Baptism Stories: Christine and Quani
We praise God for two more baptisms at BridgePointe on Sunday, November 9th. Christine and Quani were baptized at the end of our first and second service declaring their commitment to Jesus and living with Him as King of their lives. Please take a moment to read their stories in their own words and join us in praying for them as they take this important step of faith. If you are interested in learning more about what this step means, visit our Baptism page. Our next Baptism Sunday will be December 14th.
Christine K.
I was baptized as an infant into the Catholic Church. I made all my sacraments to date but have not felt comfortable there for a long time. Arianna suggested I try BridgePointe. I like it and have since brought a friend. At my friend’s first service she looked at me and said, “I want to be baptized” and I felt called to say, "me too!" I feel called to reaffirm my love and trust in Him. I am choosing to be bapitzed to come closer to Jesus and wash away a lifetime of stuff.
Quani F.
Growing up, I did not grow up in a religious household. Most conversations we would have about religion were when my mom would tell us, “Everything happens for a reason.” However, I wanted nothing to do with it; I felt like everything that happened to me was on my own merit, and there was no good explanation for why we are here ( looking back, I think it is insane that I even felt that way). I grew up blessed, I had a good childhood, I had a good friend group, everything was great.
Then I got to college, I was 18 hours from home, in a new city with completely different types of people. When I got to school, I was curious about the campus ministry group (CSF), but I felt like I was doing it as a task, and I didn't even understand what was happening, so after about 3 weeks, I quit. I felt like I didn’t fit in at all.
Throughout the semester, I felt like I had to do things and become someone I wasn't to make friends. I noticed my bright, nice to everyone, and always happy lifestyle was completely gone just to please others. I felt like I just needed to get back home, and I would be fine again. So I let my anxiety and depression get bad because I felt like I just had to suffer until the end of the year. So finally it was time to go back home, but things didn’t get better. My anxiety got worse, I was more depressed, and my panic attacks multiplied. None of my family and friends knew what to do because they had never seen me like that before.
Around mid-June, my Christian friend Wyatt and I were at lunch together, and I was telling him about the stuff I had going on, and everything changed. He told me I need to just believe in something because the thought that everything is based on my efforts is causing me so much pain. He said that he recommends Christianity, but he didn't even care what I did; he just wanted my mental health to be fixed. Later in the conversation, I told him I didn't feel at home anywhere, and he said, “This is exactly why you need to turn to Christ.” I will never forget him saying that to me. Then, a few hours later, he sent me a link to the bible app, it was the book of Job. I had 0 knowledge of the bible, so I thought he was sending me a book in the bible about how to work as a Christian. I had no idea Job was a person. When I read this book, I was beyond surprised. While it was so complicated, it helped me understand how bad things can happen to people and that there is more in the world than what man can see. I learned God has control of everything, including the hairs on my head. This changed my life.
From there, I asked so many questions, I started praying every night, journaling, and reading the Bible. I got to a point with no hope, and then Jesus became my hope. For the rest of the summer, I struggled a tremendous amount, but it was with Jesus by my side. At the end of the summer, I was at the gym, in between sets, and I was lost for words. I spent time just reflecting, and I realized my life was so blessed. Through all the troubles and tribulations, God was holding me up. At that moment, I knew Jesus died for me and that I had been given the gift of grace that I didn't deserve. All of the guilt and shame I felt from my previous life were cleansed, and I was made new.
A few weeks later, I went back to school scared about how I was going to live, but I kept God alongside. I was on fire for God, learning and continuing to push my faith. A few weeks into the semester, I was asked by people in the campus ministry group to come back, and I felt through their love that I should actually try it. So I did, I went back, and this time things felt different there. I was willing to learn, and while I felt like I did not know as much as anyone else, it was the next step in continuing my faith. After only 2 or 3 weeks of being there, they had a fall retreat, and they invited me to go. I had other plans for that weekend, but I felt like God was really calling me to be there that weekend. So I rearranged my plans and went to the retreat. I got to get so much closer with my ministry group and get to know other Christians at my school, which was so helpful. I also got to fully interact with my future girlfriend. When we got back, I finally felt like I fit in with people at my school, and that was such a breath of fresh air. My future girlfriend (Mae) and I started talking, and I continued to grow in my faith. We started dating towards the end of the semester, and we promised to have a Christ-centered relationship with boundaries that honored God. Even though we hadn't been dating for long, everyone saw how connected we were because we prioritized God at the center.
Then the semester ended, and I started an internship with Disney in Orlando. Yet again, I had to start a new life, but this time it felt easier because I had Christ by my side. Since I was focused on God and my career, I grew so much in my faith, reading so much of the Bible and getting to learn what it fully meant to have a Christ-filled life. I wasn't perfect by any means. I had a lot to learn about what it looked like to be in Christ, but my time in Orlando gave me the time and space to learn. I had an amazing church experience while I was there, and I truly felt at home. It was very hard to leave.
Then I came back to Providence, and back with my ministry group, my Christian friends, and Mae, and I found a home church. Now I have my voice in my ministry group, and I help inspire others to grow in our group. We even have a small prayer group before our weekly meetings that I am a part of. Even though I have only been a Christian for around 14 months, I am on fire for him, and while my life is still filled with ups and downs, I bring it all to God. My life has changed because of the love of God, and I love him more and more every day.
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