Christ in Me

Haleigh Avila and Parker Raile are best friends and juniors in high school. They attend IGNITE at Pathway.

Haleigh attended the high school MOVE conference last year, but was unsure about taking a next step. She felt convicted to invite her friend Parker to go with her this year. After a few preliminary visits to IGNITE, Parker was ready to go!

MOVE, in Durango, Colorado, is a week of no sleep, white water rafting, hiking, undivided focus on God, and “developing friendships you can’t get anywhere else.” Parker gave her heart to Christ at MOVE on June 17, and she wanted Haleigh to be the one that baptized her. Parker says, “I am where I am in Christ because of her and I wanted her to be part of my next step.”

Haleigh, not yet baptized, figured she “had been here long enough and was ready for that next step of faith.” Despite being uncomfortable with attention, Haleigh decided it was the right thing to do. She asked Greg Carr, her small group leader, to baptize her because she wanted “someone who would help me keep growing.”

Both girls say being baptized was the most exciting, cleansing, refreshing, overwhelming experience of their lives. Despite being nervous, it was all they could think about in service that morning. After Greg baptized Haleigh, she in turn baptized Parker, while their friends from IGNITE stood right up front, cheering them on! Parker said it was overwhelming when total strangers hugged her with heartfelt love and acceptance.

When asked if either of them was nervous about their appearance, the 16 year olds laughed and said, “It’s worth it! You are publicly declaring a new start; your motivation to be your best for Him, raccoon eyes and all!” Haleigh explained, “When I was born, I didn’t care WHAT I looked like…no one did! We were reborn again. This is for God…It doesn’t matter!”

Now Parker proudly proclaims, “Sunday night IGNITE is my favorite day of the week. People who are on the same page surround me; can help me make decisions. We have the best discussions.”

As their next step in fully devoting themselves to Jesus, Haleigh and Parker are looking forward to participating in a mission trip over Spring Break next year with their high school small group!

By Diane Gruette | Photo by Jim Oertle