Baptisms – February 28, 2021

February 24, 2021 | KSC News

Following are the testimonies of those baptized during the 9:30 services on February 28, 2021. Join with us in celebrating this step in their walk with Christ.

 

9:30 a.m. Service – Baker Center

 Jenna Weyandt                                                                      

I grew up with a Christian family, but we didn’t attend church very often. The times when we did is when I felt most at home and most accepted. I was a very shy child and I had trouble connecting with people because of this. When our Pastor led the altar call one day, I felt the calling and need to accept Jesus in my heart, and I did that day at the age of 11! Accepting Jesus that day made me feel like I had someone in this life that truly cared for me and loved me unconditionally. I trusted that God would be my constant friend in this life. This began my search for God which mostly included conversations with my aunt and parents searching for answers to life and to my problems.

Only after getting married and attending services on my own as an adult did I recognize the need for a personal relationship with God and knowledge of the Bible. Beginning our lives together as a newlywed couple made my faith even stronger. God had brought me a companion to endure this life with. We lived happily for 3 years being married in Pittsburgh and then decided that we wanted to start a family. Shortly after I got pregnant with my daughter Rylie. We were so extremely overjoyed and happy that God had chosen to bless us with a child. Unfortunately, my husband ended up in the hospital fighting for his life after an esophageal tear while I was 30 weeks pregnant. He was transferred to a hospital in Pittsburgh where he underwent surgery and spent two weeks recovering.  I prayed often and knew in my heart that God was there with me during this time both in helping my husband heal and giving me the knowledge that I needed to care for him when he got home. Thankfully, my husband was fully healed when my daughter was born in March 2015 and we were able to enjoy our newly formed family.

I felt so much closer to God after having my daughter. She was my little ray of sunshine and was such a pleasant baby. She was always smiling and was just a very content little lady. We were loving life and enjoying our new little bundle of joy. At 4 months old we got a little concerned that my daughter was not meeting the milestones that she should be; our daughter’s physician told us that every child develops differently and not to worry. So, we prayed about it and returned to the doctor at 6 months. Unfortunately, our daughter had what they thought was a seizure in the office. We were sent to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh to see a neurologist. We had our families praying like crazy for us that it wasn’t seizures and that she was just delayed. When meeting with the neurology team they decided to admit her and do an MRI. They found out that her brain had not formed partially in the frontal area of her brain. The physician then came in and gave us earth-shattering news that our daughter may never walk, talk, or lead a fully typically life ever. We were absolutely devastated. At this time, I was crumbling apart praying that the doctors were wrong and that she would be fine.

Shortly after this we found out she had a genetic condition called Angelman Syndrome. Unfortunately, this syndrome comes with a seizure disorder that left my daughter struggling with even the most basic needs, such as eating on her own, walking, speaking, and eventually even breathing on her own.  This brought my faith back a few steps because I struggled with the fact that God would allow my daughter to struggle this way. I remember my husband and I praying constantly for healing for my daughter and praying for the doctors to find answers to help her. We tried to enjoy every moment we had with her but witnessing her struggle was exhausting mentally and emotionally. I was falling apart, and I didn’t turn to God as often as I should have during this time. I was so exhausted I was running on survival mode trying to lean on my own understanding and trying to find a medical solution to help.

Although I do not know that I will ever understand this side of heaven the reasoning behind my daughter’s struggles and ultimately her death; I do know that God gave that precious little girl to me. My love for my child and my husband is something that allowed me to know wholeheartedly that God truly exists. My love for my daughter, Rylie also gave me a new understanding of God giving up His only child for all of us, including me.

Only after beginning my new job here in Chambersburg did I begin to turn my life back to God. I began seeking after a church and was recommended to attend King Street Church from a coworker. This fellowship and my Bible studies finally made me realize that God still has a purpose for my life and He still has good things in store for me. It was only at this time that I realized the need for me to pray to God for Him to forgive me for not leaning on Him and trusting Him above all else in my time of need. I think that the strongest part of my testimony is the fact that this life has thrown so much tragedy my way and God has gotten me through all of it. He has been faithful to me even when I was not faithful to Him. Even when I was stumbling, He did not allow me to fall. I pray that my testimony is powerful for anyone struggling in life and allows people to know that there is still hope ahead of the struggle in this lifetime through God!

My newly renewed faith has brought so much peace and happiness back to my life. This has led me to reading and studying my Bible daily. My husband and I began praying daily, taking all our concerns to God and entrusting Him with our lives fully. Now when we are having difficulty in our life or are seeking answers it brings us directly to God for the answers. Leaning on God has helped me in so many ways including improving my mental health, my marriage, and my relationship with my family. I realize more now than ever, that even when I had trouble with my faithfulness to God, He was always there to help through even the most difficult of times and He always will be.

 

Rick Weyandt                                                                            

I grew up in a Christian family but we rarely went to church.  My aunt always made it a point that I went to church with her and my cousins when I visited.  She helped me realize that I needed Jesus as my Savior.  I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior at church with my aunt when I was a young teenager.  She has always been the example in my life of following the Lord.

It wasn’t until I grew up and married my wife that I started to attend church regularly.  Luckily, my godly examples grew when I met my wife’s aunt.  My wife’s aunt and uncle’s marriage has become another main example in my life of following the Lord.  They showed me through their happy marriage, that if you put the Lord in the center of your marriage it will prosper.  I also learned that I needed and wanted a personal relationship with God.

Newly married, God had blessed me with a companion that loved the Lord as well.  It definitely makes life easier when you have a spouse that wants to live by the Lord as well.  We lived happily together for about three years in Pittsburgh when we decided to move back home and start a family.  We were blessed with a baby girl, Rylie.  We were so happy.  We were shown a love that we have never experienced before and a feeling that if we love this child this much, the Lord’s love is undefinable.

The Lord has brought me through two near fatal hospitalizations.  I had a car accident when I was seventeen, a record-breaking injury, that I should not have survived, but the Lord brought me through.  Almost 9 years later, I sustained another life-threatening injury when my esophagus tore.  It turns out there was a stricture caused by my car accident that caused a weak point in my esophagus.  I was ambulanced to Pittsburgh hospital and taken to surgery immediately.  My wife at the time was 30 weeks pregnant with my daughter and was frightened.  I had no fear of the surgery.  I told my wife, don’t be afraid, the Lord will bring me through this; and He did!

I did, however, struggle with my faith after finding out my daughter had Angelman Syndrome.  Enduring the setbacks and declines with my daughter really caused me to question everything.  But also, not having the answers as a special needs parent led me to lean on the Lord and trust Him with my life and my daughter’s life.  In fact, the trials and heartaches of the hardships my daughter faced and eventually her passing, has built my faith stronger than it has ever been.  Even though some days are harder than others, I know the Lord is with me and will bring me through it.

We moved around after losing our daughter, trying to find where we fit in.  We found King Street Church and feel like this is the church we have been looking for.  I feel that because we are putting the Lord in the center of our life, it is brighter again.  I feel at peace.  I am not constantly worrying or having anxiety attacks.  We are happier again and our marriage is like it was when we first got married.

 

Bethany Feltman               

I was 4 years old when I accepted Jesus in my heart.  I don’t remember what I was like before I asked Jesus in my heart, but I know Jesus is helping me make better choices now.  Since I asked Jesus in my heart, I know him better.  My Sunday School teachers and my parents helped me learn more about Jesus.

I wanted to become a Christian because I want to have a closer relationship with GOD and learn about Him. I know I need Jesus because I can’t always do things alone. When I am alone, I know GOD is protecting me. I have seen Jesus changing me by helping me make better choices and not get upset with people if they do something bad to me. I want to be baptized because I want to show the world that I am a Christian and a believer in GOD.  I also want to be baptized because I want to have a closer relationship with Jesus.

 

9:30 a.m. Service—Sanctuary

Owen Book                                                                               

On March 22, 2016 I asked Jesus into my heart.  It was bedtime, and Mommy was reading the book, My Heart, Christ’s Home.  Mommy told me that this book was a Christmas gift to me from the Children’s Department at King Street Church.  After she finished reading the book, I told Mommy that I wanted to ask Jesus to come live with me, just like He did with the boy in the book,  So, Mommy helped me pray to ask Jesus to live in my heart.  Then we went and told Daddy and my little brother.

Before I asked Jesus into my heart I disobeyed my parents a lot.  I wanted to ask Jesus into my heart so that I can go to heaven and spend eternal life with God.  Now I try my best to obey God and listen to my parents.  When I am tempted to be mean to my brother, God helps me to be kind to him.

I want to be baptized so that I can let others know that I believe in Jesus.  I want to live how God wants me to live.

 

Plan now for our next Baptismal Service on Sunday, April 25. A baptismal class will be held on Sunday, April 11 at 10:30 am in the Connection Hub and video taping will be done on April 18, or by appointment. If you are interested in being baptized or would like to learn more, contact Molly Shull.

 

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