Woodmen Valley Chapel

Real People, Real Stories

Seth Grotelueschen (Rockrimmon)
I am thankful for the gift of having been raised in a wonderful, large Christian family that possessed a rich heritage of faith. I have known Jesus to be the true Son of God and, through His sacrificial death and bodily resurrection, my Redeemer for as long as I can remember. I was baptized as an infant but, while I am thankful for my parents' act of faithfulness, over the years I have come to believe that being baptized should be a personal choice and the public declaration of a believer. I have to confess that for several years I lived in a sort of hypocritical state, encouraging (and watching) my children be baptized as believers, and yet not personally taking this step myself. My baptism today is very important to me and is an (overdue) act of obedience, which I joyfully choose to do.

Jeremy Hayes (Rockrimmon)
Before Jesus came into my life I didn't really understand everything that went on in my life. Now that He is in my life, I've come to Him for help to understand. He has changed my outlook on many things and has caused my actions to change, as well. I'm very happy that He is in my life now. I wish to be baptized because it's an outward showing to everyone that I have accepted Jesus into my life.

Bryan Haynes (Woodmen Heights)
I came to know Jesus at an early age. I was baptized as an infant and was instructed in the life of Jesus for the next 17 years of my life. The next chapter in my life lasted 21 years where I knew right from wrong but lived wrong. I came to Woodmen Valley Chapel searching for direction and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior! Accepting Jesus has allowed me to walk the illuminated path of life blessed by God's grace. I choose baptism now to identify with Jesus and to declare publicly I am His servant.

Andrew Heard (Rockrimmon)

My dad has been a pastor since I was born, so I know about the Bible and all the parables, but I didn't really start to grasp it until he took me to the baseball field of the middle school by our house in Michigan and explained the most important thing anyone can ever explain to another human being. He told me how we are separated from God by sin and there is no way we can get to God through our own works, but there is something we can do and that is to accept and believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and bridged the gap between us and God so we can be with Him forever in Heaven. He drew the so-called "bridge principle" in the infield of the baseball field and showed me the two cliffs and that God is on one, we are on the other. Between us and God is sin and hell, but when Jesus died on the cross, He made a bridge and that idea continues to be with me and will be with me for the rest of my life. Even after that experience I still didn't fully understand the meaning of being a Christian. Only in the last few years have I begun to see that being a follower of Christ is to have a personal relationship with God, not just to go to church and sing a few songs. I want to be baptized to testify that I feel like a new Christian in all that I am learning and how I am developing my own relationship with Jesus.

Joel Heard (Rockrimmon)
I received Christ when I was five years old with my dad. Since then Jesus has definitely made a difference in my life. He has helped me through the good times of my life and through tough times as well. He has always been there for me through prayer, when I've needed Him. He has made me feel like there isn't something missing in my life. I want to be baptized because I want to publicly proclaim that I am a follower of Christ.

Stephen Heard (Rockrimmon)
I became a follower of Christ when I was seven years old. I came to church like everybody else but I felt that there was something missing in my life. It was Jesus Christ - He was missing in my life. It started with my friend. He said all my friends were Christians but I wasn't. So I started talking to my parents about it. That's how I became a follower of God. God has made a huge difference. I talk to Him when I need help, He strengthens me when I am weak and He helps me when I need help. I want to be baptized to show people that I am a follower of Christ and a servant of Him and that He is always with me wherever I go.

Rick Hoffman (Rockrimmon)
I wish to publicly profess my faith in Jesus Christ through the sacrament of baptism. I am making this commitment because I believe it to be a necessary step to take on my journey toward spiritual maturity. This is a step I have been skipping over for much too long. I desire to become an obedient servant and disciple of Christ and know that in order for this to occur, I must submit to the cleansing baptism provides. I pray that God will use this act of obedience as a first step in transforming me into the person He wants me to be.

Mary Johnson (Woodmen Heights)
Since I was a child, I have loved Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I was raised in the church and baptized as a child. I have had various paths along my journey and I know He has been with me all along, even when I have wandered or not walked closely with Him. Not until my early 30's did I begin to really pursue God. I was beginning to know God in a different way. In 2000, I had a car wreck. As I was going off the road and calling to God (and during the events that took place immediately following), I knew the Holy Spirit was all around me. Realizing this, I was instantly changed and was given a new life, a new creation in Christ! I have learned much more about baptism, heard believers' testimonies and witnessed baptism. I feel strongly led by the Holy Spirit to be baptized as an adult.

Braden Jones (Rockrimmon)
I asked Jesus to come into my heart when I was six. I was sitting on the couch and decided it was time. Now I feel like it's time to be baptized, with my mom, so people will know I love Jesus. I want to be with Him in Heaven.

Leura Jones (Rockrimmon)
I first accepted Christ when I was 10, but it wasn't until my dad died (when I was 17) that I really started walking with Him. Now I'm twice that age and knowing Jesus, growing in Him, and becoming more and more like Him are my top priorities. It is now time to make baptism a priority. I'm ready to make this public statement out of obedience to God and as an example to my four children. I am so blessed to be getting baptized alongside my son, Braden.

Daryl Kahl (Woodmen Heights)
I was baptized as an infant and have always been in the church. In fact, when I was 12, I had 12 years of perfect attendance. I made a public statement of faith in the fall of 1983 in Dallas, Texas but I was a Christian before then, even though I can't point to a specific date. I wish to be baptized now, of my own free will, to say publicly that I love the Lord and want to serve him every day by applying His word to my life.

Sheri Kaufman (Woodmen Heights)
I was raised as a Christian and I have always been a follower of Christ. I was baptized as an infant and always thought that was good enough. After hearing Matt's sermon on May 6, I realized it is time to make that commitment as an adult and as a person who is still happy to call Christ my Savior!

Rod King (Rockrimmon)
I was baptized in Los Angeles in 5th or 6th grade, miles away physically and spiritually from where I am now. My wife and I moved to Colorado Springs 14 years ago, to be near the mountains. Little did I know what growth awaited me spiritually. My re-baptism is a public declaration to the church community of Colorado Springs, which has served me and I have served for the last 14 years. Most importantly, my re-baptism is in obedience to God's Word.

Jeff Koeppel (Rockrimmon)
I was raised in a Christian household and baptized as an infant. I've believed in God my whole life, but became a born-again Christian 10 years ago. I want to be baptized to publicly acknowledge this choice and to continue growing and strengthening Christ's presence in my life.

Dan Lankford (Woodmen Heights)
I put my trust in Jesus at a very young age. At the age of 14, however, I became very ill and really began to understand faith and the amazing grace of God. Being very shy as a child, I could never build up the courage to stand in front of a congregation to publicly declare my faith. I have always had a longing to be baptized and it is time. Jesus is the Lord of my life and has helped me through very trying times. Today I publicly declare my faith and acceptance of Jesus as my personal Savior.

Sarah Lankford (Woodmen Heights)
I grew up attending a Methodist Church. I was very active in youth group, choir, mission trips and Sunday school. Even though I was active in church, I never really knew about having a relationship with Christ until later. In college, I went through a rebellious time and did a lot of bad things and never went to church. I always felt that God was calling me back though. It was a few years after college that I started going back to church. It was then that I accepted Christ and truly believed. I've wanted to be baptize for awhile but now I'm ready to do it. Jesus has made a huge difference in my life.