Woodmen Valley Chapel

Real People, Real Stories

Stephen Medlock (Rockrimmon)
Ever since I can remember, I’ve always believed in God. My parents told me about Jesus and how He saved me. Now it’s time for me to stand up and tell everyone how thankful I am for what He did. And I will one day teach my children about Him. I wish to be baptized because I want to show that I am obedient to Jesus Christ our Savior.

Laura Meeter (Rockrimmon)
To be honest, I do not even remember my life before Jesus. I grew up in a Christian home. I went to church and Sunday school, and I attended a Christian school. Throughout my life, God’s word has been drilled into my mind. I basicially do not know what a life without knowing Jesus is. I accepted Jesus into my heart when I was very little. I still remember the time and place of the event; sitting in my mom’s bathroom, my mom helping me with my prayer to accept Jesus into my heart. My whole life I never doubted this decision. But, it was not until my senior year of high school when God’s glory became very apparent to me. I started to appreciate the blessings He has given me. I began to love Him more and more. I began to make my faith my own, not just memorizing and quoting scripture or going to church; I began to really seek a personal relationship with God. When I entered college, it was a test for me to stay strong in Him, but by surrounding myself with good people and being confident in my faith, God has opened door after door to let me see His love and glory. I wish to be baptized because I love the Lord with all my heart, mind and soul. Because of the great commission, I want people to see how His love and glory are shown through me by being baptized!

Lisa Meeter (Rockrimmon)
I have wanted to be baptized for a long time. I have been a believer for most of my life and baptism was pressed upon me, yet I never had an obvious sign to take that next step. The sermon two weeks ago hit my heart hard and I knew the Holy Spirit was giving me a clear sign to finally be baptized. I want to show, publicly, that I am a believer of Christ and take the next step to becoming more like Christ in my life. The Holy Spirit is guiding me to do this and I will follow.

Jennie Murphy (Woodmen Heights)
When I heard the Pastor’s message on baptism, I realized I had been baptized six years ago but I did not hear the truth in my heart. I had no way of knowing the witness it could have on my soul as well as others until I finally heard the Word of God through John. I could sense that I wanted to be baptized again, as the Pastor called some to do, but thought it’s already done and a little drastic. I wasn’t relying on it for salvation. Salvation is drastic. I want my life to change now, not later!! It is hard to believe that sometimes I just can’t stand prosperity without my doing it on my own, but He is there for me. This baptism is a witness to me that I’m not the same as I was. I know I might look the same, have the same personality, but I am not living for the same end as I used to.

Kelsey Opel (Rockrimmon)
I’ve always loved Jesus. I’ve been raised in a Christian home but I never really understood how much He means to me. At the beginning of last year, Jesus started slipping out of my life and did not seem as important to me anymore. But during this year, with the help of family and friends, I have finally come to understand that life without Jesus is impossible. Jesus has made me a better and happier person. I want to be baptized because I want to show Jesus how much I love Him and show Him that I am willing to do anything for Him.

Robert Opel (Rockrimmon)
I have been going to church for many years but still felt like something was missing and was not right with my life. This last year, Jesus led me to Bible Study Fellowship. Jesus has come into my life and shown me the way (Romans 10:10) – for it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Jesus has opened my eyes, heart, and mouth and has given me a new life and hope. I want to be baptized to show my commitment, love, faith and trust in the Lord Jesus.

Rachael Ortega (Rockrimmon)
I have always had Jesus in my life, but I did not have a personal relationship with Him. Even being happily married with five children, a part of me always felt lost; something was missing. I began attending Woodmen Valley Chapel in January. Having a personal relationship with God has made me feel full. I don’t feel lost anymore. I want to be closer to God. I want to be an example for my children and my family, and I want them to have a relationship with Jesus, as well. Jesus has always been in my life and He’s always taken care of me. Now I want to show Him how committed I am to Him.

Greg Popke (Rockrimmon)
Before Christ: renunciation, rebellion, walking in darkness, doing things “my way,” excessive use of alcohol, sexual immorality, financial irresponsibility – following the world, the flesh and the devil. Jesus came into my life after my former spouse left me, when I was led to a lay-Christian counselor who led me to Christ on Dec. 14, 1983. Christ has shown His light in all of those dark corners of my life, helping me become financially responsible, sexually faithful and overcome alcohol abuse. Although I still sometimes stumble and fall, He is always there to pick me up and restore me. I was baptized as an infant into Catholicism, but I was never baptized as an adult when I accepted Christ into my life.

Jonathan Redfield (Rockrimmon)
I have grown up in a Christian home so I don’t know anything different than before becoming a Christian. When I was very young, about six years old, I remember wanting to pray with my mom one night. She asked why I seemed upset and what I wanted to pray about. I don’t remember why I was upset but I believe the Holy Spirit was impressing upon me to make this decision to follow Jesus with my whole heart. As I grew physically, my parents helped me grow spiritually. Because I was in AWANA for about eight years I definitely memorized a lot of the Bible. The best part about that is the Holy Spirit helped those verses be real to me in my heart. That makes it easier to live the Christian life rather than from my own strength. It makes me wonder how anyone can live without God in their life. The reason I want to be baptized is because I want to live the right way and follow God, also I want to minister to other people especially my own age.

Jack Roy (Rockrimmon)
Before Jesus, there were times when I was selfish and thought that I should have anything I want. Sometimes I was mean to my brother. When I was three years old, I went to church school and my teacher told me about Jesus. My Papa and Mama told me about Jesus. I believe in Jesus and He is in my heart. I now let others go first and I don’t think that I should always get whatever I want. I want to be baptized for the glory of God.

Justin Roy (Rockrimmon)
My life before Jesus was like this - it was all about me. I thought I deserved everything and sometimes I didn’t make wise choices. Jesus came into my life this way – I went to church for the first time and I learned that Jesus died on a cross and that I can only get to heaven through Him. That was good news for me so I let Him into my heart. He has made a difference because I am nicer and I share things. I wish to be baptized because I love Jesus.

Shannon Roy (Rockrimmon)
My journey before Jesus came into my life was one of wandering – drifting along wondering what my purpose was. I had a place in my heart that still remained empty despite everything I thought would satisfy it. Jesus came into my life on December 24, 2002 when I confessed I was a sinner and accepted Him as my Lord and Savior. Jesus has filled that place in my heart! I now know I have a purpose and my journey has an eternal destination! I wish to be baptized because I love Jesus and I want to be obedient to Him. Thank you Jesus for loving me, hearing me, healing me and saving me.

Wally Roy (Rockrimmon)
I have chosen to step forward this weekend and be baptized as a commitment to my family, my community and my Lord Jesus. I was fortunate enough to grow up learning about Christ, but did not make the connection that knowing about Him was not enough. My life was simply all about me, lived with little regard for long-term consequences. The Lord sent three men into my life - one to nudge me back to church, one to invite me to accept Christ and one to be an example of how to live. Through the witness of these three men, I have given my life to Christ and progress daily in living more for Him and living less for me.