We just wanted to share the grace stories of two college students who were baptized this week. Praise God for his activity in our college ministry, Ignite!
“I’ve always believed in God, but I never really knew what it meant to “follow God.” I didn’t grow up with a Christian family and I never went to church when I was younger. Coming to college, I was so excited about all the freedom, parties and nights out. I didn’t realize it would be so much more than that. I met Liz at work in the fall and she asked me if I wanted to come to ignite. I was a little skeptical at first because I wasn’t sure what to expect. After that first night, I knew immediately that I wanted to change my life and I needed to keep coming back. Ignite has changed me so much and has definitely made me a better person. Being surrounded by such positive, God-loving people has really opened my eyes and encouraged me to follow God’s Word, not societies. I want to be baptized to start over and live a new life as a child of God, and to show everyone my newfound love for the Lord. I believe that Jesus died on the cross so I can live. He is my Savior, my hope, and my light, and I am forever grateful for His sacrifice. ”
“My whole life I had been clenching my fists and denying a truth that is undeniable. In January of this year I finally accepted Jesus Christ into my heart. The second I said those words I felt a weight that had been on my shoulders my whole life lifting away. I was overcome with joy and could barely contain myself. Since that night, when I was saved and made new, God has been shaping my heart. There were so many times in my life when something worked out perfectly exactly when I needed them to and I said to myself “that’s crazy, I can’t believe that happened.” Now I say, “I can believe that happened because I know my God is good!” Through the word of the gospel and worship I have begun to pursue Jesus with fervor. I know that he paid the ultimate sacrifice for me, so that a broken sinner could be saved. I was saved despite being so undeserving, because Jesus’ love for me is unending. Now I get to be in relationship with my Savior forever, and my life has never been so amazing. It took my whole life until now, but just like the gospel said he would, God took a broken me and made me whole this year, and for that I’m blessed.”