Sunday, October 30th, six people were baptized during our Sunday service. God has been at work in their lives, convicting and drawing them close. And the power of God’s word taught series we’ve been in this Fall, Far From Home has made many face their need for Jesus and make public their desire to live their life with Him as King. Read these touching baptism stories, praise God with us and keep our brothers and sisters in prayer.
Andrew M.
I was born and raised in Jamaica and my mom took me to church there. As a child, I did not take any of it seriously. As I got older, I started to pay attention. I saw people get baptized and claim to be perfect, but I saw how they treated others badly and did things I knew to be wrong. That was not something I wanted to be a part of. I came to this country at 19. My aunt took me to church and I saw the same things happening. I decided I wanted nothing to do with religion or church. I decided I would live my life my way. Because of things done to me by some of those closest to me and my own choices, I became selfish, cold-hearted and mean. Then I met my wife. For years, I treated her and Jaz badly. I said and did things to them they didn't deserve. I expected them to leave me and look for revenge, but they never did. Somehow, they always forgave, loved and accepted me. Over time, I began to question how they could be like this. So, I asked my wife. She began to tell me the truth about who Jesus is, what he has done and how he changes us. I saw what they had, how they lived, and I wanted that. I started coming to BP, met with Keith and Jared, and gained a deeper understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. I prayed, asked for forgiveness and my heart began to soften and change. I thank God for those He put in my life to show me the truth. No matter what, Jesus loves me, died for me, forgives me, and wants a relationship with me. I am no longer who I was. I am changed because of Jesus and I am never going back.
Stacy A.
My life before Jesus was good and, like most people, I thought I had it all together. Little did I know, there was something and someone missing from my life that I desperately needed. For a very long time, I lived by the motto "it’s my life and I can do what I want." At the time, it all seemed to make so much sense and feel so right. I felt as if I had it all under control; however, I did not. I was by all means broken and was very unaware of how to fix myself.
Fast forward to February of 2009 when I was still a complete mess trying to figure out this thing called life. A pretty amazing man came into my life and with him came two of the most awesome people, who are an absolute blessing.. About a year later, I found out I was pregnant and was beyond excited, yet extremely nervous at the idea of becoming a mom. Around a month later, however, that was taken away from me because of an unfortunate miscarriage. I was left completely devastated. Again that same year, I was blessed with another chance to be a mom; however, that was cut short by another loss. I was absolutely beside myself. The following year, again, I was blessed yet in the blink of an eye, it was over. I had never felt more broken and lost. I could not wrap my head around why this had happened not once, not twice, but three times. Between the passing of my father on May 29, 2009 and all of my pregnancy losses, I was lost and was not sure if I would ever be able to move on from this. One thing I started to realize was I could not let this completely consume my life.
Since coming to BridgePointe, I have met some of the most amazing people and they have all helped my see that Jesus loves me unconditionally and He always will. I have definitely changed the way I look at life and I feel as though my faith has gotten stronger and will only continue to grow. I am extremely excited for what Jesus has in store for me and I am ready to live my life for Jesus.
Alice G.
Before giving my life to Jesus, I was always feeling angry, overwhelmed, and frustrated. After giving my life to Jesus, I found peace. God has taken me this far and won’t leave me at the worst time in my life. The loss of my dog was the start, then my beloved husband, Curtis. I need Jesus now and forever. Thank you and God bless you.
Chanda S.
It wasn’t until I birthed my son, Leon, that I truly appreciated Jesus for all His glory. I remember staring at my then 9.47 pound newborn and thinking to myself, if this is how much I can love my baby while just meeting him, I cannot fathom how much love Jesus has for me as a child of God.
Although my life has been shaped heavily in religion, I always found myself sinning and putting my needs and wants first. I recall praying but only for the things I desired. Fervently, I’d beg our Heavenly Father for my wishes to be met with so much suffering, grief and sadness. In my darkest hours, I remember feeling as though God had forsaken me.
It was only when a soon-to-be toddler pushed me to the levels of relinquishing control (because I realized I had none) that I began understanding the meaning of surrendering to Jesus. How amazing is it that our Father meets us, cherishes us, and fully loves us for where we are. Equally, how reassuring is it to know that God has a plan for all of us and He walks with us through every step?! The solace my soul felt in accepting this as the way and truth is indescribable.
I pray my baptism allows Jesus to do as He always has: to make me His instrument who can smile, be a a light, and help those in need without the need for accolades, even if I am in a time of despair. All the praise belongs to our God! I pray those around me see my story as one that is incredibly imperfect and full of mistakes, but also one that is still filled with so much joy and love, only because Jesus has allowed me to flourish. Every time I have felt as though my cup was empty, Jesus made sure it was overflowing, oftentimes not with what I had asked for but what He knew I needed. Now, I live by “telling my big problems I have a bigger God” and also “give it to God.”
I take this sacrament I make in front of my BridgePointe community, family, and friends as a statement that I love Jesus, all He has both given and taken from me, and all that is to come. I hope this and my life moving forward will help lead my family, both the little ones and the older ones, to take steps closer to Jesus. I know my life and my heart have changed drastically for the better since doing so and I pray for this sense of love for everyone.
Luis R.
I am ready to commit my life to Jesus. I was raised in the Catholic Church and teachings influenced by my mother. I was always distracted and not focused on the words of Jesus Christ. I thought I could make it on my own without Jesus. I was so confused and had so many questions with the teachings of the Catholic Church. I was wrong and now know that I need Jesus in my life and cannot live without Him. I was so lost and unhappy in my life with a lot of negative energy, anxiety, stress, and bad situations. The devil and demons were trying to take over my life. God was always there trying to wake me up and still, with all my sins, Jesus was trying to help me. I remembered praying to Jesus and asking for His forgiveness. I was ready to change my life and was committed to staying focused and on the road to Jesus Christ. It was a marvelous road of love, mental peace, and tranquility. I pray to Jesus to guide my family, to follow His teachings and to follow His words. I am so grateful for everything God has done and has given me. I have a lot to learn from Jesus and am ready for His teachings. I am His student and His soldier. My faith will continue to overcome any obstacles and any fears. I have been through so much that it would be too much and too extensive to share in a few words. I have been going through some new challenges in my life and one of them is that I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I believe in my faith in Jesus Christ that I will get better. God is my primary doctor. I will not let fear take away my faith in Jesus Christ.
Jarrid S.
Coming to BridgePointe has given me a sense of purpose and brought me closer to Jesus. I’ve always felt some gravitational pull towards a higher power and neglected those feelings and thought I could do it on my own. Now, starting this journey to serving God and giving my complete self to Jesus, I know I can’t do anything without Him and this was a needed and overdue step to getting closer to Him day by day.