Baptism Stories: Debra, Vashti, Carlene, Alana, Ben, Briana and Wilfredo
A number of people who were intending to be baptized at our rained out picnic and baptisms were baptized last Sunday at the end of our services on September 14th. We also had a home group celebrate Alana’s baptism at Ellen’s pool in the afternoon. Each baptism stands as a testament to the Spirit’s work, restoring and renewing lives surrendered to Him. We invite you to read their stories below and pray over the important step they have taken.
Debra B.
When in just two years I lost my husband, daughter, father and mother I felt heart-broken and lost. I went to BP with a friend and have been coming ever since. When I came, it was uplifting and at that point Jesus was in my heart. One day in church I was feeling something, and I just got up and walked to the front with the prayer team. I cried and it felt so wonderful. I said I want to be baptized. I believe Jesus is my Lord and Savior.
Vashti C.
Before I thought I knew it all. I called myself a Christian. I believed in Jesus and said my prayers at night and forgot sometimes. But, I walked around with anxiety and held stress within me, thinking I could do things all on my own.
Then I opened my heart and gave myself to Jesus. I told Him, “Jesus, I surrender. I can’t do life all on my own. I need you.” I asked God to forgive me for my sins and I dug really deep. I got very close to Jesus. I said my prayers constantly through the day. I listened to Bible scriptures. Whatever I felt I would look up in Scripture and hear the Word of God. Jesus has filled me with the Holy Spirit. I believe He has given me a gift. To plant the seed in others. I will not be shaken by fear or anxiety or stress any longer. I know I can give my worries to Jesus and He will follow through and help me along the way. I love Jesus and I know He loves me. I am renewed. And I will never let go.
Carlene F.
Before I gave my life to Jesus, I carried deep pain from trauma, violence, and abuse. I searched for outside validation and turned to drugs and alcohol to numb my wounds. On the outside I tried to look strong, but inside I felt empty, ashamed, and lost. Addiction and brokenness had me trapped in cycles I couldn’t escape on my own.
In my recovery—now more than two years—I’ve come to know that it was God who saved me and gave me true freedom. Through surrendering my life to Him, I have experienced His love and healing. I am even thankful for the hardships I endured, because without them I wouldn’t have met my God the way I have or be on this journey of faith today. Jesus has turned my pain into purpose: to live in service to Him, to help others out of addiction and trauma, to break generational cycles, and to live a life that glorifies Him.
Today, I walk in freedom and with a clear purpose. My greatest calling is to be a follower of God—to spread His message of joy, hope, recovery, and grace. To know that anyone can be saved, anyone can form a relationship with Him, and that through His love we are never alone. In that, I also get to be a great role model for my daughter, showing her what it means to walk in God’s presence and grace so that she, too, can form her own relationship with Him. Together, as brothers and sisters in faith, we live our recovery and faith out loud as acts of service and love, reminding each other that God is always with us.
Alana P.
I have felt God in me ever since I can remember. I have always had God – He has never left me. I have seen Him at work in my life time and time again. He has protected me, forgiven me, healed me, guided me, and loved me. Over the years I quietly praised Him and have given Him glory and gratitude. Little by little, I have grown my voice and spoken up and out about how amazing our God is. I am grateful for my parent’s display of faith baptizing me as a child and how my mother’s love for Jesus shone through in all she did, leading me to develop my own love and fear of God. I have never felt more joy, love, and power, than I have when I have praised God in communion with others. I speak of His love in words and actions, but it is not enough. I feel the need to take ownership over my faith and proclaim my love and devotion to God through the act of baptism.
Benjamin S.
Before Jesus, life felt less meaningful, and Benjamin depended only on himself without much direction. Through his wife, he was introduced to God, and now their lives are filled with prayer, devotion, church, and faith together. God has become Benjamin’s constant source of strength—he turns to Him in daily struggles, big decisions, and everything in between. God has completely transformed his outlook, his attitude, and the way he lives.
Briana V.
When I was younger I went to church but I never took it seriously. I always believed in God but wasn't ready to follow in His ways and chose to go my own way ( the worldly way). I was getting into tarot readings on YouTube and was planning on buying my own cards even though I knew it was wrong. Even though I wasn't worshipping I still thought about God and always felt pulled to Him but I chose to ignore it.
One day there was a event for free backpacks at a local church and I went thinking I was just going to grab one and be on my way but they had us listen to the gospel before handing out the bags. I was pretty upset I didn't really want to listen but all it took was for the pastor to say "Let's give the Lord some praise," and everyone started clapping including myself and I just felt this Joy that came upon me instantly. In that moment I felt like I was one of the angels in heaven applauding God himself. I was crying uncontrollably it was such a wonderful feeling but also a little awkward because there was a bunch of people in the crowd looking at me.
That same day I stopped watching those tarot videos, and eventually had this real hunger for God's Word. It's been a couple of months since I've been consistently reading the Bible and getting a closer relationship with the Father and I couldn't be any happier. I feel fulfilment, joy, and a genuine love for people that I've never had before. I can't imagine going back to my old life without God.
Wilfredo V.
In my childhood my family was never church goers. We had our beliefs and practices but no outward involvement in religion. There's been many instances where, dare I say supernatural experiences have occurred. I now see them as affirmation of the existence of a higher power. I was always drawn to the Bible and religious literature as well as mythology, I feel there is truths sprinkled in everything we just have to know where to look. In my searching for knowledge I've come to the realization that there is indeed a one true God and I am being called to share him with the world.
