Illinois — Oscar Ontiveros, a senior at Hinsdale Adventist Academy, grew up in Illinois. He attended an Adventist church and school until completing the fourth grade. After that year, he stopped attending his childhood church and enrolled in the public school system. This year he came back to Hinsdale Adventist Academy and had a life-changing experience.

During the annual Week of Prayer services conducted by Kent Nichols, a Hinsdale (Illinois) Church elder, Oscar responded to the compelling messages that spoke to his heart and soul. He surrendered his life to Christ because the Bible says, “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven” (Matt. 10:32 NIV).

Oscar was baptized by Hinsdale youth pastor, Kenneth Parker Jr., on May 29. By God’s grace, Oscar's goal is to be an example to others and he hopes to lead at least one person into the joy of serving Jesus Christ. How thankful we are for the benefits of Christian education, which is used by God to both educate our children and lead them into a new spiritual relationship and the promise of eternal life.

Kenneth Parker Jr., Hinsdale youth pastor, as told to Bruce Babienco, Lake Union Herald volunteer correspondent.