Sunday October 4th was the first Sunday back to three services since we reopened in June 2020 — AND our first in-service post-COVID baptism. JoAnn we celebrate with you and are so excited that you’ve taken this step of surrender and commitment! Here is JoAnn’s story in her own words:

“I have always loved and followed Jesus, even as a child. I was abused by my mother, and my father allowed it, but I always knew God was there for me. I grew up stronger, more independent and more determined to make it on my own, despite my parents. My first marriage was filled with verbal abuse, but even then I prayed to God and He helped me survive those years. Through this marriage I had my beautiful, strong daughter Kayla. She then gave me my precious granddaughters, Nevaeh and Shelby who have given me more joy than I had ever imagined. Through my second marriage to my best friend Steve I was graced with my free-spirited, beautiful daughter Madeline. My experiences of the first 30 years of life led me to work with children and provide love, support, encouragement and guidance - all the things teachers, that God put in my life, gave me when I was young, which kept me going.

However, there was always an emptiness in my heart. I was a Catholic for 54 years, but no matter how much I went to church, how blessed I was with children and grandchildren, or all the time I spent helping others, many questions, doubts and emptiness remained. The fulfillment I was looking for was not coming to me through the Catholic religion. The questions I had were not being answered. I became more lost, confused, and depressed. I could not understand why God would let me be so sad. Then, three years ago I met my friend Ralph who ran a mission to feed the homeless. He provided them nourishment through food, conversation and prayer each week. Immediately I knew I had to get involved. Through my missions with Ralph I met my friend Matt P. Matt and I had many conversations about God, life, and religion. He patiently listened to my many questions and answered what he could. He never judged me. A few times he invited me to attend church with him. I finally accepted and by my second visit I knew I was on my way.

I would talk to God on Sunday mornings before church, and ask Him to help me find the answer to a question. Almost every time, I would come to BridgePointe and in Jared’s first few sentences he was answering the question I’d asked. God was speaking to me through all these people in my life. Although I was growing more excited, and I felt I had found a place where I belonged, I was still confused. I had been a Catholic my whole life. How could I just forget all that and say I am a Christian. My dear friend Matt answered this question. He said, “JoAnn, being a Christian is all about your relationship with God. You have that relationship, so it doesn’t matter what Church you attend, or what others think.” He told me not to be so hard on myself.

A few weeks later Jarod preached about how people go through life doing all the things they believe they are supposed to do, but still feel lost and empty. Of course that morning I had just cried to God that I did not understand why I always felt so sad, no matter what I did for others. Jared explained that we are not supposed to do things to make us happy, but we are supposed to do them to make God happy. We are here as His servants. I cried again that morning because I realized that all I did for others wasn’t going to fulfill me, unless I stopped thinking about what it does for me, and started thinking about what it does for God. This was a huge “ah ha” moment.

Why am I committing today? There are two final pieces that made this decision for me. 1) My friend Matt, who I have asked to baptize me today, instinctively knew I was ready, and he asked me right out, 2 times in 2 days, “So, when are you going to be baptized?” I let him know I was close. However, I was afraid that if I were baptized as a Christian, did that negate the 54 years that I followed God? I knew now that over this past year, for the first time in my life, I didn’t just believe in God, and love God, but I now know God! Then, just as God planned it, #2 happened. Jacob spoke to me after church a few weeks ago. I told him I was almost ready, but that I had that one final hang up. He explained that as a child your parents chose to baptize you. Then, if like most Catholics, you go through the steps all the way to confirmation, most times without conviction. However, now I have been through my own journey. I now know God and am lucky enough to know what my calling is. Being baptized now is me saying that I accept God in my life fully.

My journey has been challenging, but everything that has happened has brought me to the place I am today. I know God. I know my calling. I have found a home and family in my BridgePointe community, and I look forward to continuing to grow in my faith and in my love of Jesus. I still have so much to learn, and I am certain I will continue to know God more with my Christian family.”