RBC CELEBRATES JUNE 10 BAPTISM
On Sunday, June 10, family, friends and co-workers gathered in the RBC Sanctuary to celebrate the baptism of: Steve Craddock, Linda Grandy, Katie Miller, James Larsen, Helen Larsen, Hope Ruffner, Jason Rusk, Bradley Smith, and Spencer Wood. This baptism service was filled with deep emotion as each candidate spoke of how they came to Christ and the changes they now see in their lives. God’s grace at work in those that are called by His name was wonderfully evident in each testimony.
As the service began Paul Goodnight greeted those in attendance, and explained what baptism is and why we have a baptism service. He then opened in prayer and asked God’s blessing on our time together. Erik Palmer, led everyone in a special time of worship with “Everlasting God,” and “How Great is our God.” After the time of worship, each candidate came to the microphone and gave their testimony. After each testimony, Paul prayed for each candidate before they went to the baptismal pool.
Linda Grandy gave her testimony first and it was a very emotional one as she explained that she had been searching for Jesus most of her life. It wasn’t until her 20s that a friend gave her a Bible and invited her to a non-denominational church. As Linda shared, “she had no idea that morning her life was about to change.” That morning she gave her life to Christ and began to learn about forgiveness. Although there have been many challenges since then, she now says that she could not get through anything without the Lord.
Helen Larsen gave her testimony next and shared that although she grew up in a “religious” home and knew that Jesus died for sin, she really didn’t have any assurance that she, herself, was going to heaven. After coming to RBC she began to understand that Jesus had died for her and she now has that assurance and her life reflects this relationship with Christ. She and her husband, James, who was also baptized at this service, were married at RBC and now have four beautiful children.
James gave his testimony next and shared he became a Christian 22 years ago at Young Life. He spoke of being a transformed person and although he is not always faithful, God always is. He understands what John Piper is talking about when he says that “the profound wonder that Christ, the Son of God loves us, must grip us and hold us and fill our minds.” James now senses a call to know Christ in a deeper way and to serve Him at RBC.
Katie Miller spoke next and shared that her parents divorced early in her life. Her early years and middle school years were very difficult. Then a friend invited her on the RBC winter retreat in 2000 and it was there that Katie trusted Christ. She shared that her life has not been the same since. She attended a Christian college and saw the Lord deepen her love and compassion for those with disabilities. She now works in that career field and holds to God’s promise that He will never leave her or forsake her.
Jason Rusk shared next that he was honored to profess his new found faith in Christ. He had experienced a time of hopelessness and despair prior to coming to Christ. He tried to fight through it on his own but found that was not the answer. He was invited to party where he met many Christians and was subsequently invited to church at RBC. As he began to read the Bible he understood it for the first time. He shared that was the beginning of his courtship with Jesus Christ. His hopelessness and despair began to lift as He saw the Lord at work in his life.
Brad Smith gave his testimony next. He shared that although he had been baptized at 12 years old, and knew that Christ had died for him; he didn’t really understand the grace of God until two years ago. From the age of 12 Brad explained that he had built his identity on career and money. As a result he was driven by his own anxiety, constantly worn out by the strain of serving his own immediate needs, and living on the merry go round of living for the moment and never getting enough.. But Christ helped him understand that he needed to live for something beyond his self, that career and money can become bad things if they are your life’s purpose. Christ has given him the balance and now he experiences joy and hope and what it means to have eternal life.
Spencer Wood shared next that he had trusted Christ one evening while in second grade after hearing a lesson on heaven and later listening to his favorite radio program, Adventures in Odyssey. He knew heaven was where he wanted to be, and said a simple prayer trusting Christ while laying in his bed that night. He has seen the Lord continually working in his life to shape him daily to be more like Jesus. He knows God’s faithfulness in that “all that call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Steve Craddock gave his testimony next and shared that he had attended a parent’s night at Young Life with his son where the speaker had the nerve to say the Jesus was God. Steve just chalked it up to his immaturity. Some time after that the family began to attend RBC and Steve heard Mike Minter give the Gospel at the end of each service. Steve had already convinced himself was a Christian but knew there had been no real change in his life. One day his son invited him to an event in DC called Stand in the Gap. There Steve saw thousands of people with Bibles and wondered if they had something he didn’t. Soon he found himself on his knees praying that he was a sinner and that he needed Christ to forgive him and live with him forever. After that his life did change and even though he’s experienced several painful trials in his life since, he has also known a peace he’s never known before. He now knows he is not alone and he can praise God when the sun is shining down or on the road marked with suffering.
Hope Ruffner shared last that she grew up in a Christian home and prayed to trust Christ when she was four years old. But she never really understood what it meant to have a relationship with Christ. She did not live her life for the Lord and really saw no point in coming to church. She managed to look like a Christian on the outside even to the point of being baptized years ago, but never really understood what she was doing. Two years ago was the darkest time of her life; she was caught up in dark thoughts and sin, and hating the life she thought God had given her. One day during this time, God saved her and showed her His love, His grace, and His purpose. Since then she has lived her life for the Lord, and knows there is no better way to live. She has truly been made a Christian!
The flood of emotion and joy was evident in the voices and on the faces of each candidate as they talked about their new life in Christ. These baptism testimonies are always a wonderful evidence of God’s grace at work in the life of His children! Jeff McCann, our Jr. High pastor, helped 7 of the candidates into the pool and then had the delight of baptizing them. Chris Craddock, now a youth pastor, baptized his dad, Steve, and Dave Doyle baptized Hope.
After all the candidates had been baptized, Paul shared briefly how someone could place their trust in Christ, and then closed the service in prayer. He invited everyone to the reception in our Welcome Center. The reception time is always a wonderfully encouraging time for the candidates, as their family, friends, and co-workers celebrate with them. This is also a time for everyone to meet and congratulate the other candidates.
We were very blessed by the service of Dave and Becky Waldrup’s Shepherd Group at this baptism. They helped with the numerous volunteer needs: thanks to Paul and Robin Sgambati, Himalay Gopu, Andrew Shaw, and Jana Krakow. Dan Hogarty was our photographer and captured some wonderful shots of the service and is available for events at dan.hogarty@gmail.com. Shelley Ryan, served as the sound tech and also recorded the service. As always, we could not make these baptism services special without the help of our much-appreciated volunteers. Thank you all so much!
If you are interested in learning more about being baptized at RBC or if your Shepherd Group would like to assist at our next baptism service, please contact Cheryl Ryan, the Special Ministries Coordinator, at cherylryan@restonbible.org. And please visit one of our baptism services in the near future. You will be greatly blessed!