Indiana

Luke Kluesner was born into a Christian home, as were his parents. In time, however, his parents learned things from the Bible that countered the myths about God and religion they had believed all their lives. As they made their decision to be baptized and join the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Luke was opposed and let his feelings be known. He rejected their invitations and expressed no desire to either set foot inside their church or have anything to do with it.

After his parents were baptized and joined the Huntingburg Church, they continued to study the Bible with the head elder, Brian Wilson. One day Luke saw Brian coming to his parents' house and quickly made his escape down the street before Brian had a chance to talk to him. He did not want to talk to anyone about religion.

At other times Luke was present during their studies and occasionally asked questions while maintaining a distance and acting as if he was uninterested. He certainly made it clear that he did not want to join their church. Although he knew that what he was learning was better, he was not living what he believed and did not want to be associated with Adventists.

One day when Brian Wilson and Justin Childers, Huntingburg Church pastor, were visiting his parents, Luke surprised everyone by expressing an interest in Bible studies. His statement shocked everyone. The pastor responded, and soon he and Luke were studying the Prophecy of Hope Bible series. As Luke discovered the true God of Scripture and the power available to the believer through Jesus Christ, he was able to overcome a number of challenges in his life. His personal victories gave evidence to the working of God's Spirit in His life, and he eventually made his decision to be baptized. He became a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church on Sabbath, March 3.

"As his pastor," Justin stated with a sense of joy, "I have personally witnessed God working miracles in Luke's life, and it was a joy to baptize him. Today I continue to watch his faith grow in Jesus Christ."

Justin Childers, Huntingburg Church pastor, with Bruce Babienco, Lake Union Herald volunteer correspondent