Noah's Story

Noah spent a lot of time at the campus house over the last two years because he commuted from Middletown to Newark every day for classes. He often had to work in the evenings back in Middletown, but occasionally stayed for Tuesday Dinner and Discussion. As time passed, Casey Coston, the Blue Hens for Christ campus minister, was able to engage in some conversations with Noah. 

These conversations led to more time spent talking at Newark Deli and Bagel. Casey and Noah would talk about basketball, school, and the future. Eventually, they began reading the Gospel of John together.

On one particular week, Casey brought up the subject of baptism. At the time, Noah did not think he needed to be baptized. While Casey understood where Noah was coming from in not thinking he needed to be baptized, Casey suggested a different way of considering the matter that was free of any pressure, coercion, and so forth. Together, Casey and Noah began reading some of the conversion stories told in Acts. Casey encouraged Noah to keep reading scripture, and he did.

Eventually, during one conversation, Casey asked Noah if there was any action he wanted to take. Noah responded by saying that he wanted to be baptized. In an email, Noah wrote to Casey: "In Acts, I just realized the importance of baptism(I feel like I downplayed it a little). I always thought that if you did the right things and prayed and believed that God was‌ real and died for our sins, you essentially had salvation, but I realized it takes a lot more, and part of the action is getting baptized. It is definitely more than a symbol."

This past April 25th, Noah was baptized in Christ. We thank God for Noah and for God's patient and persistent work in the lives of both Casey and Noah.