It is with great joy we share this story with you about an eight-year-old girl’s recent profession of faith in Jesus Christ through baptism.
On a sunny afternoon, friends and family gathered at Harrisburg Christian Church in Harrisburg, Missouri to celebrate Emily’s* decision to follow Christ. Home Parents Josh and Brittany McCaskey said Emily began to show an interest in baptism after her older brother got baptized in the fall of 2018.
“She had asked questions then, but we did not feel like she was ready,” Brittany said.
Over the summer of 2019, the family attended a Kansas City Royals baseball game. Each year, the Royals host “Faith & Family Night”, with a post-game program that includes speakers and a Christian band.
“After one speaker, there was an alter call and Emily wanted to go,” Brittany said. “We asked her if she knew what it meant and she said yes. I could tell she was in tune with what was happening and the Holy Spirit was at work! She went and got a book about what it means to be a Christian and first steps. She held onto the book and read it. She started to read the Bible on her own and asked great questions!”
After more intentional conversations at home, Emily made the decision to be baptized by Brittany in February. Emily has been in the Petersheim home for a year and a half, so a strong bond has been formed between she and the McCaskeys.
“To be able to baptize a child who has been with us for 18 months is a dream come true,” Brittany said. “I was honored to be the person she asked to baptize her. I was one proud momma!”
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
-Galatians 3:26-27, New International Version
Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries provides Christian foster homes, and therefore puts a strong focus on spreading the love of Jesus to their children. Each week, we are hearing from more and more children in the homes that they would like to be baptized. Many exciting, intentional conversations are happening each day.
This is certainly an area of the ministry our supporters can pray for – pray for wisdom for Home Parents to share the gospel well, and pray that the message of Christ would fall well upon the little hearts and minds of our children.
The McCaskeys are confident Emily has a bright future as she continues to grow in her faith.
“I’m so thankful God is using us as a vessel to lead her,” Brittany said. “She is going to be a strong and mighty leader. I continue to pray that she grows in her faith and can witness to others to grow the kingdom.”
*name changed for sake of confidentiality
