Yesterday we gathered together for our end of summer Picnic & Baptisms at Bristol Town Beach and witnessed six people express their love and commitment to Jesus through baptism. Below are their baptism stories in their own words.

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

Romans 6:4

Marcia G.

As a child I was raised in the Catholic Church. I knew God loved me and I tried to follow His teachings, but I never felt a connection. Throughout the years I would stop going to church and then guilt would bring me back. Starting in my teens I made choices and had experiences that I am not proud of…I rebelled against my parents and put God aside because I thought I knew what was best for me. But now I know that God was always there and protected me during that time and He waited patiently for me to return to Him. I went on to marry and have children but unfortunately the marriage ended. Again I made some unwise choices and needed to make some changes in my life.

In the Fall of 2019 I was going through some rough times. My friend, Charlene McG., had talked often of BridgePointe and encouraged me to come. I knew after that first visit that this is where I needed to be. I’ve suffered with anxiety my whole life and now know that I need Jesus to help me in this battle. After one service I was just sitting there feeling sad. Orlando was in front with the prayer team that day. He saw me and got me to go pray with him. He shared some of his trials and I knew I wasn’t alone.

Now I know that worship is not just going through the motions. I put my trust in God. As Proverb 3:57 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes.” Even though I appreciate that my parents chose to baptize me as an infant, it is now my choice to be baptized...to acknowledge and accept God as my Lord and Savior. I am still a work in progress but I know that God and my BridgePointe family will always be here on this journey with me.

Kyle P.

For the past few years, I have searched for spiritual growth in everything but God... As a life-long Catholic, I never really had a relationship with God or read the bible for that matter, but instead only ever went to church to please family.

Earlier this year, I was reintroduced to my Lord, my Savior, Jesus Christ. I like to say my faith was restored, but in a completely new way. I finally realized the Lord has been looking over me my entire life, even though I only looked to Him in times of trial and desperation.

I look back on one of my relationships, where I felt betrayed by two people I spent a lot of my life with and at the age of 25, I found myself very confused as to how this could have happened. Somehow though, I still felt compelled to forgive each of them as the burden was far too much for my shoulders. I realize today Jesus was present the entire time, whether I acknowledged Him or not. He was blessing me through the hardship and showing me how He would have responded.

I was invited to attend a new church by Alex DeL. and as I walked into BridgePointe on Easter Sunday for the first time, I was in awe at the display of worship through music and what Jared was preaching on stage. It was real, it was authentic, and it was all for Jesus. 

Since then, I’ve been in constant communication with Jesus, and He has done great work for my spiritual, psychological and physical health. I went to a 44 hour retreat this past weekend, called Marked Men for Christ’ They focused on five wounds… deceit, fear, anger, sadness, and shame. Our phones were taken away to allow the Holy Spirit to do His work. With that we were put into soul groups with five other men and they had us dig deep into our pasts, things I didn’t even know I held onto, and got an opportunity to empathize with these other men. 

On my drive home Sunday, around 3pm, I listened to BridgePointe’s Sunday service and realized baptisms were being held at my hometown in Bristol. After listening to Jared’s sermon (which should have technically been held last week due to hurricane postponement) and noticing how much it coincided with a lot of what I had just worked on this past weekend, I knew the Lord was calling me to surrender my life to Him. 

I am beyond excited for my new journey with Jesus and am excited to show the light of Christ to other Men and Women in this life.

David L.

I feel I am recommitting to Jesus today. I grew up going to a good church and following God and Jesus when I was younger. Unfortunately, when I was an adult, I stopped going to church. I always kept praying to Jesus but wasn’t committed to Him. My life now has changed, I met my beautiful wife Jennifer my best friend who led me to BridgePointe, a church that I love. To have Jesus in my heart, my family around me, and my friends at BridgePointe to support me – that is what baptism means to me. When I made this decision to be baptized, I felt so much more committed to God and Jesus, and I know they will be with me.

Julia H.

I have been fortunate to grow up in a family who loves Jesus. I wanted to be baptized because I know all the blessings He has given me and my family. It is because of His love and grace that we have the lives we do today. I am excited to see this new life Jesus has given me and to share His love with the world.

Hamparsoum “Harry” H.

For a long time my life was empty. I do not know why I thought having money or women would fill my life–I was wrong. I saw others who have a relationship with Jesus and how happy they were. Jesus gave their life purpose. Through baptism my old life will end and I will be reborn with Jesus as my life coach. I am most excited that at 57 I will start my new life with Jesus and have eternal life with Him.

Katelyn

“I decided I wanted to be baptized when I attended the church baptism in June. My mom and I talked about the meaning of baptism, and I wanted to be baptized to show the world that I am a believer and follower of Jesus.”