A Double Joy
If you have ever held a newborn in your arms, you know that few moments in life can match it. Yet the Bible tells us there is one moment that does — the moment a soul is born again. Heaven itself rejoices.
Recently, I experienced two such moments in a single church service.
Anita, my own biological daughter, and David, a student in our Youth Transition Program (one of what I call my 99 adopted children), both stepped forward to declare their faith in Christ and were baptized in water — on the same blessed day, at Good News Church. Standing there, watching these two young people I have loved and prayed over for so many years go under those waters and rise again, I was undone. Tears of gratitude, joy, and hope for the future welled up in ways I could not contain.
As a father, I have invested years into Anita’s life. As a minister, I have invested the same into David’s — and into so many young people like him who come to us through the Youth Transition Program searching for belonging, purpose, and truth. What was witnessed in that baptismal water was not just a moment. It was the fruit of years of faithful sowing — meals served, conversations held, prayers prayed, and love given consistently, even when results were invisible.
And here is what I want you to know: you were part of what God used to lead them to that baptism.
Every gift you have sown into Bread of Life, every prayer you have offered on our behalf, every act of faithful partnership — it was all there. Romans 2:4 reminds us that “the goodness of God leads people to repentance.” You have been vessels of that goodness. Through your support, we have been privileged to show God’s love to hurting young people — nurturing their bodies, minds, and souls — and today we get to celebrate together what God has grown.
What was witnessed on that day is one of many spiritual fruits still to come. The harvest is not finished. There are more Anitas and more Davids waiting — young people on the edge of transformation who simply need someone to believe in them long enough to see it happen.
Will you stay the course with us? To God be all the glory — and to you, our dear partners, our deepest gratitude.
Alin Panican
BOL Co-founder
Thank you for your interest in Bread of Life Ministries. We have been able to accomplish a lot with the help of our supporters around the world. There is still more for us to do. Please prayerfully consider how you might help support Bread of Life as we provide support to children and families in need.
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