“I think the Bible study is what I got the most from,” Durlin said. “He (Purdom) was the biggest help in the world. After only going to church a couple times and reading the Bible on your own, it is a little overwhelming.
“He was a great teacher, and what was great with him was he brought it down to a level where a beginner could get going and understand it. He was also there if I ever had a question about anything. His teaching and everything else helped me continue on. I never really got discouraged because he was always around.”
As Durlin began studying Scripture, he became convicted about his need to be baptized. Plans were in place for him to be baptized during a Kairos service in March 2020, just before COVID-19 shutdowns began.
Kairos eventually began holding services on Sunday nights, but work commitments and COVID-19 concerns kept Durlin from being able to attend.
After staying connected to the church as much as possible and watching services online, Durlin began attending Kairos again immediately when services returned to Tuesday nights last fall.
Durlin and Purdom also resumed plans for baptism. Durlin was finally baptized, along with another young man, during a Kairos service Dec. 7.
Purdom hopes baptism represents not finality for Durlin, but a new beginning.
“In some ways him being a faithful disciple and being baptized is a new beginning for him to then look to make other disciples and baptize them one day,” Purdom said.
Durlin encouraged other young adults to find the help and hope they need through a local church.
“I’m now able to see the bigger picture of life, and the bigger picture of living a God-centered life,” Durlin said. “I know God loves me and I’m going to do what’s right to have my relationship with God. The decisions that I make are in reference to doing right with God. I feel like God has given me so much, and he is a part of everything in my life.
“When you feel lost in life you feel like there’s no opportunity to get yourself on track and not feel lost, but there is, and it’s church and everything that it offers. All you have to do is seek someone out and ask for help.”
This article originally appeared here.
