Why I'm getting Baptized today

Baptism, at its core, is a public declaration.

It’s the moment you choose to fully surrender your life to Jesus and step into a new identity. The act itself is symbolic. Going under the water represents letting go of your old life. Coming out of it represents being made new.

For me, it’s not about becoming perfect overnight.

It’s about no longer trying to do life on my own.

Today. I'm getting baptized and Pastor Tim asked us to shorten our testimonies to 3 minutes because we have so much to cover with communion, the sermon, and Baptism ceremony itself.

How can I shorten and share all of God's blessings in just 3 minutes. I'll attempt to do so here to practice my testimony.

"I would consider myself most of my life atheist.

Didn't grow up in the church and although I was exposed to it kind of through friends and family-I didn't really understand it.

My cousin invited us to Christmas service once and I was confused as to Why these random group of people were so nice to us.

After learning more about Jesus and the lessons from the sermons now I understand why Christians are such graceful loving humans made in his image.

My faith journey wasn't that long ago. If I'm being honest part of why I didn't believer in God was because I thought life was so difficult and I wondered why he made me so short, experiencing racism growing up being bullied and why I had to experience so much suffering?

Almost failing out of college, I numbed my life because of all of the anger and pain I've experienced through experimenting with almost what feels like every type of drug.

God must have been merciful with me because I can't even count on the number of times with my hands how many times I've had close calls driving when I shouldn't be.

Losing my house mate Tyrone, people I used to hang out with a lot Dave, David, and Doug my life was headed down a dark path.

I've had so many God moments- sitting next to a mega church employee on a plane who shared about how he was traveling because his pastor travels the world sharing the gospel in underserved countries in Africa and Asia.

Meeting a drunk driver killing someone spending 8 years in jail and his wife stayed with him.

A lady who was numbing her life away from smoking so much weed and then Jesus told her to get clean and be there for her sister. You can sense the love she had for her sister.

It made me reflect on how I selfish I was and how all of my travels across the world, spending over $100k in debt was all about me and I wasn't thinking deeply about that impacted my mom, wife, and people close to me.

The more I learned about Jesus through Stan and Sherry who invited us to Kings when both Sammy and I were at rock bottom and were considering getting a divorce- The more I cried just learning about the type of man he is and why so many Christians are so kind to me from cell group to Sunday board games hosted at our place.

There was a moment at last year's Vision retreat where Pastor Tim asked me do you believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ? My logical brain couldn't catch up to my emotional more spiritual side where in my heart I know God to be true in accepting all of my short comings with grace and peace. The Apologetics series helped me understand the validity of Jesus's resurrection and the bible.

Since surrendering to Jesus Christ, I've felt a peace my anxiety lifted that I haven't felt before. I now understand why Christians look so peaceful and I know this doesn't make my life easier but I'm so glad I found Jesus and being Born Again I get to let go trying to do everything on my own. I just applied to missions trip which I never would have thought of doing."

There are so many people that I would like to acknowledge for encouraging me to dig deeper into learning more about the type of man Jesus is.

Thank you Sherry for inviting to watch the Chosen where I cried so much watching the scenes about the Samaritan women, the unclean women who was bleeding everywhere and no one wanted to been around here, the Leper who was healed who was suffering in so much pain.

Matthew- the tax collector who was beautifully played in the TV show showing how much he was hated because of his betrayal to the Jewish people.

Peter who was questioning his faith when he had wife has a miscarriage meanwhile he was busy serving Jesus' ministry.

Thomas losing his fiancee and questioning it all.

This largest crowd funded project is a must watch for anyone who wants to learn more about the Gospel.

Stanley So thank you for lending me Mere Christianity that really made me understand Christianity in a more concise and logical perspective.

Toan Hang and Linda Chu for inviting us to church and always encouraging me to explore Christianity. You gifted me a bible in college during Christmas and that planted a seed that germinated many, many years later.

Edwin Aristor, MBA and Trae Vaillant - both brothers in faith and leading by example by who you are being. Others will understand the true kindness of Christian Love.

Ian Koniak, Athina A. Lampru 🧘♀️, Greg Gonzales, and Blake Marés Isaac McCauley

For words of encouragement, articles, bible passages, and prayers throughout the work week and reading the bible together.

Carson Marr Jakob Pugsley, Mark Glennon for your thoughtful prayers at the Untap Your Sales Potential Mastermind last weekend.

In Christianity, baptism represents two things:

• Dying to your old self — your past identity, mistakes, and ways of living

• Being “born again” — starting a new life rooted in faith, forgiveness, and transformation

The water isn’t what changes you. It’s what the act represents: a decision that’s already happened internally.

If anyone is interested in attending my wife and I's baptism its today at Kings Covenant Church in Bridgewater, NJ. Message me if you are interested in attending the service.

I've made public commitment to share more about my faith and thank you for all of the people who reached out and said my content has encouraged them to start going to church again and for all of the prayers. Love you all and Happy Easter!