Teens baptized at Jehovah's Witness convention

Taze Heavin couldn't wait to begin his new life.

The 16-year-old was one of about 25 people who would begin their spiritual lives after being baptized as a Jehovah's Witness during a three-day convention at the American Bank Center.

This year's convention called "Don't Give Up!" focused on enjoying life and gaining hope for the future, which is exactly what Taze and Robert Marroquin, 19, had in mind Saturday morning.

"I was super excited. I couldn't sleep," Marroquin said. "I woke up around 5 in the morning because I was excited."

Arriving in suits to attend service, Taze and Marroquin later changed into T-shirts and shorts to be dunked into a pool in front of more than 3,000 people. Saturday's service served as the new members' welcoming into the spiritual community.

Before being baptized, members make a private dedication through prayer to dedicate their lives to sacred service, said Juan Cantu, media coordinator for the convention.

Members often wait until they are fully able to understand and are ready to dedicate themselves to their faith before they are baptized.

"We have people as young as 9 and as old as 90," Cantu said.

The baptism is the first step the two take in starting their spiritual journey. From here, the newly baptized members become eligible to become ministers to preach as Jehovah's Witnesses.

"I've been raised as a Jehovah's Witness," Taze said. "My whole life (getting baptized) has been a goal."

Marroquin's ambition is to visit the Jehovah's Witness headquarters in Bethel, New York, he said.

"There's so many avenues to go through," Marroquin said, adding that the possibilities for his future are countless.

Although Taze is still in high school at Harold T. Branch Academy, he is ready to take on the responsibilities of being a Jehovah's Witness.

"Preaching in new ways and getting to reach out, I'm open to them," he said.

No matter what futures the two may have, they both felt Saturday was a turning point in their lives, Marroquin said.

"You go into the water as the old person, and you come out a new person," Taze said.

Watch a video from the baptism on Caller.com.

The convention will continue through Sunday at the American Bank Center. About 5,000 people are expected to attend Sunday's services, Cantu said.