August Baptisms

August 27, 2020 | KSC News

Following are the testimonies of those baptized the weekend of August 29 & 30, 2020. Join with us in celebrating this step in their walk with Christ.

 

Marielle Sipe                                                                    

I grew up in a Christian family, and believed in Christ when I was very young. For the longest time I went to church, knowing it was a place I could fit in, and go to, without needing a personal reason for it. In my mind, I knew God existed. But He was never something I really wanted.

Over a year ago, my mind was restless; constantly overthinking personal trials, and recent mistakes. At that time, I would always blame someone, or something else for my failures; justifying my own comfort. I thought I was never the problem. But, I also was never the solution. My mind was never at peace, no matter how much I wanted it to be. I could never fix myself.

Until one night, last September, I was thinking, and trying to sleep. My mind was too chaotic. I kept fighting what I knew I needed to do. It was to let go of my life, and surrender it to Christ. I spent hours, lying in bed, staring at a blank ceiling. Until suddenly, in the chaos of my mind, there was a present thought that took over. It felt mysterious, yet, at the same time familiar. It repeated that intuition; that I needed to choose; me, or Him. What I wanted, or what I needed. It was as if for the first time, I knew Christ’s presence was in the room. It was that night I committed my life to knowing and serving him. It was that night, I finally knew peace and purpose.

As if being born blind, and finally seeing for the first time; Jesus became the only thing I wanted, as I began to know Him more and more. Life didn’t become easier, but it did become simpler. My heart and habits were changed because of Him. I finally discovered somewhere I belong. There were still many trials that followed after that night; confusion, doubt, depression. But there were also many blessings that came. Confidence, trust and discernment. Every trial that was given built and tested my faith; it also grew a friendship with my cousin. Autumn Stouffer and I have been good companions for many years. But this past one has basically made us sisters.

Because of the work that the Lord has done in us, we’ve connected on a level we would have never imagined. Both of us have grown together in Christ, which is why we have both decided to be baptized. To get us out of our comfort zone, but more importantly, to symbolize the cleansing, that was done in our hearts.

Anisha Horst                                                                        

I knew God loved me and died for my sin and that I needed to accept his forgiveness.  When I went to camp last year, I asked Jesus into my heart.  Afterwards, I felt like a new person.  Life was easier because I had a better attitude and God helped me to be more kind.

I want to be baptized because I feel like that is what God wants me to do.  I want to show others that I am a Christian so they can pray for me.

Noah Lehman                                                             

I grew up in a Christian home and I accepted Jesus into my life when I was about 6 years old in our kitchen at home.  My mom prayed with me and I asked forgiveness of my sins and asked Jesus to come into my heart.  I always knew that this was something that I wanted to do.  I knew I wanted to go to Heaven and I knew I needed Jesus in my life.

Thankfulness is a part of my joy in worshiping the Lord.  He has blessed me and given me a great family, good education, friends and many opportunities.  I’m thankful that I have Jesus in my life and that He is always there to help me.

I haven’t really needed to rely on God for anything specific yet.  I know He’s there for me.  I know I’ll encounter struggles in the future and I know He’ll be there for me when those troubles come.

I know that the Lord protected me and my siblings when I was in 2nd grade on the way to school.  We could have been in a terrible car accident, but I know God protected us from tragedy that day.

I’m ready to take this next step to be baptized today.  I know it is the next step in my faith journey and I’m ready to publicly make my commitment to the Lord.

Autumn Stouffer                                                       

I have always believed in God but I never lived my life fully for Him.  I accepted Jesus into my heart when I was five.  Ever since then I was always just living a comfortable life.  I could never step out of my shell because I was always too shy and nervous.  I grew up going to church but I never had a strong relationship with God.  I never put God first and He was never really on my mind.  I always thought believing in God and knowing He was there was enough.  I would always use the excuse, “I’ll grow closer to God when I am older.”

In February, I started to seek the Lord and I desired to grow closer to Him.  In April and May, I acted on it and started to change from my old ways.  Then, in June, July, and August I have just been growing in my faith.  At first it was hard because I wasn’t willing to put in my part of the relationship.  I expected God to do it all.  The virus caused me to be home since I wasn’t in school.  This allowed me to dedicate time to Him.  I started to read my Bible daily and really try to understand His word.  I started to talk to Him more and I opened up my life to Him.  God also put me in situations that made me get outside of my comfort zone and stand confident in my faith.

 

Plan now for our next Baptismal Service the weekend of October 24-25. Video taping of testimonies will be done on Sunday, October 4 and Sunday, October 11.  If you are interested in participating, please contact Molly Shull.

 

 

 

 

Share