WIU senior baptizes fellow students in Jesus’ Name
Victor Aghadi, Jr., a senior at Western Illinois University in Macomb, completed his college education with something far better than a degree. On May 2, eight days before graduating with a bachelor’s of science in biology, Victor baptized three fellow students in Jesus’ Name. Twenty-nine people were present for the event, including the immediate families of two young men who were baptized.
Following his baptism, 18 year-old freshman Trevor Whalen of Chillicothe, IL, excitedly and repeatedly proclaimed, “This feels so good! This feels so good!”
Baptizing his friends was a moment of triumph for Victor, who persevered through intense peer pressure after arriving at WIU in August 2005. WIU has a well-deserved reputation as one of the premiere “party” universities in the US, and when Victor first came to Macomb, he was immediately bombarded with invitations to join the fun. In spite of his outward resolve, Victor admitted the invitations were tempting, especially since he had participated in that lifestyle back in his native Nigeria. His life had been changed, however, when he received the Holy Ghost at Bartlett United Pentecostal Church in suburban Chicago.
Victor stood strong, and soon his outgoing personality and love for Christ were influencing his friends. He brought many fellow students to church and involved them in Bible studies. He also joined Campus Students for Christ (CSC), a nationwide non-denominational ministry to college students, and eventually moved into CSC’s student house, where he became a recognized student leader.
Working with CSC gave Victor many opportunities for ministry, including the chance to speak during Sunday worship services, lead a small group Bible study, and preach at men’s outings. Victor gained great favor with CSC’s leadership, so much that they even discussed the possibility of bringing him on staff after he graduated.
Living at the student house also gave Victor a chance to share the Acts 2:38 message one-on-one with fellow students. During the Spring 2008 semester, Victor taught Trevor, a fellow CSC member, the 12–week Bible study Exploring God’s Word.
Near the conclusion of the study, Trevor asked Victor to baptize him in Jesus’ Name.
Word of the upcoming baptism spread through CSC, prompting another of Victor’s friends, 20 year-old sophomore Holly Swanson of Algonquin, IL, to ask if she too could be baptized. When Trevor’s boyhood friend from Chillicothe, 20 year-old sophomore Caleb Johnson, also heard about Trevor, he told Victor that he too wanted to be baptized. Victor then taught Caleb and Holly the Bible study A Place Prepared for You to explain to them the significance of baptism as part of the plan of salvation.
Macomb’s Maple Avenue Christian Church graciously agreed to let Victor use their facilities early on Friday evening. When the time came, many CSC students gathered at the church, along with Trevor and Caleb’s families who drove in to see their sons baptized.
Victor used the occasion to conduct a brief Bible study. Four of his fellow students read Scriptures pertaining to baptism, and then students and family members laid their hands on Trevor, Caleb and Holly and prayed for God’s blessing on their lives.
The candidates then presented themselves for baptism. The water was very cold, sucking away Victor’s breath when he first stepped in. Once the initial shock wore off, he proclaimed the name of Jesus Christ over each student as he took them under the water and brought them back up. The service concluded with students singing worship songs a capella, rejoicing over what had just happened.
CSC later presented the three newly baptized students each with a baptismal certificate. The certificate included a blank line where they could write their name, followed by the words, “was baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Victor took all three certificates, crossed off the three titles, and wrote “in the Name of Jesus Christ” in their place.
Victor’s story is a testimony to what can happen when a young man has passion for God. Hopefully his example can inspire others to bloom where they are planted. Revival is possible no matter where we’re at. Thank you, Victor, for showing us the way.
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Anonymous on June 3rd, 2008
What a tremendous man of God you have become JR! This testimony will be read with every detail in church if I have anything to do with it. Every teenager needs a fire in their belly like the one Victor has and continues to have!!