Woodmen Valley Chapel

Real People, Real Stories

Susan Snyder (Rockrimmon)
The Bible speaks of how Jesus went to John to be baptized. When John asked why Jesus came to be baptized by him, Jesus said, “It is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Baptism is a symbol of the salvation we have through Christ. It depicts his death, burial and resurrection. Over 20 years ago, I received the gift of salvation by accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I desire to be baptized today in obedience to Jesus’ command to be baptized and to have an outward representation of the salvation I already have through Christ.

David Stevens (Rockrimmon)
My life before Jesus was mostly a series of disappointments. At a particularly low point, I prayed for the first time in almost 25 years. In the two years since, my eyes have been opened to the truth. My prayers have been answered in ways I could not have imagined - the blessings I have received; the peace I have felt. I want to be baptized because I want to tell the world I am a Christian and I never want to go back to the way I was.

Rebekah Stevens (Rockrimmon)
My life before knowing Jesus was very miserable. I found Jesus through AWANA. I see the blessings that God has blessed me with. I wish to be baptized because I really want to show people that I really love Jesus.

Cindy Stroup (Woodmen Heights)
My life before Jesus wasn’t bad by the world’s standards. Good career, good family, good health and good friends that prayed for me. I never knew that it was important to ask Jesus into your heart until a Woodmen Valley Chapel Women’s Retreat and life has never been the same. Where there was impatience there is now patience; where there was fear, now there is hope; where there was always a race to run, there is now the victory; where there was emptiness, there is now joy. I wish to be baptized because of what Ephesians 4:23 says: …to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Carole S. Tacinelli-Field (Rockrimmon)
My life before Jesus was all about me. My God loves me so; He was and always is in my life. I was at my lowest when I chose to allow God full reign of my life. First, when my mother died, as I was by her death bed in 1992, begging God not to take the only person on this earth who loved me unconditionally. God touched me literally with a peace that passeth all understanding and said “I will be your shield and exceeding great reward.” Then again in November 2005, I gave my life to God as I sat praying earnestly “not my will but thine Lord.” I laid my every concern at God’s feet. I believed God to provide my every need from that moment on. The difference God has made in my life is life, an eternal mindset that my Redeemer will accept me on Judgment Day. Baptism is my humble desire to express my worldly self to my Heavenly Father, for my name is written on His palms. For that I am so grateful.

Tiffany Vartanyan (Rockrimmon)
I became a Christian when I was seven years old. Although I’ve been a Christian for a long time, I believe that I have never truly known God. Finally, He has quieted me enough for Him to share with me who He truly is and I love it. Jesus is the difference in my life. He has changed all parts of me and is continuing to do so. I am a work in progress and this baptism is a way for me to publicly share just now much Christ means to me since He is continually sharing with me just how much I mean to Him.

John Vilcek (Rockrimmon)
Three years ago, a friend of mine helped me to understand how to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Since I’ve received Christ, my life has been constantly changing. I want to be baptized today to publicly proclaim my faith, that I belong to Him and I want to obey Him.

Melissa Volkmann (Rockrimmon)
I was not raised in the church and refused to be married in one. After the birth of our daughter, I was facing the diagnosis of MS. While in the MRI machine, I was really scared and cried out to God for the first time in my life; then I was completely at peace and was healed. I began attending church regularly because I wanted to learn more about this amazing God who healed me. A year later, I surrendered my life to Jesus. I am no longer wandering aimlessly day to day through life and know I was made for a purpose. Jesus is with me through all the hardships and joys, and I want to be baptized as an obedient declaration of faith to show that Jesus is my loving Lord and Savior.

John Wood (Rockrimmon)
I have know Jesus all my life but gradually we drifted apart. Years ago I found myself desperate, lost and alone, begging for Jesus to take away the hurt, the anger, the desperation – and He did! I gave my life over to Jesus and began a relationship with Him that continues to this day. My life, with Jesus as a part of who I am, has been blessed beyond belief. I wish to be baptized as a testament that I bear the mark of Jesus and as an expression to God that I have given my life to serve Him.

James A. Zietlow (Rockrimmon)
I was baptized as an infant in the Lutheran Church. Jesus has been in my life for as long as I can remember. Only in the last few years have I really started to understand truth and what it means to have Jesus lead my life. It is time now, to publicly acknowledge His sacrifice as my Savior, give thanks for the multiple blessings He provides and thank Him for the wonderful privilege and opportunities to serve our one true God!