My Baptism

I was baptized on Sunday! It was a big day for me; very cool!

My church practices 'believer's baptism'. They require you to complete a class on baptism before you are baptized - very informative. I learned alot about it; what it means, what the Bible says about it, etc. It was a very cool experience and it made the actual service mean even more to me. Just in case you're interested, I've included my testimony below.

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When I look back two years, I see a very different person than the one standing here today. I believed in God. I prayed often. I even read the Bible and attended Church occasionally. But, I thought that God was supposed to work for me. I was depressed, and frustrated. And I blamed God for everything bad in my life.

In the midst of my finger-pointing, and sadness, my younger brother, Aaron, asked me to attend the Alpha course here at Rocky View. I grudgingly agreed; mainly because I didn’t want to let him down.

When it came time to actually attend the classes, I was nervous. What if I say something wrong? What if they realize that I’m not good enough? There were a million “what-if’s” running through my head. I made it through the first class. No one called me names, no one told me I didn’t fit in. I know it sounds strange, but that’s really what I was expecting. I felt welcome, and after that first class, I was hooked.

I’ve come a long way since then and it’s been hard. I learned things about myself that I never wanted to see. I struggled with giving my life to God. And I really had to work on the idea that my relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, needed to be a two-way street.

There were many times when I felt like giving up on this journey. But every time I tried to turn-away He called me back. Whether He sent a friend with a kind hug and warm conversation, or spoke to me when I needed to hear that I wasn’t alone. He has given me the strength I need to get through.

There are many people here, and elsewhere in the world today who have played a crucial role in getting me to this point. Thank you! Thank you for not giving up on me, thank you for guiding and comforting me, thank you for holding me accountable for my actions. Thank you for choosing to listen when God asked you to support me.

Now, I am ready to make my public commitment to God. I am delighted to have my sins washed away and to become a new person in Christ. I am happy for the love, forgiveness and friendship He has given to me so generously. I am excited to give worship and praise to God and eager to learn more about Him. I can’t wait to see where He will lead me next.

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To each of you who have helped me get here - whether with a kind word of support, an encouraging conversation, or through your prayer for His guidance in my life - Thank you.

remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the way of error will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. - James 5:20

That's me giving my testimony. Pastor Rick was the one who baptized me.

This is my good friend Wendy giving me some words of encouragement.

Rick says a few words before I go under.