On Easter Sunday, 68 people expressed their faith through baptism at a special Baptism Celebration. “It was one of the top ten most meaningful experiences in my Westwood journey,” said Pastor Joel. People of all ages and from all backgrounds came forward to share what Jesus has done in their lives. These personal stories remind us that God is pursuing each of us, meeting us where we are and drawing us closer to Him.
Baptism Faith Statements
David Acheson
I love Him. I trust Him. I believe in Him. From this day forward, I will be with Him forever. I am so excited about this moment. He is my Savior!
Allison Anderson
The day I accepted Jesus Christ into my life, my heart has never been so free and open. He accepts me for who I am. My will is to give that back to the world. This baptism is my declaration to live my life to serve and be faithful to God always.
Talitha Anderson
Growing up as a Pastor’s Kid, God has always been in my life. When I gave my life to Him at age 8, He became more than just my Savior, He became my friend, who has gotten me through hard times, which is what I want to proclaim through baptism.
Michelle Barnes
So very thankful for proclaiming Jesus Christ my Savior, I had walked away from Him for many years. I now feel truly blessed and set free. I am in recovery and thrilled to be baptized and walk in newness in life with Jesus.
Kiernan Becker
Last year I was invited by a friend to Wednesday nights, and at camp last summer I decided to follow Jesus. Today I want to share with others the decision to follow Jesus and the change He has made in my life.
Jen Brodahl
I have always been a follower of Jesus. However, did not have a personal relationship with Him until later in life. My desire to be baptized is to declare my love and commitment to this relationship and to acknowledge He is my Savior.
Zoee Brodahl
God works in ways we may never understand. I always knew He existed and that He was there but I didn’t really feel Him in my heart until a 6th-8th youth group called Boost, where one day the message just clicked. With Him I felt much happier. During a mass service we were prompted to go up and fill out an information card and I felt like if I didn’t go I was going to regret it. So, I stood and that brought us to today!
Denise Carney
My life has always had God in it. However, as my faith has grown, I want to personally and publicly commit myself to Jesus Christ as Lord of my life.
Sue Craig
My mother introduced me to Christ when I was a child and at the age of 4, I accepted Christ as my Savior – yet I was never baptized. As I look back over my life I can see where God was gently nudging me and calling me closer to Him. Today I deepen my faith through baptism and I will continue to revel in the best He provides me, now and into the future.
Michelle Crouch
Jesus Christ has resurrected my Life. He called out my name, and I ran out of my grave, into His light. By His salvation and grace, I am here today. I proclaim He’s my Savior, I place my faith and life in Him.
Shannon Dodds
I have followed Christ since a very young age, but I have never made an outward proclamation of my faith through baptism. I feel God is calling me to make a deeper commitment to Him now by being baptized.
Ashton Downing-Grenz
I want to have God in my life and let Him know that I am committed to Him and only him as my Lord. Jesus says to be baptized when you are ready to trust your life to Him and I am ready.
Danielle Downing
I thought I was living with God in my life. I felt I needed to recommit to Jesus and lead by example. Easter is the time for new beginnings and I felt compelled to start again.
Beka Dunham
During a difficult season, I realized I cannot do life alone. Thankfully God was there and showed me that true joy is in Him alone. Today I commit to following Jesus and trusting Gods path for my life rather than my own.
Bethany Eggers
Since receiving Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I have felt God working on my heart and creating positive changes in my life. As my relationship with Jesus continues to grow, so does my understanding of the unconditional love He has for me – it is amazing! I want baptism to be the next step in my faith journey, dedicating my life to Jesus publicly as I have personally.
Scott Eisenach
I have realized through Jesus Christ that I have so much to be thankful for. Even when life takes a hard turn, faith in the Lord will turn to me a clear path.
Alexandra Engelmann
For me my high school years were a struggle. I felt I had reached my lowest point and felt alone. I decided to try something new and join a small group and open my time to mission trips to serve others, because God never gives you more than you can handle. He showed me through those trips everyone has a struggle and I’m not alone. I am stepping forth in baptism because His strength has grown in me, around me and through me and will always be with me.
Jenny Erickson
My faith is being strengthened as I continue to learn more about God and His Word. As I am learning about His teachings and love I am also allowing Jesus to lead and guide me down His chosen path. Giving the control to God gives me a much more peaceful and joy-filled life, the stress and guilt is lessened. I can’t wait to more fully live out God’s purpose for my life and share His love with others!
Nick Fischer
I grew up active in church, but not active in my faith and Jesus Christ. I have spent my whole life knowing something was there... just not sure what it was. Recently, my life was impacted in a way I can’t explain, giving me reasons to find Jesus. For the first time, I’m excited to live a life with impact, care, joy and Jesus Christ.
Ryan Galindo
I have known of and been a follower of Jesus Christ for my entire life. However, this relationship has not been as intimate as I would like nor have I ever been baptized. I am now ready for all to know and proclaim that Jesus is Lord and my Savior!
Jayne Gassen
Before Christ was Lord of my life, my life was all about me. God used difficulties, other believers, and His Word to draw me to Christ. Now, I am free to live for Jesus, I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe – that’s me!
Kirk Gassen
Now that Jesus is Lord of my life, I have found His joy. There is no more confusion. I’m excited to witness through faith and grace His saving power. Lord, send me.
Paedra Gerjets
When I was 5 years old, I accepted Jesus into my heart. I want to get baptized to reaffirm my faith in Him because although I’ve had some struggles the past few years Christ’s love and guidance has led me to a much more positive place.
Alix Goldwasser
With various things going on in my life that were confusing and hard to understand, God was brought into my life, thanks to my sister, Isabella. He has brought comfort, strength, clarity, love, and hope into my life and for that, I am forever thankful. I want to commit myself to Jesus Christ and reflect what He has done for me, to others in my life.
Amalia Goldwasser
I am thankful for the Lord’s presence in my life. His grace has given me strength to get through a difficult season of my life. Jesus has given me peace, hope, strength and clarity in times of sadness and despair. The Lord is my Savior.
Todd Goldwasser
Before discovering what my life can be like with the faith of Jesus in my life, I was lost. Through my time at Westwood and the people I’ve met and seen here, I am convinced and committed to following in the ways of Jesus for the rest of my life and want to proclaim that commitment through baptism.
Chris Gordon
I’m prepared to trust all that Christ has built for me. This journey is not mine alone, but created by Him, for me to share the gifts that God has blessed me with. It is through the rest of this life that I will embrace his preparation and pay forward my faith language the best I can.
Corey Hatanpa
For a long time, my relationship with Christ was an up and down battle. He has blessed my life in so many ways, even pulling me out of a deep and dark addiction to drugs. I want to get baptized to symbolize a renewed life and dedication toward Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Cecily Holderman
I am in this world, but I am not of it. His light shines in me brighter than the sun.
John Jamrozek
I was always aware of God’s presence in my life, but I remain the one in control. As the world spins away from God, He prompts me to trust Him, to love Jesus as my Savior, and to serve Him through my life, my actions, and sharing His love. Through baptism, I surrender control of my life.
Angela Japuntich
Friends, family, and life circumstances awoke a desire in my heart for a life of faith. Succumbing to the calling has already transformed my life, and I know it’s only the beginning. Jesus is the Lord of my life. Now, I understand He will meet me where I am, and I am committed to embodying His teaching and example.
Stephen Japuntich
As a child I struggled to connect with Christ and feel a pull towards leading a faith based life. Since having children, I realized the importance of raising them in a faith and to follow Jesus. Since coming to Westwood, I’ve rebuilt my appreciation and relationship with Jesus and I’m excited to build on that major milestone. Baptism to me is exclaiming that intent to learn and grow in my understanding, so I may live my life the way Christ wants me to and pass onto my children.
Kim Jordahl
I have always been a casual Christian, but as life events and my role in my family developed, I learned that I must trust Jesus completely to see me through difficult and new developments. At this age I now know that He will not give me more than I can handle and I am free from worry. Baptism is my public statement of my commitment to Jesus...His will be done.
Vanessa Jordahl
I was a lab tech in a dental office and started praying in this dark room. Jesus answered many of my prayers during this hard time. I had a God prompting during one of my prayers, this is when I knew Christ was in my life. I want to commit myself to follow Jesus.
Cheryl Krampitz
I’ve had my time in the desert, and I’m ready to live fully in the promised land. The Holy Spirit has shown me what a life surrendered to Jesus can be like. Now, I want to be fully baptized, so I can completely surrender to Him.
Carly Kriesel
The Lord has always been a part of my life, but every day He continues to pursue me. He provides me with hope and joy. He knows and loves me. Because of this, I want to always walk in His love.
Kailee Leventry
I am grateful that God meets me where I am to lead me through life. I don’t need to have it all figured out before coming to Him. God is good and He is always with me.
Tim Line
I want to claim Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I have been on a wonderful long journey. I want to publicly proclaim my love for Jesus. I am YOURS! What a great day to be baptized on Easter Sunday! I want to physically experience the death and resurrection on a great day of celebrating. Hallelujah!
Angie Lutz
When I was baptized at 13, I was a non-believer. Since accepting the Lord as my Savior at 28, I have felt the Lord prompting me to be reborn in Him though rebaptism. As a servant of Christ, I want to show my love and dedication to Him in the act of baptism.
Cathy Mahady
I am so thankful that God put a prompting in me to know Him. Then I came to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. He has now moved me into a daily personal relationship with Jesus. I want to proclaim my commitment to Him and His love for me.
Maria Marchetti
I have lived my entire life in fear. In fear of not being good enough and in fear of the unknown of my future. In the past two years, God has shown me I have always been enough and that I have nothing to be afraid of. Being baptized to me symbolizes my love and gratitude for God and a new beginning.
Shannon McClard
I have always walked with Jesus in my faith journey, my trials and tribulations, and my joys and sorrows. It is in my faith that I wish to proclaim through baptism my devotion to Christ. I want and need to do this as an adult.
Sherrie McClard
I am thankful for knowing that Jesus Christ is our Savior and I want to proclaim my faith by being baptized to Him and God. God has shown me I am loved. I am so excited to live in His word.
David Menke
God met me at a very challenging time in my life. He showed me forgiveness, grace and love beyond anything I could have imagined. I am so thankful that through this experience I now have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and a faith I now can share with my wife. I want to continue to align my life according to God’s plan for me.
Jennie Menke
15 years ago, I asked God to help me believe in Jesus. He has gently guided my life since then. Although I’ve considered baptism for years I waited. My husband’s new faith has made me see again that God's timing is perfect. I am blessed to share this with him.
Chelsea Naegele
I’ve had faith my whole life, with some hiccups along my journey as any human would. This baptism is an outward expression of my recommitment of my love for my Savior.
Patricia Walsh
Before knowing Jesus Christ I was lost, now I am found. I am thankful He came into my life and know He is the way, the truth and the life. Today, I want to commit myself to follow Jesus through baptism. I want my life to display and reflect God’s love!
Robin Warden
The joy and peace I find in my heart when I’m connected to Jesus Christ is unexplainable. I’m honored to be called a child of God and given the opportunity to reflect His grace and goodness in all that I do.
Jenny Ware
I am thankful Jesus Christ has been in my life. I want to renew my faith with Jesus through baptism to strengthen my own journey and share Jesus Christ with others.
Jessica Ware
I have seen many lives transformed in the name of Christ, including my own. I hope that this is the start of growing deeper in my faith. I also aspire to spread God’s love to those around me.
Ryan Ware
Though I was baptized as an infant, I come here as an adult to purposefully accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
Brianna Warner
I had lost all hope and faith and was in a complete state of brokenness and vulnerability. God came into my life at that moment and showed me His love and grace. I am excited to live my life from here on out demonstrating God’s love, grace, and blessings externally. Here’s to a life filled with new beginnings, hope, faith, and love.
Kay Watkins
Before Christ, my life was routine, mundane, and I felt like something was missing. I have come to know Christ through the blessings. He has provided me and the hardships I’ve faced in life. He has never left my side. I have felt God’s presence and His calling to grow closer to Him. I want to commit my faith through baptism.
Slade Watkins
I have known Christ almost my whole life... I was timid, scared, and felt unworthy to be baptized. The Lord over the last two years has shown me that I am worthy, and He will guide and lead me, and that I am to trust in Him and have faith.