Students Commit to Baptism During Religion Class
News
Sixteen students at Southern Adventist University requested baptism after their professor,
David Hartman, DMin, gave a heartfelt appeal to his Christian Beliefs class.
“I praise God for this!” Hartman said. “This doesn’t happen by accident. I print out
thumbnail pictures of the students and pray for them by name throughout the semester.
I ask God to use the classroom as a crucible for change. On the day of an appeal,
I pray earnestly for God to move hearts, and He does! Every semester there are students
who resolve to follow Christ and be baptized.”
Hartman accepted Jesus as his Savior 40 years ago while studying at Southern. Now,
as a professor in the university’s School of Religion, his mission is to help a new
generation of young people do the same. His Christian Beliefs course covers the 28
Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church with their scriptural support.
During the class discussion on baptism, he distributes response cards and asks each
student to consider starting a new life with Christ.
This semester, eight students responded with a desire for baptism and eight others
for rebaptism. Over the next few weeks, Hartman met with the 16 individuals to facilitate
their journeys toward spiritual renewal.
“There were many times during Christian Beliefs class when I was reminded of God’s
power, how much He loves me, and how He has always drawn me to Him,” said Lia Narikawa,
a sophomore health science major who plans to be baptized. “Those reminders made me
want to fully give my heart to Jesus.”
The views and opinions of campus guests do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Southern Adventist University. An individual's or group's invitation to speak or present on campus should not be regarded as a university endorsement of their philosophies and beliefs.
