Woodmen Valley Chapel

Real People, Real Stories

Kim Austin (Rockrimmon)
My life before Jesus – I was on drugs. He came into my life when I got down on my knees one day and asked Him to come in because I was tired of my old life. Jesus has changed my life by getting me off drugs and helping me to be a totally changed person. I want to be baptized to show Him that I love Him, to thank Him, and to walk His walk. Jesus rocks!!! Jesus is awesome!!!

Gogi Barbic (Rockrimmon)
My life before Jesus was terrible. I was into a lot of things I should not have been into. Jesus came into my life after I was divorced. Raising two boys was not easy. But God has watched over me and now I know that He was always watching over me. The difference Jesus has made in my life is that He has brought me back to Him in full force and I am grateful. My ex-husband and I are getting remarried and the kids are happy. Now we are a big part of the body of Christ as a family of Christ! I wish to be baptized because Jesus is my Savior and that’s where I want to be. Amen.

Tony Barbic (Rockrimmon)
My life before Jesus was lonely and full of despair and addiction, without purpose, meaning or hope. No friends or family values or motivation of any kind. I was searching for something to make me whole. Being at the bottom of low, thinking of ending a shameful life, I called up Hope Chapel as a last resort. The next words I heard were “Hi, my name is Jerry Christman. I’m here to help you.” I found a reason for living, family unity, friendship, moral values, hope. Jesus has made a difference in my life, keeping me on the straight and narrow. I want to show my dedication, be tied into the Christian community and stay focused. My purpose in life is to serve God and do His will.

Alexia Bastiaansen (Woodmen Heights)
My life before Jesus was good but lacked purpose. I felt that something was missing that gave my life direction and drive. After a week of steady prayer, and the support of friends, I gave my life to Christ at a Younglife camp in Saranac, New York after my senior year of high school. The difference Jesus has made in my life is completeness, the permission to be who He made me to be and the time and grace to work on it. I wish to be baptized because I want to obey God in a public way and allow it to be a stepping stone for continued obedience.

Steven Bastiaansen (Woodmen Heights)
Being raised Catholic meant that God was always there, somehow never far away, though never in a place of prominence. For many years, I went through the motions, punching a religious time clock, never realizing there was so much more. To be baptized is, for me, a necessary step in my journey to live the life I believe God intended for me. It represents an opportunity to solidify my connection with Jesus Christ; a connection that, in my youth, I let wither away through my own self-centeredness but that is now growing stronger with each passing day. It is another step in a life of obedience to Jesus Christ.

Bill Bramley (Woodmen Heights)
My life before Jesus was a sense of insecurity and uncertainty. Jesus was introduced to me by a couple of older teenage boys when I was a young teen. Jesus has truly been my Guide, Security, Comforter, Counselor, Forgiver and Hope for tomorrow and eternity. I was baptized as a child; however as an adult I desire to again surrender my life to Jesus publicly through baptism by immersion. This is a prompting of my heart by the Lord that I love and want to follow and serve forever.

Nancy Bramley (Woodmen Heights)
I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior at the age of six. I am so blessed that my sins are forgiven and covered by the blood of Christ and that my sins will no longer be counted against me. Jesus paid a tremendous price on the cross for me – how arrogant to think that any of my sins are too great for Him to forgive. I was baptized as a teenager and now desire baptism by immersion out of obedience to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Ken Conklin (Woodmen Heights)
I accepted Jesus into my heart and life when I was eleven years old. I was also baptized at that time. Over the years I have gone my own way, giving in to my desires and way of fleshly living. The whole time, Jesus has been there. He gives me hope and assurance of God’s grace and mercy. You know that hole and emptiness inside? Jesus fills it with Himself. This recommitment is the time, here and now, that I am making to show what Jesus has done in my life. To “mark” this period on the timeline of my life: to show that I am saved and a child of God.

William Cutkomp (Woodmen Heights)
My life from ages 16-60 was self-centered. I put work, money and drinking before God and family. At age 60, I had a blocked kidney. I tested positive for cancer. I was devastated. I prayed and promised God many things. I wanted to change my life. After praying, I had a peaceful feeling that everything would be alright. My prayers were answered. After accepting Christ, I have peace about my eternal future, a good relationship with family, and am truly concerned about others. Matt convinced me that my walk with Jesus should be completed with water baptism.

Graham H. Davis (Woodmen Heights)
I came to know Jesus on June 21st, 1980. That day marked an end to a long search for meaning in my life. Christ swept me away in His amazing grace. He became the driving force for everything I did for many years. I wish I could say my relationship only deepened with every passing year. Years passed and my affections waned with mounting disappointments. I gave God my agenda and He failed to adhere to it, imagine that! I’ve even blamed Him for my failures. It is past time to lay down my agenda and surrender to my loving Father. May this public profession of my faith mark a new course.

Trent Douglas (Rockrimmon)
I want everyone to know that I am a Christian.

Mark Edwards (Rockrimmon)
As a child, I grew up in a Christian home, went to church and always believed in God. Although I was living a moral life and tried to do good, there was always the question of whether I was good enough. In 10th grade, everything I had learned came together and I gave my life to God. Christ’s sacrifice and God’s grace are sufficient so I no longer worry about being “good enough.” I was baptized at eight years old but I wasn’t a Christian. I want to be baptized as a Christian and follow the example of Jesus.