The Transformation of Baptism
Dear Holy Cross Community,
It has been my pleasure during the last five months to serve as the Shepherd of School. I have greatly enjoyed leading the first through eighth grade students in worship on a more regular basis. I have greatly enjoyed attending and participating in preschool and Kindergarten worship services. My greatest joy, however, has been a return to the classroom and having the opportunity to teach the Christian faith to our students, especially the ones in middle school. Faithful Christian teaching is tremendously needed at all ages. I am thankful for the foundations that are laid in the early childhood and early elementary years by our fantastic teachers.
For students entering their teenage years, matters of the Christian faith are not without difficulties and challenges though. I know for certain that there are students that are struggling with the truths of Christianity. They tell me about how there are so many different, competing belief systems that are out there. Not only that, but even in Christianity, there are so many different ways to read the Bible. It can all be so confusing at times! Nevertheless we hold fast to our confession, we answer questions with gentleness and respect, we pray for our students regularly, and we entrust them to the Lord's perfect care.
I find it especially encouraging to witness the transformation of students that are new to Holy Cross. For some of them, this is the first time that they have been exposed to the Biblical narratives at a parochial school. To see them hungering to read the words of Scripture out loud with their classmates and to see their eyes light up with wonderment is truly a sight to behold! Listed below are some student quotes about baptism given to me that stand out during the fall semester.
~ Jacob Koehler, Shepherd of School
“I wanted to be baptized because the topic was brought up repeatedly in the classroom. After I was baptized I was filled with inexpressible joy!”
“I wanted to be baptized because that is the way that God makes Christians! I am so thankful that in Baptism God has drawn me nearer to Him.”