When you are on a "mission" for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an overriding primary goal is to bring souls to Jesus Christ. That relationship is between an individual and Jesus. It is important that a missionary show how to develop that relationship but to make certain that the missionary is not somehow acting as a go-between and gets in the way. Each person must decide for themselves to make such a serious commitment. It is a covenant or promise that you make with God and He in turn covenants or promises with you.
The two sister missionaries below are Sister Nakitende and Sister Jones. They have taught many and brought many people to Christ. When they asked Kephus whom he would like to have baptize him, he said he would like me to perform the baptism. I was honored.
This photo was taken just before the baptismal service began.
On the left is our Branch President, Anthony Mulenga, the Branch Mission Leader, Sianga Chizoka, Beaton, (also being baptized that day), Kephus, myself, Sister Nakitende and Sister Jones.
The commitment to be baptized begins with having faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Redeemer. This faith will naturally lead to repentance and a desire to change your life. The act of baptism is a commandment and follows the example of Jesus' baptism by being fully immersed in water. Such an act symbolizes a cleansing and rebirth. It represents the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the end of your old life and the beginning of a new life as a follower of Jesus Christ.
That is it. That is the gateway to eternal life. Sometimes folks will forget about the last part - in the scriptures it mentions the importance of "enduring to the end".
Having just endured another birthday, I am realizing that the enduring part just might be the hardest.
The best thing is as I read the scriptures and try my best, I realize that Jesus has taken up the parts I fall short in, and that knowledge brings REAL peace.
