Woodmen Valley Chapel

Real People, Real Stories

Paul Matthys (Rockrimmon)
I have always been a believer in God, but I never fully understood His love. I have always tried to control my life - I had all the toys a man could want, but I didn’t “get it.” I had relationships and what I thought was the good life, but I didn’t “get it.” A friend invited me to a Sunday service. It started a small fire in me that became a bonfire. I finally “got it” - the good life I was looking for; the life of God’s glory and grace. I am being baptized to show my dedication to God.

Michelle Musseau (Woodmen Heights)
My life before Jesus was that of angst, regret and hate. I hated what I was, what I’d become. Jesus sought me out through my mother; she showed me that life was easier and much better through Him. Jesus has shown me that hate is something that is too tiring to live with. I can always talk to Him and He will always listen. I want to be baptized because I want to declare my love for Him and make it public!

Aneesa O’Connor (Woodmen Heights)
Before Jesus entered my life, it was filled with many idols, worries and heartache. Jesus came into my life patient and understanding. He has brought me so much strength, hope, worth and happiness. To forever know He will never deny me and love me for who I am is worth more than anything in this world. I wish to be baptized to show the Lord my loyalty and devotion to His love and selflessness.

Felicia Popescu (Rockrimmon)
I was a person who cared too much about what other people thought. I knew something was missing and I tried to fill the emptiness with people. I was tired of trying to please everyone, and feeling like I had no more to give, I started to search for the only One who could really help me. A friend invited me to her church and God’s presence was like nothing I had ever experienced before. One Sunday morning, while the pastor was praying, he asked if anyone wanted to accept Christ into their life. I knew God was talking to me at that moment, and I stood with shaking knees and asked God to come into my life. I can’t explain how amazing I feel, but God is with me – I am no longer alone and I am truly loved. I have a different perspective on life; I am confident in who I am and I truly have a best friend. I want to be baptized to make a commitment to God.

Jacki Reistad (Rockrimmon)
I was raised as a Lutheran and completed the rituals of baptism and confirmation. I was active in the church as a teenager, always believing there was a God and that Jesus was my Savior but never having a relationship with Him. I felt that God blessed me with talents and abilities but was prideful, believing I could “go it alone” with what I had already received. After some self-serving decisions, I decided to place myself in God’s role of judge. Although I knew God forgave me, I decided I should not be forgiven. I spent years wearing masks and striving toward hollow pursuits. Through God’s grace I have come to know in my heart that I am to be weak and dependent rather than strong and independent. I choose to be baptized to publicly profess my faith in and acceptance of Jesus as my Lord and Savior and my commitment to humble myself by trusting to live out of who God says I am.