2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; the new has come.” As I stand before you proclaiming Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I am reborn from the ashes of my sin.

My life brought me to the brink of despair and hopelessness.  God, in his great mercy brought me from addictive patterns and into his light - giving me renewed purpose in Jesus.  I am now able to bring light into the dark and draw others to Him! My life verse is Matthew 5:14-16 — “ You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

I am beyond blessed to have this relationship with my Heavenly Father. The Scripture I have chosen is Zephaniah 3:17 —  “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save ; He will rejoice over you with gladness ; He will quiet you by His love ;  He will exalt over you with loud singing.”

Before making Jesus my Savior, I was in torment. When I was homeless, God led me to Groton Bible Chapel, and I repented and gave my life to Jesus. Now I am saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, and I can trust Him with my whole life. 1 John 4:4 — “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

I once was lost, But now I am found

PSALM 23:1-6

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

When Jesus stated, "I am the light of the world,”  in John 8:12, those words, that promise, should not be taken lightly. He absolutely is an unimaginable light that lifts you from the darkness when you follow, surrender, and let him. The scripture I've chosen today is Psalm 139:23-24 — “Search me, oh God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 - “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.”

Before  I had accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I was living a life focused on satisfying my flesh and not the Spirit. I asked Jesus into my heart and proclaimed Him as my Lord and Savior around 6th grade. In my life since accepting and focusing on Jesus and His Word, I’ve learned how loving, giving, and infinitely gracious He is. He is always in control. Psalm 23:3 “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

Before I asked Jesus into my heart, I was often afraid. Last year, I accepted Jesus as my Savior. Now I pray when I'm afraid, and feel Jesus comfort me.

Psalm 56:3, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee."

There is a verse I love, which is John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world, you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world.” This verse always reminds me that life is not always fair and kind, but as long as I have the Creator with me, then I have hope.

Before encountering Christ, I searched for fulfillment in worldly things, but through His love and the promise of rest in Matthew 11:28, I found peace, purpose, and transformation, no longer defined by my past but by His grace.

The Bible says to, “Believe and be baptized”. I know I am a sinner, and also know that I am saved by Jesus dying for me on the cross. This is why I am being baptized today…to show obedience to God and to show others that I am a Christian.

Somehow, I always seemed to be on the wrong path.  I kept feeling as if I was wandering and getting lost in the dark.  One day, I heard the music, the song that changed my compass, Truth Be Told by Matthew West. I then saw it was the Lord using His people to guide me to Jesus. I am being baptized today to publicly show that I am a believer in Jesus!

I am a sophomore in high school. I gave my life to Christ when I was much younger at a church VBS, and due to my age, I didn’t fully understand what “giving” my life meant. Last year was a personally difficult time for me and I lost hope and loyalty to God- afraid that He had lost his love for me. Living my way was incredibly painful, but since then I have redirected my life back to Him. Today I shall publicly claim Him as Lord of my life, for He has returned me once again into His everlasting grace.

I had been wandering lost for most of my life, burdened by guilt and sin, angry and frustrated with GOD. Yet Jesus still welcomed me into his arms. All my past deeds had been wiped clean. As he had already washed them away for me. In Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NLT)

I was raised Catholic, and I believed in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, but I did not know Christ as my Lord and Savior yet. Pastor Zak talked about “belonging, believing, and behaving,” and I wanted to belong, so I joined two small groups. Through doing that and reading my Bible, I came to know the Lord as my Savior, I believe He is where I have peace.

I am here today because I put my trust in Christ last year. He got me out of loneliness, so I will share the good news of Jesus to all who need it.

Before I met Christ,  I saw God’s love through my parents, at home, and church. When I was 7, I was struggling at school, and   my mom said, “You need Jesus!”  So the two of us prayed a simple prayer for Him to come into my heart and save me, and I asked Him to be Lord of my life. My favorite verse is Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;” I chose this verse because it is my daily reminder to trust God with everything!!  He shows me so much love.  He truly is my strength and comfort!

A couple years ago I did not know Jesus at all but after learning about Him and seeing His healing love in my family, I knew that He is my Savior. Now when I am stressed, I know to turn to God and pray he will guide and comfort me. I know that Jesus has brought me to church and put me in a safe and good place that makes me feel happier than I was before I knew Him! I feel so much more connected with the church and my family because of God! Romans 15:13 - “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”