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  • Posted:
  • January 16, 2025
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Jesus, the King of My Heart!

Baptism is a public declaration of a heart transformed by Jesus—a bold step of saying, “Jesus has changed me, and I’m all in!” When a person gets baptized, they’re not only testifying to the change Jesus has made in their lives and their decision to follow Him—they’re also joining Him in the renewal of all things!

During the December 14/15 weekend, we cheered as members of our church family across all campuses took the step of baptism; here is a glimpse of their stories.

VICTORIA HERNANDEZ
“Jesus saved me when I had cancer earlier this year. I suffered greatly from chemotherapy, and it broke me to pieces. I felt hopeless, and I began to beg God to take my life away. One day, when I was crying on the bathroom floor, Jesus revealed Himself to me. He told me not to worry, that I am His, that He created me in His image, and that my identity is in Him.

My whole life I NEVER once cared about Jesus, but as soon as I heard His affirming words and felt consumed in His love, I just knew it was Him. He is so gracious. He healed my body and my heart, and ever since that day, I’ve decided to surrender my life to Him. He has been renewing me, transforming me, convicting me, humbling me, and teaching me to be more like Him every day. I’m thankful for having cancer because, even though it was evil, God used it for good. Jesus is now my Lord and my Saviour, my healer, my protector, the love of my life, my brother, and my best friend.”

MARIE PASCALE INGABIRE MBABAZI

“When I was 22 years old, I started going to church on Wednesdays. I was praying for my visa, and I got it. But when I got here in Canada, it was only Jesus who directed me from day one up to now. I have witnessed Him through my life and family life.”

JU BAO
“I used to be an atheist. I used to believe in myself. I got sick, and my wife started to tell me about Jesus and asked me to pray together with her. I will pray to God when I am facing difficult times.”

Psalm 23:1

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”

JIN CHEN
“I used to believe in Buddhism. When I was having difficulties, God sent different people to help me. When I was sad, I experienced His peace and love. Jesus gave me strength and hope to face my difficulties. I am not afraid of a lot of things that I used to fear, and I have more understanding and love for others.”

Isaiah 43:2

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

JOSHUA KIIST
“Being born and raised in a Christian household, I was very familiar with going to church every weekend and small groups being hosted at our home. During high school times and the following years, I felt like I could handle everything life could throw at me on my own. There was no magical overnight change that happened for me, rather a slow change in heart. The end of a 2+ year relationship left me without very many good close friends, and that’s when the Lord began His work in me.

My sister invited me to a “Friendsgiving” event with a few of her friends. It was there where I met (who later became) my current girlfriend. She was patient with me and helped me along as I rebuilt my faith in Jesus. As weeks and months went by, I learned how to surrender little things to God. Little things soon became much bigger things, which soon led to me fully surrendering my life to Christ once again. In my heart, I know I’ve made this commitment, but it’s time to share it with my friends and my family.”

STEPHEN GOUGH

“I grew up in an Anglican family, and after drifting away and facing multiple life challenges, Jesus was always there to lift me up. So I need to renew my faith and love for Jesus as a ‘thank you’ for always being there.”

HOPE BON-BERNARD
“Jesus is my best friend, and I want to be baptized like Him.”

ROSTYSLAV KRUKIVSKYI

“At the youth meeting, I realized that Jesus is my support in life. He helps me overcome even the toughest moments and challenges. Now I want to accept Him into my life and follow Him.”

 

VITOR DE OLIVEIRA PEIXOTO

“When I was a kid, my parents told me about Jesus, and I went to church with them. But I didn’t really believe in it and the significance of what I was being taught, and I didn’t take my relationship with Him seriously. Last year, though, I went to the 2or3 Church, and something started to feel different. It was like I could feel something inside me changing. Then, I went on a retreat with my church, and that’s when I finally understood. During the retreat, I felt really close to Jesus, and I realized He’s not just someone from a long time ago—He’s my Lord and Saviour. It felt so real, like He was with me the whole time, even when I didn’t know. That’s when I truly knew I wanted to follow Him with all my heart.”

 

ISABELLY DE OLIVEIRA DA SILVA

“Eu entreguei a minha vida no acampamento dos jovens. Eu quero ser batizada na FAC em Português.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

MATHEUS PEREIRA

“I had the pleasure to be born in a house where my parents introduced me to Jesus and His kingdom. I have been attending classes like DiscoveryLand since I was 1 year and a half. My parents always left it up to me to ask about baptism, and about 3 months ago, I approached them and asked to be baptized.”

 

 

 

 

RYAN GRABMULLER
“I got introduced to Jesus in the summer of 2023 by my friend. I started going to church here and there and learning about Him, reading the Word every now and then. I’ve always had trouble with anxiety and overthinking. I thought that just because I went to church and said I was a follower of Jesus, all those feelings of anxiety and overthinking would just disappear, but they never did. I was so confused as to why that was. I saw all these stories of people feeling His presence in amazing ways, and in a way, I got jealous. I thought, why does God give those people a sign, but I can’t find any signs for myself?

That’s when I started praying for the first time. At first, it felt like I was talking to no one, but I started to realize that Jesus won’t force Himself into my life; He wants me to welcome Him into it. I started giving time to Him and praying more and more. I realized that maybe Christ was giving me signs, but my heart was so closed off that I didn’t notice. The moment I started opening my heart to Him and to the Word, I instantly felt those feelings of anxiety and overthinking disappear.

Jesus Christ gave me peace and calmness in my life and provided structure. I’ve walked with Christ beside me in everything I do since then.”

KEMI KARIM

“I used to be a lukewarm Christian most of my life until my friend brought me to her youth group. I grew in my relationship with God slowly and built a community with other Christians who helped me through my journey. Although it took time, I feel I am now at a point where I am ready to take the next step after feeling God telling me to get baptized. Through my testimony, I realized Jesus is my Lord and Saviour, and I want to commit to Him.”

ELIANA FORDHAM
“When I was 4, my mom told me about Jesus, and I accepted Jesus as my Saviour. I pray to God and decided to follow Jesus and get baptized. Jesus made a difference in my life by washing away my sin and forgiving me for all the wrong I’ve done.

I want to get baptized because I want to follow Jesus, be reborn, and live a truthful, Christian life. When I am baptized, I will have God in my heart and won’t be scared. My favorite scripture is John 10:10:

“The thief comes only to steal and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

 

ROBBIE BLACK

“My mother has been a devoted member of the church for a long time. I had always had trust issues myself. A few months back, a lot of things happened really quickly in a positive way that I could not explain or understand because they were not of my own doing. Through discussions with others, the only solution was that it was God’s work, so I accepted Him into my life.”

 

 

DANIEL CHALIFOUX

“I have come to know Jesus as my Saviour through overcoming my addiction. He is the only one who has been able to give me enough strength to quit. He has become my Lord and Saviour. My faith has been growing and getting stronger every day since I put all my trust in Him.”

 

 

 

KIMBERLY GETCEMANI BLANCO ARMENTA

“My mom and sister are Christians. I have known God for as long as I can remember, and I have always liked going to church.”

 

 

 


SHANE WARD

“I first became a Christian at about 7 years old and grew up with the church. I was a born-again Christian and for the most part, a churchgoer until I moved to Alberta in 2007. It was when my now 8-year-old daughter started asking me about Jesus that He led me back in a more powerful way than I had remembered. It is over the past year that I have spent and enjoyed the most time wanting to be a follower and servant of Christ.”

MICHAEL GARNER

“Before I knew Jesus I was enslaved to my sins and loved the things of the world.

I was going to Sunday School as a child at the Methodist Church that my parents brought me to. I was christened in that church but as I grew older I began to question myself about christening versus baptism.

When I came to Canada church wasn’t my priority until I moved from Montreal to Alberta. My ex-wife introduced me to FAC and I have attended for about 5 years. I have now decided to take the plunge with baptism because I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and He set the example for me to follow in his baptism.

John 16:33

“In this world you will have tribulation but take heart; I have overcome the world.

If you’re ready to make your faith public through baptism and want to learn more, we’d love to walk with you on this journey! Our next baptism weekend is February 8/9. Let’s celebrate what God is doing together!

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