as she quietly raised her hand, her heart full of emotion. In that moment, we knew her decision wasn’t just a passing feeling, it was a powerful encounter with God. She wanted to declare her faith publicly and commit her life to Jesus.
Planning the Baptism: Thoughtful Decisions
Her youth leaders were incredibly proud of her, and so were her parents! We celebrated her decision with joyful tears and heartfelt encouragement. Avery had several meaningful conversations about salvation, both with us and with her church and small group leaders. It was important to us that she fully understood the significance of baptism. We wanted her to feel supported every step of the way.
Avery made thoughtful decisions as she planned her baptism. She chose one of her favorite leaders, Dalton, to baptize her. She also invited Pastor Tyler to be there. His lesson that evening had deeply impacted her. She wanted her daddy to stand beside the baptismal too. Every detail reflected her wish for a moment filled with spiritual leadership and family unity.
A Moment of Family Unity and Spiritual Leadership
On Sunday, April 27th, during the church service, Avery was baptized. Jack and I stood on stage with her, along with some of her closest friends. This group of girls has poured into her life and helped her grow in faith since we moved to Tennessee. Seeing that circle of support around her, both from family and her faith community, was overwhelming in the best way.
The Bigger Picture: Parenting with Purpose
For us as parents, this wasn’t just about Avery’s individual decision; it was also a confirmation of the choices we’ve made over the years:
- Choosing a church with strong, Gospel-centered youth pastors and leaders who pour into our kids
- Being intentional at home about discipleship, making faith a daily part of life, not just something reserved for Sundays
- We recognize that we are our children’s primary spiritual influence. Still, we also need a faith community. This community should reinforce and support what we are teaching at home.
Avery’s baptism reminded us that we can’t simply hope our children grow in faith. We must intentionally cultivate an environment where that growth is possible. We are deeply grateful for our church family. We appreciate Tyler and Dalton and the other leaders who invest in our kids. Most of all, we are thankful for God’s faithfulness in Avery’s life.
Our prayer is that her story encourages other parents. Stay faithful. Be intentional. Trust that God is working in your children’s hearts, even when you don’t see it yet.