Woodmen Valley Chapel

Real People, Real Stories

Matt Shrimplin (Woodmen Heights)
I was so little when I accepted Christ that I don’t even remember my life before. I don’t even remember the age I accepted Him but I do remember the moment it happened. The biggest change I have felt in my life is having a friend with me constantly. Not just with me but in me, someone to carry me through the tough times and celebrate the good times. About a year ago my relationship with Christ grew a lot. I want to be baptized to celebrate the growth and mark the beginning of continuing to grow.

Christopher Sisco (Rockrimmon)
My life before Christ was failing to satisfy an internal emptiness with the things of this world instead of the Holy Spirit and God’s intentions. Jesus placed a man named Morgan in my life during my work at a YMCA summer camp. It was the seed he planted and a small parable from a pastor that awakened my heart to see that all I needed was Jesus as my Potter, and nothing else. Jesus has transformed my life, my heart, and my mind in many ways, but most importantly, he has revealed to me that if I focus my eyes on Him and His Kingdom, through obedience and discipline, He will reveal to me treasures of His Kingdom and the blessing of being adopted as His son. I wish to be baptized for two reasons: one, to humble myself before the Lord and show my obedience to my Savior in Jesus Christ and to give thanks for His payment on the cross. Two, to testify before the church, my friends and family, and my Lord, Savior and Daddy that I am prepared to put on the armor of Christ and fight the good fight until He comes back to redeem us as His children.

Christine Sprinkle (Rockrimmon)
I grew up in church but it seemed all rules, no relationship. I existed and longed for more out of life. Coming to Woodmen was no accident, and through stages - the sermons at Woodmen, The Romans Class, the book The Case for Christ, and reading through the Bible - God has been setting me free. It’s a miracle! I pray continually that God continues to transform me. It’s exciting and scary at the same time. I want to be baptized and am offering my head, hands, heart and feet to the only God and Father and my Lord, Jesus Christ.

Eric Sprinkle (Rockrimmon)
My life with Christ has always been the quiet story of accepting Jesus at a young age, growing up in the church, and walking the generally straightforward path God had for me each day of my life. Life over the last 3 years, though, has become a rollercoaster ride of testing, training, and change while following God’s new direction in my life. God seems to be up to something big in my life as He grows my faith, develops my abilities, and walks me through new and challenging experiences. My desire to get baptized is for two simple reasons - 1) to follow God through this door He’s opened and 2) because I most certainly want Him to have my head, heart, hands and feet in whatever He has in store for me next. I remember something Matt said as Launch Your Faith was starting up, “Step out in faith and prepare to be amazed.” Almost 3 years later, I can only smile and think, “You better believe it!”

Todd Stokes (Woodmen Heights)
I wish to be baptized because I have been talking myself out of doing it for thirteen years. During the service I came face to face with the fact that I have been struggling with and denying what Jesus, the Lord of my life, has been telling me I need to do.

David Tweedy, Jr. (Rockrimmon)
I have known Jesus since I was a baby. Jesus has made a difference in my life because I can go to Him if I have a problem or if I need help. I can help many of my friends or family with their relationship with God, and be an example to those who do not yet have one. I wish to be baptized  to strengthen my relationship with Jesus.

David Tweedy, Sr. (Rockrimmon)
I remember life prior to accepting Christ as being chaotic and unfulfilling. I accepted Christ in 1991, during a training event at Ft. Bragg, NC. He has been a patient, steady guide in growing my heart away from the world and toward our Father’s will for my life. I desire to make my heart a renewed place for him, ad to do so publicly to honor Him.

Diana Tweedy (Rockrimmon)
I have believed in Jesus ever since I was a baby. Jesus has changed my life because whenever I’m scared He’s always there and He answers my prayers. I wish to be baptized because I want to feel clean in my heart and become a stronger believer in Christ.

Tetiana Tweedy (Rockrimmon)
By Ukrainian tradition, I was baptized when I turned 18-months old. From an early age I knew that somebody was watching over me, but my knowledge of Him was very limited. My life before Jesus was very unpredictable, difficult rather than easy, and potentially dangerous rather than safe. When I got married and moved to America, my life changed radically. Thanks to my husband, I accepted Jesus as my Savior in 1996. From the time I received the Lord I began to feel Him working in my life. I wish to be baptized because I want to deepen my walk with the Lord, move into everything God has for me and become all He made me to be.

Jennifer Van Horn (Woodmen Heights)
I was baptized as an infant and have always known Jesus and prayed to Him. However, a few years ago, I realized my relationship with Jesus was not as serious as it should be and I was not living my life as a follower of Christ should be. Since then, I have learned a lot about Christ’s love for me through my time studying the Bible. My relationship with Jesus Christ has grown tremendously deeper and more personal. I am now living my life with the goal to please my Savior. I wish to be baptized today to show that I am re-dedicating my life to Christ.

Clarence Vaughn (Woodmen Heights)
My life before Christ had no hope, no faith – just doing things on my own. People have been witnessing to me, especially my mother who was saved and her life was changed. She became a different person. The difference Jesus has made in my life is faith, truth and hope to overcome anything. I wish to be baptized because I want to rededicate my life.

Brian Withers (Woodmen Heights)
My life before Jesus was a life of uncertainty and difficulty.
How Jesus came into my life…this occurred while in college. I was going through some rough times in school and being away from home and he helped guide me through those hard times. The difference Jesus has made in my life has been wonderful. I have opened myself up to new things and this has had a direct impact on me, in the way I treat and welcome others. He has made such a difference. I wish to be baptized because I want to show the Lord my commitment to him and commit to spreading the Gospel. I have wished to do this for a long time and I am finally making my commitment to him.