Illinois

To some people, my decision to get baptized when I (Leigh Cunningham) did seemed sudden. But baptism was something I had been thinking about for about three years. When asked if I wanted to be a part of the baptismal group on October 20, my decision was surprisingly easy. I knew I was finally ready.

I grew up attending the Burr Ridge Seventh-day Adventist Church where everyone was always supportive of me in everything I did, even though I was often the only child my age there. That support has always meant a lot to me. However, the biggest outside influence on my decision to get baptized was my school, Hinsdale Adventist Academy, where I have been a student since pre-school. Every quarter the school holds a special week of prayer. That is where a guest speaker, or student or staff member, would come in and present daily sermons. Through some of those sessions, God had really tugged at my heart. Another way I had felt His leading was through various religious youth trips such as Bible Camp, Prayer Conference and Leadership Conference. Also, sometimes we would have deep discussions in class about world trends.

I had taken baptismal classes before, but didn't complete the classes because of how busy I was at the time. I sometimes think of that as a good thing in the sense that I wasn't ready to commit as much as I am now. I wasn't even so sure that I was ready when I began the first time. Right now, as I continue to take classes, I have a different view. The reason for this is that my pastor explained that my baptism was really the start of my spiritual journey, and he asked me if I would like to be a part of his special introductory Bible class. I know that I will be studying and learning and growing spiritually for the rest of my life.

Leigh Cunningham, Burr Ridge Church member