A Week of Discipleship— and Seven Unexpected Baptisms

Sometimes God works in ways no one plans.

When one of our recent mission teams arrived in India, they chose to spend the week differently than in years past. Instead of leading a traditional children's camp, they gathered with the older students for a week dedicated to discipleship.

Together, they stepped away from the routines of everyday life and spent the week at a retreat center, creating space to slow down, ask honest questions and study Scripture together.

Each day centered on God's Word. The students explored who God is, humanity's purpose, the reality of sin, God's plan of redemption through Jesus Christ and what it means to follow Him faithfully. Mornings and evenings also included quiet personal time in Proverbs and Psalms, allowing each student to spend time alone with the Lord before coming together again.

Throughout the week, conversations grew deeper.

Several young women shared that while they had long believed in God, they had been carrying questions about faith and commitment. As they listened to Scripture, prayed together and talked through those questions, God continued the work He had already begun in their hearts.

Then, something unexpected happened.

Seeing the retreat center's swimming pool, the students asked if they could be baptized.

No one had planned for it.

By the end of the week, seven young people publicly professed their faith through baptism.

It was a beautiful reminder that while we can prepare lessons, organize retreats and faithfully teach God's Word, only the Holy Spirit changes hearts. The baptisms were not the result of a single week, but part of a much longer story of God's faithfulness through years of discipleship, care and relationship.

As the team returned home, they carried with them memories of thoughtful conversations, heartfelt prayers, joyful worship and the privilege of watching God work in ways no one could have anticipated.

Please continue praying for these seven young believers as they grow in faith, and for all of the students who attended the retreat— that the seeds planted throughout the week would continue to bear fruit for years to come.