Recent baptism believed to be first among people group
Editor’s note: Some names have been changed for security reasons.
By Leslie Peacock Caldwell
IMB news office
COLOMBIA — In early April 2022, IMB missionary Travis Burkhalter waded into the rushing waters of a jungle river in Colombia to baptize Sarah, the first known follower of Christ among her tribe.
With tribe members watching from the bank of the river and on nearby rocks, Sarah took this bold step of faith.
“In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I baptize you,” Travis said in her language before lowering her into the river, raising her to her feet, and offering a warm hug.
A few months prior to the baptism, IMB published a story about the Burkhalters — Travis and his wife, Beth, who serve as IMB missionaries — and their work among the Embera people of Colombia.
Travis was learning a difficult and unwritten language to share the gospel with an unreached people group. “It is a daunting task,” Travis said, “but I am extremely motivated because I know souls hang in the balance.”
After the recent baptism, Sarah explained her decision to accept Christ with her community.
The Burkhalters and others on the team shared the gospel with her for three years. As Travis learned more of her spoken vocabulary, he taught Bible stories in her heart language.
The more she learned, the more she understood the truth of what Jesus had done for her. Finally, she expressed her belief in Christ and desire to follow Him.
The prayers of believers in the United States are making a difference among the Embera people, and the IMB is urging believers to continue to lift them to the Lord.
The IMB is also asking believers to pray specifically for the Burkhalters as they disciple Sarah and guide her away from harmful addiction, and to ask God to use Sarah’s testimony and witness to bring many more of her people to salvation.
Also, prayers are needed for the missionary team in Colombia as they faithfully share the truth throughout the country and make dangerous trips into the jungles of Colombia. B&R