You Belong Outfitted in a white baptismal robe far too big for my 12-year-old, four-and-a-half-foot frame, I had no language for theology. But I knew I loved Jesus, and I sensed I was stepping into something life changing. Something holy. Being dipped into the small pool by the pastor, trying not to breathe through my nose, feeling enveloped by the water, hearing only muffled sounds . . . This was baptism by immersion, and for a split second, it felt as if it was just me and Jesus beneath the surface. Just as quickly, I emerged to a chorus of “Amen!” and “Praise the Lord!” Soon after, I—a new creation—changed into my new dress. It felt like Easter! Pink on the top and gray on the bottom, gathered at the waist with a gray-and-white-striped sash that tied into a big bow in the back, my dress was paired with my first one-inch heels, also pink. Unmistakable 1980s fashion. My dripping hair clung to my neck, and I was so embarrassed I didn’t have time to dry and style it again. You just didn’t go out with wet hair in my Southern household. But today was an exception. The shoulders of my dress were damp when I returned to the pews, and I eagerly awaited the sermon’s end. That day I received a Bible embossed with my name, its silver-edged pages stiff and new. I held it carefully, proud of my choice. In the receiving line after church, parishioners stacked cards, bookmarks, and stickers on top of my Bible—small tokens that confirmed a greater calling. With a seriousness I entered the world with (according to my mother, I was born 30), I understood I was a member of God’s kingdom. I belonged. I belonged! Even now, decades later, I tear up when I witness a baptism because I remember how deeply vulnerable it is to step into the baptismal pool, to name hope aloud, to declare belief with your very own body. If you haven’t made that choice yet, know this: you belong too. And the water is warmer than you expect. Tanya R. Cochran teaches English and Communication at Union Adventist University in Lincoln, Nebraska. When she isn’t in the classroom with her beloved students, she’s on her sofa with a book in her hands and one of two cats in her lap. Tanya’s Life Journey Tip: When packing to hit the road, be sure to include patience and prayer. Travel—and life—rarely go as planned, but with a little longsuffering in your back pocket and Jesus by your side, you’re certain to savor the journey.   Double Dipping The first time I asked to be baptized was primarily to gain access to the thin wheat wafer and gulp of grape juice at Communion service. I’d watched the adults and teens enjoy that little snack, and I wanted in. So at age 12 I joined the other juniors in doctrinal classes at the Mountain View Seventh-day Adventist Church in California. The beliefs made sense, and I had no problem with them. After all, I was a pastor’s kid, so the lessons didn’t reveal anything particularly new or disturbing. So I added my name to the list of baptismal candidates. My father got to dunk me, and the smile on his face made the moment memorable. I think it meant more to him than it did to me. But I had this odd thought that maybe it would be good to die stepping out of the stone baptismal font because I’d be clean and sin-free . . . for a second. I recognized I wouldn’t be able to stay that way for long. The second time I was baptized was about 25 years later. My husband and I accompanied my parents on a trip to Israel. We made a stop at Yardenit, a Christian pilgrimage site beside the Jordan River. We wanted to see where Jesus was baptized—if not the exact spot, at least the body of water He went under. Visitors, some wearing white robes, some in shorts and T-shirts, waded into the murky water and took turns submerging each other. All down the river, people rose out of the stream with smiles on their faces and tears in their eyes. Hymns sung in various languages drifted across the muggy air: “Amazing Grace,” “Jesus Paid It All,” “In Christ Alone.” I turned to my dad. “Will you baptize me again?” I asked. “Me too,” my mom chimed in. So the three of us stepped into the natural pool. My father lowered me backward into the water, then brought me up. This time I relished the experience: tiny fish nipping my legs, ancient olive trees shading the bank, believers from all over the world worshipping Jesus and committing their lives to Him. As I regained footing and wiped droplets from my face, I realized I stood in the same mud Jesus had. I stood in the power of Christ alone. My dad had that same glowing smile on his face, and this time so did I. Lori Peckham teaches writing courses at Union Adventist University, as well as writes and edits stories, articles, scripts, and books, including Guide’s Greatest story collections. Lori’s Life Journey Tip: Sometimes it takes leaving what’s comfortable and familiar to experience greater joys and blessings.  

More than 100 students and staff from Adventist schools across the Dakota Conference gathered last September at Flag Mountain Camp in Hill City, South Dakota, for the annual Dakota Outdoor School. Centered on the theme “God Is Our Rock,” the four-day event combined outdoor learning, spiritual growth, and fellowship among students who rarely have opportunities to be together. Because Adventist schools in the Dakotas are spread across a wide geographic area, Outdoor School provides a unique chance for students to build friendships and experience learning together. Eighth grader Teddy Ray from Brentwood Adventist Christian School captured the spirit of the event, sharing that his favorite part was “spending time with all the other students.” His classmate Nikkita Miller, a second grader, agreed, saying simply, “I made new friends at camp.” Students arrived Monday afternoon and settled into cabins before gathering for supper and evening worship. Familiar camp songs quickly brought the group together, many of whom had previously attended summer programs at one of our two Dakota Adventist Camps. Students from Rapid City Adventist School eagerly jumped out of vehicles to play Gaga ball and other games while waiting for the rest of the group to arrive, setting a tone of excitement for the days ahead. Tuesday took students beyond camp for a day of field study in the Black Hills. The group visited the Crazy Horse Memorial and the Indian Museum of North America, where they learned about perseverance and the ongoing work of carving the massive monument from rock. Later, students traveled to Mount Rushmore, eating lunch with the famous monument in view before exploring the museum exhibits, speaking with park rangers, and earning Junior Ranger badges. For many students, the field trips were a highlight. Clara Rittenbach from Brentwood said seeing Mount Rushmore in person was “really cool.” Hillcrest School student Kierran also enjoyed the visit, adding that the hike and even a stop for ice cream made the day memorable. Another Hillcrest student, Aesha, said her favorite part of Outdoor School was simply spending time with friends and having fun together. Wednesday’s schedule brought students back to camp for a series of hands-on learning sessions led by teachers from Dakota Adventist schools. In “Petrology: Rock On!” students studied different types of rocks found in the region. Another class invited students to create clay monuments while reflecting on how people remember significant events in history. A rock-painting class explored biblical stories involving stones, while a bridge-building class challenged students to design structures strong enough to hold weight. Each activity pointed students back to the central theme of trusting God as their firm foundation. Invitation Hill Adventist School students added their own contribution by teaching the group a Scripture song based on Matt. 7:24–25, reminding everyone of the wise builder who built his house upon the rock. The song quickly became a favorite as students gathered for worship throughout the week. Fifth grader Ivy Red Feather from Rapid City Adventist School said the clay monument project was one of her favorite activities. “Every single part of Outdoor School was fun,” she said. “I can’t wait to come back next year.” Other students appreciated practical comforts as well. Brentwood student Dominic Thingvold noted that having showers in the cabins meant they didn’t have to face the cold mornings outside. For Prairie Voyager Adventist School students, the experience also became a lesson in gratitude. After returning home, they wrote personal letters of thanks to the conference education superintendent who organized the event, expressing appreciation for the time, care and effort invested in making the program possible. Daily worships were led by Dakota Conference pastors, with music and evening recreation provided by Dakota Adventist Camps director, Ted Struntz, and some summer staff who enthusiastically volunteered to help. Teachers, pastors, parents and medical volunteers worked together throughout the week to create a safe and meaningful experience for students. By Thursday morning, cabins were packed and students began the journey home, exchanging hugs and already talking about returning next year. For many, Outdoor School had become more than a field trip—it was a reminder that they are part of a larger Adventist community built on the solid foundation of faith. Lynnette Struntz serves as education superintendent and associate youth director for the Dakota Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

May in Lincoln , Nebraska, means the trees are green, and the winds are strong. When Union College (now Union Adventist University) was founded in 1891, the original survey told of a few cottonwood saplings and a hedge of locust bushes. Now some of those locusts are among the oldest trees in Lincoln, and our cottonwoods are so tall you can barely see the clock tower through the leaves in summer. But sadly, Nebraska’s wind does not slow down for the elderly. Over the last several years, Union has lost several trees to violent wind storms, including two cedars ripped out by the roots. However, the campus has added even more new trees thanks to generous donations from alumni and the State of Nebraska. In the last four years, 31 trees have been planted on campus. Three were part of the gift of the Class of 2022, 20 were given by the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum as part of their “10 Free Trees” initiative over two years, four were purchased by the university, and four were given in memory of Carter Trumble, a 2024 graduate who passed away last summer. The new trees include Kentucky coffee trees, pecans, sycamores, four species of oak, two species of maple and two new disease and cold-resistant elm cultivars. With the exception of the coffee trees, most of the species planted are favorite food sources for squirrels, ensuring a comfortable home for future generations of the campus’ treasured four-legged residents.  The university campus doubles as the Joshua C. Turner Arboretum, named for the grounds director from 1948-1969, and it is part of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. Last summer, Mark Ratzlaff, Union’s grounds assistant, and his student worker, Katelyn Page, paid homage to Turner’s legacy by conducting a survey of the trees on campus to add to the Nebraska Forest Service’s online inventory. Not including the College View Church, College View Academy and athletic fields, they mapped 455 trees representing 74 species. You can find the inventory online at https://pg-cloud.com/Nebraska/ then search for “Union College.”  “There’s a reason every university wants pictures of students studying under spreading branches in their brochures,” said Yami Bazan, university president. “Trees are a vital part of student life. They clean our air, quiet the city noise, and provide cooling shade. I’m so grateful to the alumni, Nebraska Forest Service and Union’s Plant Services staff who care for this beautiful arboretum we call our campus.”

“I honestly don’t think I would be alive right now if I hadn’t found Jesus.” At 39 years old, Darnell Okra had stage four kidney disease, a fractured marriage, and little reason to hope as he sat in a jail cell. That’s when he opened a Bible.   Three years ago, Darnell and his wife, Anna, began searching for what they believed to be the one true church. “Satan was trying to sift us like wheat,” said Darnell. “And he was trying to keep us from learning about the Adventist faith.”   At first, they visited Catholic, Mormon, Baptist, and Pentecostal churches, but none of them felt right. Then they were invited to an Adventist church. Worshipping on Saturday felt strange. No other church they had attended met on that day. Still, Darnell decided to give it a try.   After that first church service, Darnell began attending Bible studies on Thursday nights, though he rarely went to church on Saturday. He was overwhelmed by stage four kidney disease, had gout in his hands, wrists, and feet, and was trapped in active addiction. He was exhausted. “I was in pain, in addiction and angry at myself all the time,” he shared. “I wasn’t being obedient to the Lord, so I know I wasn’t treating Anna right.”  When pain goes unaddressed, it spills over.  One day, an argument with Anna escalated. A neighbor called the police, and Darnell was taken to jail, where he remained for 45 days on a $200 bond. During that time, there were no letters or phone calls between them. Believing his life was over, Darnell turned to God again.   “I prayed to the Lord. I said, Lord, I don’t know how You’re going to fix me. I don’t know how You’re going to fix my marriage, but it seems like every single thing that I want to do, I can’t ever do.”   Each Wednesday, someone would come to the jail to lead Bible studies. Each prisoner was given a Bible during the meeting, then asked to return it afterward. One day, Darnell didn’t.   “I don’t know if it was the convict mentality inside of me or what,” he said, “but I took the Bible, put it in the waistline of the jail jumpsuit.” Darnell gestured to his thigh, recalling how he slid the Bible under his pants. The instructor, thinking he didn’t have one, gave him another. When it came time to turn the Bibles in, he returned one, but casually walked back to his cell with the other.   From that day on, Darnell read that Bible daily. Slowly, it changed him. Some of Darnell’s cellmates couldn’t read or write, and he found the Lord helping through him, unaware that God was working behind the scenes on his own case.   When Darnell was released, he connected with Bible worker Christian Hunt, who introduced him to Pastor Bailey Schmidt and Corey Meidell. Together, these three took Darnell under their wings and helped him rebuild his life. At the time Darnell was homeless, sick with kidney disease, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis, and unsure of what to do next.   Christian and Bailey set him up on a new health plan. He stopped eating meat and, as he put it, switched to “all greens.” Gradually, his kidney function improved from 18 to 24 percent. Corey took him out into nature to hike and bike together. At the same time, Darnell became deeply involved in church life, attending services and groups six days a week. His life turned around. He had been sober for six months and had moved from Oklahoma to California to begin a treatment program.   Around this time, Anna contacted him. She remained in Oklahoma, stuck in the same exhausting cycle of drugs and alcohol, day after day. “I reached out to him,” Anna said, “and I said, I know you’re out in California—maybe I could go too.”   From that day forward, she knew her prayers had been answered and that she could finally join him and he could be the leading husband that she could follow. Rebuilding their marriage wasn’t easy, but both credit Jesus for guiding their healing.  Healing rarely happens alone; it often begins with a brave step forward, together.  For the past three years, Darnell and Anna longed to be baptized, yet something always seemed to interfere. Each time they prepared, their treatment program relocated them, forcing them to start over at a different Adventist church, with a new Bible worker and a new baptism study.   Finally, last November, nine months after they moved to Lincoln and began attending Piedmont Park SDA Church, their baptism seemed possible.   However, even then, obstacles arose. Around the time they were talking about baptism, they were asked to leave their home after being falsely accused of smoking in their apartment. They were given 60 days to vacate. Darnell told Pastor Smerdis, the associate youth pastor at Piedmont Park, that they’d have to postpone the baptism.    Weeks passed, and the frustration returned. On Friday, November 21, Darnell made a decision. “I was like, we’re getting asked to leave because of something we didn’t do. We don’t smoke. So I told the pastors, I said, now I don’t care what’s going on. I have faith in Jesus. I said, we’re getting dipped November 22.”  Although Pastor Smerdis wasn’t sure arrangements could be made so quickly, Pastor Halfhill, the lead pastor, texted Darnell that night: We’re going to do this tomorrow.  Standing by the water on Sabbath morning in church was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating for Darnell and Anna. He was worried about not being accepted because of their past, but this doubt was quickly erased when their church family welcomed them with open arms.  For some, baptism is a ceremony. For Darnell, it was a line drawn between who he was and who Jesus was calling him to be.   Darnell and Anna Okra praying and rejoicing with Pastor Smerdis and their church family at Piedmont Park Church.   Darnell’s early life was marked by instability. He grew up in a home where drinking, drugs, cussing, pornography, and physical abuse were the norm. Loving his neighbor wasn’t in his rulebook. God and church were absent from his childhood, and he saw things no 10-year-old should ever see. But now with Christ, life looks very different and is the complete opposite of what he was taught growing up.    At one time, Darnell’s mornings were loaded with drugs, alcohol, and conflict. They are now <a class="cat-post-excerpt-more" href="https://www.outlookmag.org/dipped-and-devoted/" title="Continue reading Dipped and Devoted When rock bottom became holy ground“>Read more…