Woodmen Valley Chapel

Real People, Real Stories

Ashley Anderson (Woodmen Heights)
I don’t remember my life before Christ because I accepted Him when I was three. I came to know the Lord through my parents. When I was ten, I came to understand what He did for me. Since then He has been “my rock and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” I love Him and I know He is building a place for me in His kingdom. I wish to be baptized to show everyone that I am a child of the King.

Ashley Barnes (Woodmen Heights)
Before Jesus was in my life, it was hard to listen during church with my family because I did not know God was the one and true God, our Savior. When my youth pastor started talking about God she asked if I wanted to follow Jesus Christ and let Him be my Savior. Now that I have, I have been able to concentrate only on Him in church. I wish to be baptized because I want people to know that I know He is the the one and only God and my Savior.

Matthew Butler (Rockrimmon)
I have considered myself a Christian since I was young, whether it was my family and me reading the Bible or attending church services. I have tried to model my life by Jesus’ example and wish to be baptized so I can formally show my acceptance of Jesus Christ into my heart.

Michael Butler (Rockrimmon)
I have always been a Christian for as long as I can remember. My family and I love Jesus to the fullest but I have never been baptized. I can’t imagine not having Jesus in my life. He is the reason I wake up each and every morning and I praise Him in every way I can. I would like to formally proclaim accepting Jesus into my heart.

Emily Darnell (Rockrimmon)
My life felt sad because I found out I was separated from God. When I realized I was separated from Him I asked Him to come into my heart and save me from my sins. I feel like my sins were taken away and I don’t feel guilty any more. I wish to be baptized because I want everybody to know that Jesus is in my heart. I also want to share Jesus with others and love others in the way that Jesus loves me.

Mindy Dick (Woodmen Heights)
I am privileged to have been born into a Christian family to parents who are missionaries. For as long as I can remember I had heard about Jesus. At five, I made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ. The reality of what Christ had done for me did not completely impact me until later in elementary school. Throughout my life there have been moments and seasons that I have been unsure, distant and cold. I have often thought about getting baptized but each time I felt the timing was not right. Recently, I began thinking about it and on May 6, when Matt preached, I knew in my heart that this was the time. When Matt shared about the people who made baptism part of their lives and the symbolism of being marked for the service of God, I felt as if the Lord said to me, “Don’t you think it’s time?” In light of that, I want to be baptized today because I am ready to publicly declare that my faith in Jesus Christ is something that I have received, accepted and chosen, and want to continue in for the rest of my life. As I begin a new chapter in my life this day, I want a new start and commitment. I have come to fully realize and know, with all that I am, the reality of who I am and who I want to be begins and ends with Jesus Christ. He alone defines me and completes me. This day I choose Jesus to make His mark all over me. It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me (Galatians 2:20).

Brock Domann (Rockrimmon)
When I did not have Jesus, I had a horrible attitude and life seemed horrible. One night at church, when I was 6 years old, I prayed that Jesus would come into my life and that came true. Jesus has made a difference in my life because my heart is now red with life, joy and happiness instead of black with sin. I wish to be baptized because then I will be clean inside and will have more love to give others, starting with my family.

Craig Domann (Rockrimmon)
My life before Jesus was empty. Achieving goals did not make me feel fulfilled. Since accepting Jesus Christ, I have noticed the biggest difference in our family life. We are more aware of our hearts and where they need work. We abide in Him in all areas of our lives. I have a more active conscience and a more eternal perspective. My perspective has changed from expecting that Jesus would revolve around my world, to me revolving around Him. I want to make this outward and public act to acknowledge and obey Him.

Johansen Domann (Rockrimmon)
When I was 7 years old, my mom was reading the Bible and telling me about Jesus and God. One night during our Bible reading and prayer time, with my brother and mom as my witnesses, I professed Jesus as my Lord and Savior. With Jesus in my life, I feel safer and happier, and I feel His presence in all aspects of my life. As an example, when I play soccer and play well, I know that it is all Him. I wish to be baptized because I want to show everyone that I have chosen Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I know that this baptism will cleanse me inside my body and help me to live a life more like Christ’s.

Rylee Domann (Rockrimmon)
Since I can remember, I have always been in a Christian environment and believed in Christ. Hard times have brought me closer to Christ. In the last year or so, I have drawn even closer to the Lord and have confessed and given everything to Him. The Lord has made me a better, kinder and more successful person this year and I want to draw closer to Him. I feel that to draw even closer to the Lord, I need to be baptized to start a brand new life in Christ, and that all the bad habits and actions of my life will be washed away.

Teddi Domann (Rockrimmon)
At the age of 16 years old, while on a church retreat, I confessed my sins and gave my life to Jesus. Since that time, my life has been complete and never lonely. Although I’ve experienced lows, the lows have never been without hope because of my love and trust in the Lord. In the past 10 years, I have left a life where I pursued my own goals and have surrendered my life to His purpose. I wish to be baptized because I believe the Lord is calling me and each member of my family to make this public acknowledgement and to cleanse our hearts, souls and lives in new ways that will bring Him praise and glory.

Garrett Dominguez (Woodmen Heights)
My life has never been without Jesus; however I have come close to losing my faith. In the past year I have been changing. I have been seeking Jesus in a new light and a new direction. I have been feeling a longing inside me to turn back to what I almost lost and now I am ready to give my life to Jesus completely and to submit to His word. I want to be baptized to surrender to His Word.

Jonathan Dravecky (Rockrimmon)
I have been a Christian since I was five years old. My dad was the one who led me to the Lord. God has always been amazing to me and has blessed me in so many ways. I feel it is now time for me to give Him the respect of publicly declaring my love for Him.

John Eilerman (Rockrimmon)
Four years ago, a seed was born in me to be saved and although I thought I had been a “Christian” all my life, I followed a religious practice rather than a relationship with Christ. I really never knew Him – something was missing. It’s been a long, hard, scary and amazing journey over the last few years. I’ve tried self-help books, attended seminars and Bible studies, talked to Christian counselors, etc. I finally came to the conclusion I will never get it right! Never! I’m not worthy and I think I finally understand what that means. My attempts will never be enough. My only hope is in grace and faith which are provided in love through our Lord Jesus Christ, His Father our God, and the Holy Spirit. I love Jesus and am tired of just getting my feet, maybe my hands, maybe my head and sometimes my heart wet. I’m tired of double-mindedness. I want to be submerged in His blood, which is life. I want singularity of mind, spirit and body. I want my life to reflect His life in every aspect, in every way, in every action, in every thought, in every breath. I need His forgiveness, grace, compassion, comfort, love and so much more. I want His everlasting and unending change in my life. Please Lord, take this sinner – free me and change me. Let this Christian be quiet no more! Let your Holy Spirit rule my life. I can’t do it alone anymore. Immerse me Lord.

Ashleigh Elsner (Rockrimmon)
My life before Jesus was confusing. I was three or four and I didn’t know the purpose of Church. Then I asked Jesus into my heart and things changed. Jesus came into my life through my dad. The difference He has made in my life has been tremendous. He has taught me right from wrong. When I pray He listens. I wish to be baptized because I would like to wash away my sins and have a fresh start with Jesus.

Christian Elsner (Rockrimmon)
Jesus came into my life when I was only five or six when I didn’t really know what was happening but I asked Him to come into my life several more times after I understood what it meant. The difference Jesus has made in my life is that I know someone is watching me and helps me up when I fall down. I have someone telling me right from wrong. I wish to be baptized so I can be a new person with my sins washed away and I can fully have Jesus in my heart.

Doug Elsner (Rockrimmon)
With the urging and encouragement of my father, I asked Jesus into my heart at a very early age. Something was immediately different but I wasn’t quite sure what. Twenty-eight years later I realized that I need Jesus to not only be my Savior, but my Lord too. Now that I submit to Him as both, He continually fills my past emptiness with faith, hope and love and encourages me to pass these along. I now want to proclaim who I am in Him by being baptized in front of my family and the people who mean the most to me.

Kim Elsner (Rockrimmon)
My life before Jesus was empty. I was raised Catholic and went to church regularly but I never engaged with Jesus or the Bible. I never really had a relationship with Him. Since coming to Woodmen Valley two years ago, my relationship with Him has changed. Eighteen months ago I accepted Jesus into my heart as a Christian. Now I have daily conversations with Him and trust Him with both the good and bad times. I want to be baptized to show the world my heart and strengthen my relationship with Him even more.