14 Aug 2026, 11:30Pr Wil Masih; edited by SM CommunicationsInverness, Highland, Scotland, United Kingdom
Two More Baptisms Mark Growing Youth Involvement in Inverness
Two young people publicly committed their lives to Christ through baptism on Sabbath, 8 August, as members from the Inverness and Elgin congregations gathered for a special celebration in the Highlands.
Their baptism reflects a positive development within the Inverness Seventh-day Adventist group, where a growing community of young people is becoming involved in the life and mission of the church. At a time when many churches are seeking ways to connect with younger generations, Inverness has been encouraged to see young people finding faith, friendship and opportunities to grow as disciples of Jesus.
The special Sabbath began at St Ninian's Church, where members and visitors gathered to support Lincorn and Samantha as they took their baptismal vows before the congregation, publicly affirming their faith and commitment to Christ.
The celebration then moved to Nairn Leisure Centre, where members from Inverness and Elgin churches gathered for the baptism. Permission had been granted for the church to use the swimming pool – an unusual occasion that also prompted interest from leisure centre staff, who asked questions about the church and the significance of the event.
Pastor Weiers Coetser, who serves the Aberdeen District and had been preaching at Elgin that Sabbath, joined Pastor Wil Masih and members from the Highlands District for the baptismal celebration.
For 14-year-old Lincorn, baptism was the culmination of a decision that had been developing for some time. Several months earlier, he had expressed his desire to be baptised and publicly commit his life to Christ.
“My baptism was one of the best days of my life. I’m 14 now and I want to give my life to Jesus. I felt God’s peace and love.”
— Lincorn
Samantha had grown up within a Christian background and, over recent years, had spent time studying the beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Through that journey, she became convinced that the teachings she was discovering were consistent with her understanding of Scripture and decided to take the next step through baptism.
“My baptism was a very special and deeply meaningful moment in my life. It felt like the beginning of a new chapter in my relationship with God and a public declaration of my faith in Him. From the moment I joined the Adventist Church I have felt welcomed, loved and supported, and being baptised surrounded by my new church family made the day even more meaningful.
“As I stood there preparing to be baptised, I felt a mixture of emotions – happiness, gratitude and a deep sense of peace.”
— Samantha
The celebration was filled with emotion, with tears of joy, smiles and enthusiastic “Amens” as Lincorn and Samantha emerged from the water. Although both had already been part of the Inverness congregation, baptism marked a new chapter in their spiritual journeys, and both have expressed a desire not only to live out their faith personally, but also to share it with others.
Following the baptism, members from Inverness and Elgin gathered at a nearby hall for fellowship, where Lincorn and Samantha were formally welcomed into church membership. Pastors Coetser and Masih offered words of encouragement as the congregation celebrated its two newest members.
Reflecting on the warmth of the occasion, Pastor Coetser said:
"I felt privileged to share in a moment that clearly meant so much to both baptismal candidates and to the growing Inverness church community. At the special reception afterwards, as I listened to the songs, speeches, and prayers of celebration, I was struck by the warmth and nurture of this faith community. I am confident that it will be a place where both candidates can continue to grow spiritually, and that the Inverness church community will remain a remarkable blessing to all those it reaches."
Reflecting on the wider significance of the day, Pastor Wil Masih said:
“There is something especially encouraging about seeing young people choosing Jesus in the Highlands. We minister in a context where many young people have little connection with church or organised Christianity, yet God is still working in their lives.
“Lincorn and Samantha remind us that the Gospel has not lost its power to speak to a new generation. Our responsibility now is, of course, to celebrate their baptism, but also to walk alongside them, disciple them and create opportunities for them to use their gifts in sharing Jesus with others.”
For the Inverness church community, the day was not simply a celebration of two baptisms, but of two journeys of faith continuing. For Lincorn and Samantha, baptism marked the beginning of a new chapter as disciples of Jesus – supported by a church community committed to walking alongside them as they seek to live and share their faith in the Scottish Highlands.
Two young people publicly committed their lives to Christ through baptism on Sabbath, 8 August, as members from the Inverness and Elgin congregations gathered for a special celebration in the Highlands.
Their baptism reflects a positive development within the Inverness Seventh-day Adventist group, where a growing community of young people is becoming involved in the life and mission of the church. At a time when many churches are seeking ways to connect with younger generations, Inverness has been encouraged to see young people finding faith, friendship and opportunities to grow as disciples of Jesus.
The special Sabbath began at St Ninian's Church, where members and visitors gathered to support Lincorn and Samantha as they took their baptismal vows before the congregation, publicly affirming their faith and commitment to Christ.
The celebration then moved to Nairn Leisure Centre, where members from Inverness and Elgin churches gathered for the baptism. Permission had been granted for the church to use the swimming pool – an unusual occasion that also prompted interest from leisure centre staff, who asked questions about the church and the significance of the event.
Pastor Weiers Coetser, who serves the Aberdeen District and had been preaching at Elgin that Sabbath, joined Pastor Wil Masih and members from the Highlands District for the baptismal celebration.
For 14-year-old Lincorn, baptism was the culmination of a decision that had been developing for some time. Several months earlier, he had expressed his desire to be baptised and publicly commit his life to Christ.
“My baptism was one of the best days of my life. I’m 14 now and I want to give my life to Jesus. I felt God’s peace and love.”
— Lincorn
Samantha had grown up within a Christian background and, over recent years, had spent time studying the beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Through that journey, she became convinced that the teachings she was discovering were consistent with her understanding of Scripture and decided to take the next step through baptism.
“My baptism was a very special and deeply meaningful moment in my life. It felt like the beginning of a new chapter in my relationship with God and a public declaration of my faith in Him. From the moment I joined the Adventist Church I have felt welcomed, loved and supported, and being baptised surrounded by my new church family made the day even more meaningful.
“As I stood there preparing to be baptised, I felt a mixture of emotions – happiness, gratitude and a deep sense of peace.”
— Samantha
The celebration was filled with emotion, with tears of joy, smiles and enthusiastic “Amens” as Lincorn and Samantha emerged from the water. Although both had already been part of the Inverness congregation, baptism marked a new chapter in their spiritual journeys, and both have expressed a desire not only to live out their faith personally, but also to share it with others.
Following the baptism, members from Inverness and Elgin gathered at a nearby hall for fellowship, where Lincorn and Samantha were formally welcomed into church membership. Pastors Coetser and Masih offered words of encouragement as the congregation celebrated its two newest members.
Reflecting on the warmth of the occasion, Pastor Coetser said:
"I felt privileged to share in a moment that clearly meant so much to both baptismal candidates and to the growing Inverness church community. At the special reception afterwards, as I listened to the songs, speeches, and prayers of celebration, I was struck by the warmth and nurture of this faith community. I am confident that it will be a place where both candidates can continue to grow spiritually, and that the Inverness church community will remain a remarkable blessing to all those it reaches."
Reflecting on the wider significance of the day, Pastor Wil Masih said:
“There is something especially encouraging about seeing young people choosing Jesus in the Highlands. We minister in a context where many young people have little connection with church or organised Christianity, yet God is still working in their lives.
“Lincorn and Samantha remind us that the Gospel has not lost its power to speak to a new generation. Our responsibility now is, of course, to celebrate their baptism, but also to walk alongside them, disciple them and create opportunities for them to use their gifts in sharing Jesus with others.”
For the Inverness church community, the day was not simply a celebration of two baptisms, but of two journeys of faith continuing. For Lincorn and Samantha, baptism marked the beginning of a new chapter as disciples of Jesus – supported by a church community committed to walking alongside them as they seek to live and share their faith in the Scottish Highlands.
