Woodmen Valley Chapel

Real People, Real Stories

Jimi Flowers (Rockrimmon)
When I was nine, I accepted Christ and was baptized. I have always believed in Jesus, but I got off the path in college and throughout my 20’s. My life was disorganized and I was living the “good life” from a human standpoint. In the early 90’s, God took a 2x4 across my head. My heart was full and I rededicated my life to Him. Since then I have tried to follow the Word, and have been reading, praying and seeking to learn. He has made me a better husband, father and friend. I was never re-baptized as part of my rededication. I have been extremely blessed with my family and kids and I want to glorify God and be filled with the Holy Spirit. It’s been on my heart to do this.

Lisa Forbes (Rockrimmon)
My life before Jesus was lonely and frightening. I was a young child at Vacation Bible School when Jesus came into my life and He has never left me. He stayed while I grew up in an alcoholic, violent home. Through that small church, I experienced the love of Jesus and the welcome knowledge that this world in not my home. I wish to be baptized because coming from a non-Christian home I never was, and at this time I want to publicly declare my love for, my faith in, and my obedience to Jesus.

John Ford (Woodmen Heights)
These past few months have been some of the hardest times in my life. I was losing faith in God. The Holy Spirit and God’s love have slowly brought me back to put my full trust in God’s word and His son, Jesus Christ. I want to outwardly show my love for and commitment to our God and Savior Jesus Christ and put my hope in God that He will bring me through these difficult times so that I can be used for the rest of my days on this earth for His purpose.

Katie Garvert (Rockrimmon)
My walk with Christ has been my source of hope and comfort since childhood. However, my commitment was not strong until I really understood God’s grace and unfailing love for me. I want to be baptized to symbolize the renewed commitment I made to the Lord nine years ago. I am in awe walking on the true path of salvation and am continually humbled at how God always meets my needs. He strengthens me to be a better wife, mother, friend and person – I am so grateful.

David George (Rockrimmon)
Before Jesus, I never looked at the big picture and thought my course was determined by me alone. Whatever went right was because I made it go right. Heather and I moved to Colorado Springs in the year 2000 because I made a bad business decision, but this brought Jesus into my life. I slip once in awhile, but I try to include Jesus in all matters. I’m building a great family of church friends and rely on their prayers and advice. I was baptized April 5, 1958 when I was just twelve years old. The ceremony was just a ritual and had no real meaning to me. It’s time to get off the margin and onto the page. Matt’s message on May 5th moved me deeply. I want to get real.

Erik Gustafson (Rockrimmon)
My mom led me to Christ when I was 4 years old and I have tried to live my life for Christ ever since. As a teenager, I fell away from Christ, but when my brother died, I realized there was no way to make it through this life without Him. In my early 20’s, I attended a Promise Keepers Conference and rededicated my life to Christ. My parents had always left it up to me to choose when I would be baptized and I’d never been convicted about it until Matt’s sermon two weeks ago. I knew that I wanted to be baptized to publicly declare my commitment to Christ.

Jill Gustafson (Rockrimmon)
I always knew who Jesus was but never followed His teaching. I never surrendered my whole life to Him until I was 21. There were many people praying for me and God was moving; He was calling me so strongly it was almost impossible to ignore. I was so convicted that I finally dropped to my knees. My life changed dramatically. I now had a reason to live and God took away much of my sin traps seemingly effortlessly. I wish to be baptized to declare my commitment to Christ. I was baptized as a child but I would like to be baptized now as a true Christ-follower.

Brennan Hanna (Woodmen Heights)
I have been raised in a Christian home my entire life. I have always attended church and have always tried to make the right choices. But about a month ago, I went to a show called Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames. And my life was forever changed. I rededicated my life to my Lord and shortly after that I made the decision to be obedient to God through baptism. I love Jesus and I hope to be a missionary some day. I always want to follow God and I am counting on Him to help me make the right choices and keep the fire burning in my life.

Lauren Hanna (Woodmen Heights)
Before Christ, it was like being in a hot, dry desert with no water. The sand from the dry desert was blowing against me. Another way to explain it is like being a fish tempted to eat a piece of bait, knowing that if I did, I’d get caught. When I was five years old, I accepted Christ into my heart during Sunday School class. God has helped me with my anger, struggles and friends since I have accepted Him. I wish to be baptized because I can be cleansed from my sins and show others how to live for God. I love Jesus and I want to serve Him for the rest of my life, as long as I live. I love you Jesus.

Michelle Hanna (Woodmen Heights)
I have been in the church most of my life. I was baptized when I was in 9th grade. As I cam across the pains and struggles of life, I grew angry and rebellious towards God. This Easter Sunday, I confessed my sins to both God and my husband and rededicated my life to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I choose to show my Lord my rededication through a new baptism – one in which my feet are cleansed to walk for the Lord; in which my hands are cleansed to work for the Lord; in which my heart is cleansed to follow the Lord; in which my mind is cleansed to think of my Lord in all that I do. Lord, use me in whatever way you see fit. Never leave me. I will always follow and obey you to the best of my abilities. I love you.

Tyler Hightchew (Woodmen Heights)
Since Jesus came into my life, I now know that my life belongs to Him. I want to follow Him all of the my life and live my life for Him. I want to be baptized because I want to tell everyone that I have Jesus in my heart and to show that I’m a believer.

Mary Hoffman (Woodmen Heights)
I was baptized as an infant and raised as a Catholic. I actually invited Christ into my life on July 6, 1971. It has been a rocky road at times with highs and lows, but I have never doubted that He was at my side. He is my personal Savior who has carried me through the tough times. He has set me free. I rejoice in His love and thank Him for dying on the cross for my sins. I want to be baptized because I want to make the decision that was made for me years ago. I want to be marked as a follower of Jesus.

John Kolb (Rockrimmon)
For the first 60 years of my life, my religious experience was that of a “church-goer.” I attended Sunday School as a youth, attended church services on a semi-regular basis for most of my life, served on church boards, etc. But something always seemed to be missing. One day a voice said to me, “You need to have a relationship with God; that’s what He wants from you.” It all seemed so simple. On Easter Sunday, 2002, at the age of 60, I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. The relationship grows stronger every day. I wish to be baptized because I wish to confirm on the outside to what I have accepted on the inside.