Faces of Faith – Elijah

Elijah Adongo is a TELL student from Nairobi, Kenya. In March 2023, he attended a special TELL event in Nairobi. Some students had studied together online for years, but this was the first time seeing one another in-person. Baptism was the topic for the Bible study. In Africa, immersion is considered the only valid form of baptism in many churches, and infant Baptism rarely happens. “This is our belief and practice concerning Baptism because this was the mantle that was passed to us from others.” That’s the repeating theme I often hear. Gathered around a table and God’s Word, the Holy Spirit lifted that mantle and replaced it with a clear understanding of God’s gift of Baptism.

Two days later, Elijah invited me to his home where he asked if his four-year-old daughter could be baptized. After a devotion and assuring Mikayla that she wasn’t going to be immersed, the angels in heaven rejoiced as another precious child was brought into God’s family through Baptism. By God’s grace, Elijah continues his studies with TELL and shares what he has learned with others.

From Joel Hoff, TELL missionary in Africa