Sybil’s Baptism Story
“She’s too young to be baptized! Does she even know what it means?!”
Maybe you’ve heard it before.
Maybe you’ve even thought it.
But every time someone questions whether a child can truly understand baptism, I go back to the words of Jesus:
“Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
— Mark 10:15 (NKJV)
Let’s be clear: there’s no perfect age. No magic number. No spiritual checklist that says when someone is finally “ready enough” to follow Jesus.
When the Holy Spirit moves—age doesn’t limit obedience.
I’ve seen it with my own eyes.
I saw it in Sybil.
A Simple, Bold Yes
When Sybil asked to be baptized, it wasn’t about a show.
It wasn’t prompted, pressured, or planned.
It was simple. Pure. Spirit-led.
She said, “I want to follow Jesus.”
And I knew right away—this wasn’t a phase. This wasn’t pretend. It was real faith, rising up in her little heart, stirred by the Holy Spirit.
As parents, mentors, and believers, we’re not called to evaluate readiness by our own standards. We’re called to listen, to disciple, and to make space for what God is doing in their lives.
Jesus didn’t complicate things. We do.
Let’s Clear Something Up
Baptism is a beautiful, powerful act of obedience—but it doesn’t save you.
Even Paul had to address confusion around this when people started focusing more on who baptized them than why they believed:
“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel…”
— 1 Corinthians 1:17 (NKJV)
He makes it plain in another passage:
“…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (NKJV)
That’s how we’re saved.
Not through water—but through faith in what Jesus already did.
Baptism is our response to the Gospel.
It’s an outward sign of an inward transformation.
So if a child says, “I want to be baptized,” and they understand what Jesus did for them—let them obey.
Don’t Be the Obstacle
Jesus had strong words for anyone who gets in the way of a child’s faith:
“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.”
— Mark 9:42 (NKJV)
That’s serious.
When the Holy Spirit stirs a child’s heart, don’t silence it.
Don’t project your fears or doubts onto their moment of obedience.
Guide them.
Teach them.
And then—get out of the way.
Capturing Heaven on Earth
I didn’t cry during the baptisms—not because it didn’t move me, but because I was capturing it.
I stood in the pool with my camera while others held umbrellas over me attempting to keep my camera dry, and I felt honored to witness what God was doing.
When Alicia and I were baptized, we had photos taken—and every time I look at them, I see Jesus. I feel the weight of that moment all over again.
That’s why I documented Sybil’s day—and everyone else's too.
So they could have a glimpse to look back on.
So they could see what surrender looked like.
And I defiantly cried once uploaded the images into lightroom to process them. Y’all it was so precious.
If you're a parent wondering if your child is ready, here’s what I encourage:
Share the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1–4).
Ask questions.
Listen deeply.
And if the Holy Spirit is leading them—let them obey.
Faith isn’t just for adults.
Sometimes the kids are the ones showing us how it’s done.
Let’s follow Jesus like they do—freely, boldly, and without apology.