MK040 Sermons
Baptism Testimonies-First Service (Audio)
My name is Deb Hevener. I live in Reims Town and I have four children and thirteen grandchildren. I have been attending CCC for two years. My hobbies include gardening, sewing and crocheting. I was born and raised in Lancaster County. My childhood was very difficult. My parents were alcoholics and worked in local bars. Alcohol became a close friend of mine at age eight. I was also at that time that I began to walk to Sunday school. I learned about God and Jesus as a little girl. I tried to read the Bible, but I didn't understand it. Whatever I was in trouble, I would call out to Jesus and ask for help. I was married at age sixteen, first daughter born at eighteen and divorced at nineteen. Alcohol and drugs were a constant part of my life, consuming my days and my nights. I followed in my parents' footsteps and started tending bar at age twenty. When my daughter was born, I wanted to start my life over, but I didn't know how, and I just seemed destined to live like my parents did. I continued to cry out to God for help in a pinch. Over the next few years, I had three more daughters. I was working full-time and part-time jobs, and I needed childcare. That's how I met Doreen Gensimer, who runs a daycare in Denver. She started watching my daughters, and we became friends. Another event that was influential in my story was when I went to a North American Indian powwow. While there, I heard prayers to God the Creator and talk about the sacrifice of Jesus. I constantly cried out to Jesus for help in raising four daughters, and it seemed God would occasionally answer my prayers. About ten years ago, I became more interested in God and spiritual things. I began to listen to Christian radio and TV preachers, and it was curious. I couldn't make sense out of life and thought it might be time to end my life, but by the grace of God I couldn't go through with it. Five or six years ago, it all made sense to me. I realized what Jesus did for me. It was amazing and overwhelming. I kept telling myself I didn't deserve it, but I understood that he died and gave his life for me, and I came to put my faith in him. Alcohol was no longer part of my life, but shortly after that, I was diagnosed with cancer in 2011. I didn't know if I would live through it, but again, God brought me through it. Three years ago, Doreen started talking about her church, CCC. She gave me a Bible from the church, and just talked about the difference that had made in her life. I started to read the Bible, and slowly over time it began to make sense to me. My grandson also kept inviting me to CCC. Our first visit changed my life, the music, the message, the feeling of family, and the honesty of the pastors. I judged for my appearance, and I cried tears of joy for the acceptance I experienced. I now understand what Jesus did for me. I have accepted his free gift of salvation. I now have a purpose in my life to live for Jesus and let others see my life. I thank God for forgiving me, and I have a desire to read the Bible and to be consumed with it. A verse that is meaningful to me is Jeremiah 2911. For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. In the water with me as my friend Gail, who is a constant encouragement to me in my faith, today I am being baptized to tell the world that I love Jesus. I am his, and he can do whatever he wants with me. I am honored and humbled to belong to him. Deb, thank you for your story. ♪ It's an amazing testimony of God's grace and the fact that he clearly has a plan for you. And we're very honored to be a part of that story. And anybody that knows you knows how much you are Jesus. So today Deb, based upon your public profession of your faith in the Lord Jesus, we baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. ♪ I've got your glasses. ♪ ♪ Thank you all. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ My name is Dakota Trainer, and I live in Denver. My family is kind and supporting. I am in the ninth grade, and I go to Kocalico High School. I love to play basketball and video games with my friends. My life was very confusing and crazy before I accepted Jesus as my Savior. I was always trying to be better than everyone else. I always felt alone like I was missing a friend or someone to talk to. I went through some tough times. When I was younger, my cousins went to a youth group called Crossfire. I really wanted to go, so I did. Every week they would teach me things like how to pray to God or a Bible memory verse. My parents always went to church and always told me about God, and we would always pray before eating. When I was young, my parents said that if there is something wrong, go to God because he can work miracles. They told me what God did for me and how much he loved me. I needed God because he was a friend and was always there. He gave me a person to talk to. I went to my youth group one night and they asked if anyone wanted to accept God into their life and said that it was once in a lifetime chance and something told me to do it. So I did, and I felt totally new. Before God was in my life, I felt empty inside and always felt alone. Everywhere I went, I felt like something was holding me down. Since I found God and accepted him, I feel happy, and I'm never alone. Since then, I feel like nothing can hold me down anymore, like it all left me. I wanted to thank my mom and dad because all throughout my journey, they always kept pushing me to learn more. John 3 16 is meaningful to me because it showed me how much God loves me. Today, I'm here to be baptized because I want to show everyone I am a child of God and Jesus Christ is my Savior. Dakota, thanks for your story. It's obviously God has used you even at a young age to be influential, even as we just heard in your grandmother's story as well. So today, we want to baptize you because of the profession of your faith and the Lord Jesus Christ is your Savior and the Lord. We want to baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Congratulations, Dakota. (Applause) My name is Jamie Ward. I live in Denver, the Bowmanville area. I work for the Sharp Shopper in their corporate office as the HR assistant. I have been married to my husband, Gary, for almost 11 years. I have two young boys, Mason 7 and Carson 4. I grew up going to church most Sundays. I spent a couple of summers attending camp at Camp Meneline. I spent my middle school and high school years attending youth group at a Manuel Mennonite church. Though my time spent in youth group, I realized that I needed to accept Jesus into my heart. I needed His forgiveness. I realized that it is the only way to bridge a gap between me and God. Through this, He has brought me peace by forgiving my sins so that I may one day enter the gates of heaven. I prayed and invited Jesus into my life and was baptized through the Mennonite faith on August the 2nd, 1998, at a Manuel Mennonite church. Knowing Jesus has given me comfort for the grace and mercy extended to me daily. I want to be baptized to reconfirm that I have accepted Jesus into my heart and to acknowledge that I need Him. I would like to thank my mom for starting my journey by taking me to church. I would also like to thank all of my youth group leaders for teaching and molding me. A verse that has been meaningful is 1 John 1 verse 9. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Today I am here to be baptized because I know I need Jesus in my life. Jamie, you have a very unique story just across the hall. I married Jamie and her husband Gary 11 years ago. This was Jamie's home church, the church she grew up in before God brought her to CCC. God used that Emmanuel in your life and God is now you CCC in your life. Jamie, I have watched you faithfully walk with God. It is exciting to see you take this step today. Jamie, based upon your public profession, your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and your desire to reconfirm and declare that today. We baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Congratulations. (Applause) (Music) (gentle music)