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  • July 11, 2024
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I Choose Jesus!

One of the ways we can join Jesus in the renewal of all things is to choose to get baptized! It’s a meaningful step symbolizing leaving behind the past and pursuing a fresh start with Jesus. Here at FAC, we love cheering on and encouraging one another as we all discover and journey through what life in Jesus means. Let’s dive into stories from those who took this step back in April!

 

JOSEPH SCHELL

I accepted Jesus when my dad taught me about Him. Jesus took care of my family. I want to be baptized because God commanded it.

Matthew 26:39-40:

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.

 

ISAIAH BURT

I accepted Jesus when I was 4 years old. Jesus has always helped me in tough times. I want to take the next step in my faith to be baptized.

 

NAOMI BURT

I gave my life to Jesus at the age of four. As I became older, worries and school distracted me from Him. I realized I needed to change. I choose to go all in for Jesus now because He saved me and loves me.

 

IVANA MEHARI

I have known Jesus my whole life. I feel that Jesus is there for me no matter what, and I want to be with Him for the rest of my life. Jesus has made me realize that no matter what, He is always there to guide and help me during hard and easy times. I choose to be with Jesus, and I want Him to take more of me and give me more of Him. I am ready to commit.

Ecclesiastes 12:13:

“Fear the true God and keep His commandments, for this is a whole obligation of mankind.” 

 

MISGANA BAYRU

Before I knew Jesus, my life was a mess and inadequate. I don’t even know if I can describe how I felt back then. My heart always felt like I was missing something. I would try to search for happiness by hanging out with friends and doing entertainment all day long to make me happy. I started to read the Bible and went to church. I was able to understand that only Jesus can fill the emptiness in my heart. I saw all the pain Jesus went through for us and how He never gave up on us. Jesus gives me inner tranquillity; I know that I am loved. He gives me constant companionship, and Jesus has formed me to be a better person.

Jeremiah 29:11:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 

JAIMIE CUMMINS

I have felt for a long time as if I was just moving from day to day with no real purpose, one foot in front of the other, trying to avoid disasters and keep my head above water, and feeling little connection to anyone or anything else. I was a church-going Christian from my childhood to my teens but left the church during a season of struggle in my life. Recently, my young son had been requesting to try church and indicating to me that he wanted to be a Christian and have a relationship with Jesus. A friend suggested that I try FAC. I was nervous about returning to the church after such a long absence, but when I walked into FAC, everyone was so warm and welcoming. Sitting through the service that day brought such a sense of peace to my heart. I have had anxiety for years, but Jesus’ presence that night calmed my worry. I remember an overwhelming feeling of being HOME where I am known, cherished, and safe. It felt so right to be back. Jesus has renewed my connection to the world and helped to calm my anxious heart. I am a work in progress, but for the first time in my adult life, I am okay with being a work in progress and not perfect. He has given me the gift of self-acceptance.

Proverbs 31:25-26:

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

Philippians 4:4-9:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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 Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

TRISTA WILLSON

I want and need to give myself to God. He is the only person who looks out for me or who loves and protects me. I choose Him as my Saviour forever.

 

SUSAN BERNARD

I grew up in a Christian home, and I asked Jesus into my heart when I was a young girl, but I have never been baptized.

 

DANIEL JACOME

I was born in a Christian home. I know Jesus because of my parents’ teaching, and I want to live for Him because I know He is my Saviour. He has made many miracles in my life, especially in the last 8 months I have been in Canada. He has been my Father, my provider, my guide, my support. I have no doubt that He is with me and my family. I want to be baptized because I know the Lord is my Saviour, and I want and choose Him to live in my heart forever.

Psalm 23:1:

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

ADRIAN JACOME

I was born into a Christian home, and I accepted Jesus in my heart when I was four. God has done so many miracles to help us, and we are very thankful. I want to be baptized so I can be closer to Jesus Christ. My favourite scripture is  Philippians 4:13:

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

 

GABRIEL TEMBO

I came to know Jesus through my mum and dad and by going to church.

 

LUCAS VILLEHEUVE

My life before was sad and boring, and I never felt super joyful. My parents showed me how to be a Christian. The difference Jesus made in my life is to know Him and worship Him, which made me happy and warm inside. I want to be baptized because I heard a verse that was amazing and touching.

Galatians 3:26-28:

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

 

LAURA MAZZINO

I have known the Lord all my life and was born into a Christian family. I accepted Jesus at the age of 13. Jesus is everything to me.

John 4:14:

But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

 

PAULI BAUMANN

I was brought up in a Christian house where a personal relationship with God was always encouraged and promoted. At the age of 18, I had the good fortune to live and work in Israel. Experiencing the sites of the Holy Land moved me to make a true commitment.

 

JACOB JANZEN

I have always known Jesus since I was born into a Christian family. Going to church and praying felt like a chore. I struggled with anxiety, and it was hard for me to be happy. God sent some people into my life at the right time. Through friends from school and youth groups, God spoke to me. I have seen how amazing He is and that He loves me, even though my past wasn’t great. I decided to make a change, to choose a life for Jesus instead of for myself. Jesus has made so many differences in my life; I am happy and can always find something to be thankful for. I no longer struggle with anxiety, and I want to grow my relationship with Jesus. One of my favourite verses is Philippians 4:6-8. My youth leader shared this with me, and the reason I like it so much is because it tells us how to live our lives, to pray about everything, and to fix our thoughts on what is honourable and right. I want to be baptized because I believe it is the next step in my relationship with God, to proclaim that I am living my life for Jesus and leaving my old life behind. I also want to be baptized because the Bible tells us to.

 

EMMA WAURYNCHUK

I didn’t know much about God. I have been learning about His teachings. I have more love and friends. God loves me.

 

STEVE ADJUYA

Jesus will always be with me until the end of age. I cannot live without the Holy Spirit in this life. Every step of my life needs to be with Him watching over me. There is nothing stronger in this world than His love for us.

2 Chronicles 15:7:

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.

 

AUDREY LESLIE

I accepted Christ when I was 6 years old. I am now 11 and have developed a more personal and deep relationship with God through church and youth group. In the last few weeks, I have been feeling that being baptized is the next step in my relationship with God. I feel ready to publicly declare my faith in Christ.

 

ANONYMOUS

I grew up Catholic and went to Catholic school until grade 9. Church was one of my favourite times. I went to a public high school, stopped going to church, and fell out of religion. From high school until now, I have sinned a lot and made many poor life decisions. I suffered from crippling anxiety and depression, had problems regulating my emotions, and chose to use alcohol as my coping mechanism, which became a vicious cycle of poor decisions, anxiety, and depression. During COVID, I started drinking more and developed a problem with alcohol, which led to losing my dream life ranching and a divorce.

I went to treatment and realized there was a higher power but I was confused with all the information online and was integrating different practices with Christianity. I ended up relapsing but had not fully surrendered to God and had not developed a relationship with Jesus. After my final relapse, I chose to fully surrender to God, started reading the Bible, and realized how much I did not know about Jesus and God. Once I fully surrendered and accepted Jesus as my Saviour, I finally experienced a calm, peace, and joy that I had never known. I am finally feeling free and hopeful from the shackles that addiction had bound within me. I choose Jesus!

 

To choose Jesus is the best adventure: are you ready? Check out the next online Info Session to find out more about taking the step of baptism. Do you have kids or know students who are thinking about getting baptized? Our Children’s Ministry or Student Ministries teams are here for you!

 

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