I Follow Jesus!
During the July 23/24 weekend, 18 people took the step of getting baptized at FAC, showing others they’ve said “Yes, I follow Jesus!”. Here are some of their stories:
WAYNE MCINTOSH
“Well, there hasn’t been one event in my life that has brought me to know Jesus as my Saviour — it’s been more trying to understand how I got here, why I am here, and who is responsible. Since our children have grown and left the ‘nest,’ I have had the time to reflect, and I have begun to feel something deeper going on in my life and a sense of peace when dealing with life’s day-to-day challenges. Over time I have attended FAC Christmas services, more out of a feeling of obligation than anything, until this past Easter when my wife suggested we go to Easter service.
Once there, I felt a somewhat overwhelming feeling, particularly when we were invited on stage, and certainly out of character for me, I felt tears in my eyes and a real sense of peace! The next week, when my wife was out of town I decided to go to the Saturday service on my own and I had the same feelings. After the service, I had a chance to talk with Pastor Heather, and she gave me the book, “The Purpose Drive Life” by Rick Warren. Over the next 40 days, I read a chapter per day, and my eyes began to open to Jesus – I’m not here for me, for what I want, for what I desire, I’m here for God and what he desires of and for me. I have only just begun my journey with Jesus am looking forward to seeing it unfold. One thing is for sure, it has taken me almost 60 years to understand that God has been with me the whole time.
SAMAN VAFADAR
Before I knew Jesus, my life was convoluted and full of despair. I came to know Jesus through reading the Word of God and decided to live for Him because I found peace and hope. Jesus has blessed my life by bringing me to Calgary, growing my family and giving me the ability for forgiveness.
Proverbs 3:5-6
With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgement. Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.
ADALIA DIAZ
Before I knew Jesus, my life was really hopeless. I was not sure of my identity, and I was filled with a lot of confusion. Upon accepting Jesus into my life, I felt fulfilled and complete.
I grew up in a Christian household, so I was raised in the faith. However, I did not begin to take my faith seriously until I was 15 years old. I began to heavily doubt the faith I was brought up in, and I was unsure of what my beliefs were. Thus, I became determined to seek the truth for myself and I decided to actually pray and read the Bible on my own. Upon doing this, I began to encounter Jesus in ways that I never did before, and soon my doubts and confusion turned to great faith and adoration for the Lord.
Jesus has brought true peace and security to my life. I never knew what true joy was before I got into a relationship with Jesus. I would search for joy in other things, but nothing ever filled me, and I was always left wanting more. However, Jesus fills that longing in my heart and He completes me. Through Jesus, I found security in my identity as a child of God and hope for a better future.
Proverbs 3: 5-6 made an impact on how I want to follow Jesus. Oftentimes I find myself scared of the future and fearing the unknown, however, this bible verse encourages me to trust God and to let go of my fear. Instead of worrying about the unknown, I have to allow God to lead me and trust that his plan is far superior to my own.
THIAGO MORAES DOS SANTOS FILHO 
In my home and at church I have learned that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him. I love Jesus. He is my Rock and my great God. And I have decided to follow Him.
John 14:6:
“Jesus answered: I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me”.
PRISCILLA MAOMBI
I love Jesus. At school and church, I learned about the baptism and life of Jesus, how He died for our sins and got baptized so that everyone could be baptized too. I wanted to be baptized since then. Life with Jesus teaches me how to love others like He loves everyone. Even when we sin, He still loves me. My favourite verse is John 15:5 because Jesus is the vine and we are His branches, which means that as He lives within me, I can do anything with Jesus.
JANELLE UMPHERVILLE
I came to know Jesus at a very young age. Unfortunately I never fully understood why Jesus died, and the importance of him conquering death. All I knew my whole life was that there was one God, through Jesus, and we are saved and offered eternal life with God by accepting Jesus Christ. I only really knew stories about Jesus. As I started to live my life, I knew I was in a spiritual warfare. With my life never really being full of that love and acceptance I was looking for, my sins kept me away from God. I was deceived by Satan and battled with the temptations daily and still do. I was a lost soul crying out asking for guidance, truth, and a Saviour. I was once lost and am now found by my Saviour our Lord Jesus Christ. I just needed to open my ears to listen and follow the truth, and the truth is Jesus. What He says is true and I am a believer.
HEART DIWA
Ever since the time I began to talk, my parents always taught me about Jesus. I grew up also knowing Him by attending church and praying together with my family.
HUGO MAHAL
When I was 4 years old, I accepted Jesus into my heart because He is the great chain breaker. His blood erased my sin and the old sinful Hugo, made me new and precious to the lamb. I want to be baptized to show the church Jesus is my King. My favourite scripture is Isaiah 41:10 because I am held in God’s victorious right hand.
FRANKLIN MEDINA
I believed in God, however, I felt that my faith and joy were not truly there in my life. But that completely changed when I started to follow Jesus from my heart. I truly believe He is my pastor and He has given me peace, hope and comfort in my heart in the midst of the storm. I have felt that Jesus has held my hands and guided me during trouble in my personal life.
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.”
NICOLE DUPUIS
I am a 4-year breast cancer survivor and believe that I want and need the support and faith to stay cancer-free.
CELYNNE DUPUIS
I used to consider myself an atheist for many years. But during COVID, I experienced a great awakening. I know what side I want to be and that I am on and that is the side of Jesus. I pray all the time, even for people I dislike. I had the pleasure of attending your church and as soon as I walked into the building I was overwhelmed with joy and had tears in my eyes. I was nervous to sing but I think with time I will be able to join in. I believe we are in a spiritual war and I’m definitely one of God’s warriors or at least I’m trying. It’s a daily thought process and I’m more and more convinced that I’m on the side of love truth and awareness. I just want to help be the light that helps awaken others to our only light and that is Jesus.
CHANI PORTER 
I was lonely and depressed and regularly thought of suicide. Now I walk in love with Jesus. I have known Jesus my whole life but came to know him as a Christian when my daughter was first born 22 years ago. I decided to follow him when I learned about the life I could have with him. He has filled the gap of a mother, father, brother, sister, husband, and everything I have needed. I would be dead without his love. I would’ve given up long ago.
Psalm 91
He who dwells in the secret place of the most high, will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord he is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.
ALILA SUTHERLAND
I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour one day in church and when I talked to God, I felt the Holy Spirit come through me. The differences that Jesus made in my life were that He gave me hope and faith and He died on the cross for our sins. That reminds me to be grateful for what He has given us. I want to follow Him and to get baptized because I want to show him that I’m sorry for the sins I’ve committed. I want to ask Him to forgive me for my sins, to get closer to Him, and to look at Him as a friend and not just a father.
Psalms 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can a mortal man do to me?
IKHIDE OISE
I accepted Jesus as my Saviour in grade 1 (Christmas season). I wanted to get baptized because I believe in Jesus Christ that he died for me and I want to follow Jesus Christ. My favourite bible serve is: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as Christ Lord forgave you.” (Eph. 4:32). Jesus in my life has made me start reading the Bible more, becoming more patient and also nicer to people.
ALEX SPITERI 
I had always been curious about God growing up and my curiosity grew stronger within the last few years. I wanted to try going to church to see what it was like and felt a strong calling on Easter this year. I decided to tune into FAC’s online service and Pastor James’ sermon truly spoke to me. On this day, I realized I had been saved by Jesus.
After seeing the worship team’s music for the first time, I thought joining the choir would be a great way to dive head-first into exploring my faith. Since then, I have been committed to learning more about the gospel.
TY GROSKY
My journey to knowing Jesus being my Savior began with a deep longing for meaning and purpose in my life. I had many questions about the world, of my life, and I started exploring different philosophies and religions, seeking answers that resonated with my soul. During this search, I encountered the teachings of Jesus Christ and believe I can do much better in life and have found the true meaning of life.
ANDREA ARDIN
Solia no reconocer la presencia de Dios en mi vida. Vivia la vida sin entender que Dios queria tener una relacion personal conmigo. Mi hermana me introdujo al amor de Dios y me explico cuanto El anhela que yo hable con el e invierta mas tiempo en amarlo y tener una amistad con El. Me ha dado paz que sobrepasa todo entendimiento. Me ha llenado de amor. Me guia cada dia para acercarme a el y me da las ansias de compartir las buenas noticias con todos,
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.
If you haven’t been baptized, we’d love to help you take this step! Sign up for an online Preparing for Baptism info session to walk through what the Bible says about baptism, and answer all your questions so you’re ready. Parents, if you have a child or student ready for baptism, connect with someone in DiscoveryLand or Student Ministries today!
You might also be interested in …
- “Taking the Step of Baptism” blog post
- “He Makes All Things New!” blog post
- “Why Baptism?” blog post
