Little Tash-Marie Collins smiles while being hugged by Bishop Barrington DaCosta, as she repeats her vows before being baptised. - George Henry

Tash-Marie Collins might be at the tender age of eight, but she was not too young to acknowledge that she was a sinner and that she needed to be saved and baptised, when she spoke to pastor for the Sanguinetti New Testament Church of God in Clarendon, Bishop Barrington DaCosta about baptism less than a month ago.

The little girl, who is a student at the Knox Junior School in Spaldings, was baptised on Sunday August 17, in front of an average congregation, which included her parents Fionie and Steve Collins, who are both members of that church.

Her mother told THE STAR that little Tash-Marie was not forced to be baptised at such a tender age, but that she was the one who decided that she wanted to do the sacred act. She said it was less than a month ago one Sunday night that the Holy Ghost manifested itself at her church while she was moderating service.

"I was moderating family training hour, and looking down, I saw Tash-Marie standing at the altar in tears. I was wondering what was happening to her mind, but she was there praising the Lord. It was really amazing to see a child of her age reaching out to the Lord," said Mrs Collins.

She noted that when service was through that night, her little daughter came to her and told her that she had just finished talking to her pastor. Collins said she asked her why she went to the pastor, and her reply was that she (Tash-Marie) went to the pastor and told him that she wanted to be baptised.

Collins said knowing the type of person her daughter is; one who loved to dance to reggae and other music, she was a bit surprised. She pointed out that she recalled Tash-Marie telling her sometime ago that she would not get baptised, because she loved to dance to reggae.

"I said to her; but Tash-Marie, remember you said you were not going to get baptised because you love to dance to the reggae music? But her reply was that she was really serious this time and that she really wants to serve the Lord and wants to be a very good Christian. She said 'Mommy, this time I want to be a good, good Christian," said her mother.

Mrs Collins said her little daughter made it clear that she had spoken to her pastor and that she was asking both parents not to stop her from being baptised. She added that she also told her father.

Mrs Collins said while on her way home from church that night, she was wondering if her daughter's request to be baptised was just one of those moments when she really wanted to do the sacred act and then change sometime down the road, and get back to her old little habits.

That was not the case, as according to Mrs Collins, as the days went by leading up to Sunday August 17, Tash-Marie kept asking her several questions about the Lord, and about Christianity, including what she had to do to be saved. It was then that the parent fully realised that her little one was serious.

Tash-Marie told THE STAR that she wanted to be baptised because she wanted to serve the Lord. She added that she wanted to do so, because she recognised that some day she will die, and she does not want to end up in hell with Satan, but to spend time in heaven with Jesus.

"I was a little afraid to get dipped in the water, because I did not know how to hold my breath," said Tash-Marie.

She wants children who are not yet serving God, especially her friends, to get baptised so that they can escape the dreaded hell. She wants to remind all humans that they should love the Lord and serve Him in spirit and in truth.

Tash-Marie Collins giving her testimony prior to her being baptised. - George Henry