WAXAHACHIE, Texas – A family is mourning the loss of a loved one who drowned the weekend after his baptism.

The 21-year-old man died while trying to rescue a teenager from a lake near Dallas.

The incident occurred around 12:45 p.m. on August 24 at Lake Waxahachie, about 35 miles south of Dallas.

According to police, Lincer Lopez was baptized in Lake Waxahachie and drowned an hour later.

“He was a hero,” said Lincer’s uncle Jacobo.

Lincer died while trying to save a young girl who was also a member of his church group. They were enjoying the water after several baptisms when he realized she was in danger. Lincer jumped into action.

“He didn’t think twice about saving someone else,” Jacobo said. “He didn’t think about the risk that he could die.”

And he risked his life to save someone else’s. The young girl survived. She was eventually pulled from the water by a nearby boater.

“I haven’t really started it yet, it hasn’t quite sunk in yet, it’s tough,” said boater Jacob Bell.

Bell performed CPR on the girl and then helped recover Lincer’s body – a deeply personal mission.

“That’s how I lost my brother,” Bell said.

Jacob’s brother drowned when he was only three years old, and his sympathy for Lincer’s family pains him in many ways.

“He was a hero. He had just been baptized and had dedicated his life to the Lord and to our family. We pray for his family and we pray for the little girl’s family,” Bell said. “And he was a strong boy and they should be very proud of him.”

There is no doubt about that.

Lincer’s uncle said he worked hard in construction so he could send money to his siblings in Mexico. Lincer was so young, but his legacy will live on. His uncle believes his story can inspire others to serve God and help people.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise funds to help Lincer’s family transport his body to Mexico, where his parents are.