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.”

For a long time before Christ was my Lord and Savior, I was angry at the life God had given me. Facing adversity from having an addiction battling parent who themselves was trying their best but could only do so much. Throughout adolescence and early adulthood, I was being aimless with the direction I wanted my life to go in. During this time drifting through life with no real intention I came across a few people that got me wanting to let go of this anger and join the family of Christ. It was because of these individuals that I now find myself surrounded by loving and compassionate friends/family. I have been welcomed back into Christ’s family with open arms and I can’t imagine looking back at what was if not only to show appreciation for where I am now.

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.

All my life, I searched for meaning and felt lost. Raised Roman Catholic, I rebelled early and spent decades battling addiction. But God never left me. On September 21st, 2021, after a moment with my daughter, I stopped drinking—that was the day I unknowingly began surrendering to Christ. Matthew 19:26 says, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” That verse became real in my life. In November 2023, God led me to Groton Bible Chapel, where I truly embraced my faith. Today, I’m getting baptized to publicly declare my commitment to Christ—who’s guided me home. 

1 Corinthians 16:13-14- “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”

Acts 2:42-46 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.  All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts…”

Being raised Catholic, I always found myself believing in God, but my actions did not show that. One night, after criticizing my friends for cussing in front of the church, I realized I was a hypocrite, because I was so far from Jesus, but I criticized my friends for being far from Jesus. After that night, I chose to pursue my relationship with the Lord, submit everything in my life to Him, and never turn back. Now I am closer to Him than ever before.

In the danger of combat I feel everyone speaks to some kind of God hoping they'll listen. Well our God is faithful and real and he saved me from rocket and mortar attacks and brought me home from Afghanistan. Down and out on my luck with a drinking issue and heavy drugs to numb the pain, I was separated from the military. I couldn't hold a job to save my life and broke down next to my bed asking Jesus if he was real. I had nowhere else to turn and was broken on the verge of giving up. But by his saving grace, that night he gave me a clear sign in the form of a dream. And from that day forward I have given my life to the true King and Savior, Jesus Christ.