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.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ" (Philippians 4:6-7). 

I grew up going to church every Sunday but never really connected with God or the messages I was hearing and in my mid 20’s I turned my back on God. My life was full of anxiety and fear until a few years ago; I realized that the trials God had given me were all to bring me back to Him and to strengthen my relationship with Him. While I may not understand the path He has for me, I am no longer filled with anxiety and worry over what may come because I trust in God. I am reminded of His love for me when I think of His words in Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

I have experienced a big transformation through my faith, and baptism is a significant step in my journey to commit my life to Jesus. It symbolizes my desire to let go of my past and embrace a new life of purpose, love, and service. I am blessed to declare my faith and continue growing in my relationship with God.

Starting around 15, I’ve struggled on and off with depression and anxiety. I’ve walked through seasons of joy and sadness. I was so broken and lost that eventually I dropped down to my knees in tears, begging God to be here for me; to help me. As I started living for the Lord, I noticed the change. My sadness eased drastically, faith was growing more day by day, and my anxiety was no longer an issue. God saved me and showed me that there is so much more to life through Him. He gave his only son, so now I give him my life.

Before Christ, I thought I had it all. I was a nonbeliever who thought material things and status meant that I was on the right path. But inside I was broken, hurt and alone. But in Christ, I am loved unconditionally, forgiven and full. I know that He was and will always be with me through it all.

I chose a path of self-destruction and my weapon was alcohol. I used it to mask my failures and make me feel in control. It almost cost me my family and marriage. I wake up every day thankful to God and for never giving up on me. The anger in my heart is gone and he is truly guiding me and showing me how to be the Godly man, husband and father that I am supposed to be.

Before coming to GBC I felt like there was something missing in my life but I could never pinpoint it. It wasn't until this time last year that a person very close to me invited me to attend the Easter service with them. After that service I began going every week and growing my connection with Jesus. Overtime, I realized that I had found what I was missing. Through my baptism today I am symbolizing and embracing the new life God has given me in Jesus.

I am so blessed to have the opportunity and privilege of being baptized here today at GBC; where I came to know of the Love and Light of Jesus. One of my favorite verses is John 8:12 — “Jesus spoke to them again: ‘I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.’”

I had always felt the presence of a higher power working in my life, but as of the summer last year I would find that to be Jesus Christ. After seeing him perform a miracle on my best friend’s life from going down a dark path, this inspired me to seek His Word. In doing so, I have truly learned how to love myself — not the person I was trying to be for other people, but the man God has called me to be. Being a Christian means to do the hard thing and fight our worldly desires, even in the littlest of moments.

I was raised in the Catholic faith and trusted Jesus as my Savior at a very young age. Throughout my life, I have seen that when I seek my own will for my life, it is unfulfilling and leaves me broken, but in Christ, I am made new. Jesus is the only path to everlasting life, and there is no greater joy than abiding in Him. The verse that I cling to is Romans 8:28 — “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” 

What saved me from God’s wrath was running out of options. I was very lost and broken; very far from God. I lived a life of sin and bad choices. My behavior affected not only me, but the ones around me. With my dad finding God, I found God as well. I look up to my Dad. Here I am today, not perfect, but God has made me a much better version of myself. Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”