What a way to celebrate! Baptisms at the McMaster Pool

Hi Friends,

We wanted to share with you a few pics of a couple of baptisms we celebrated early last Wednesday morning at the pool on the McMaster campus.  About 30 folks rolled out of bed at 8:30 am to rejoice with BD and Yolanda while folks were cranking out their early morning laps in the pool.  BD is a post-doc research professor at Mac in the Math faculty.  He has a heart for evangelism and prayer.  He’s been a believer for a while but was convicted to follow through with baptism after going through our church membership class.  Yolanda is a 2nd year student from the Bahamas.  We’ve included her story for your encouragement.  One of the joys for me in her story is seeing a healthy partnership between the local church and the para-chruch ministries.  We’re all part of Kingdom work together.

Pastor Bob Royce

Sanctuary West, McMaster University Campus

Hamilton, Ontario

Yolanda's Story

            Christianity was not a new concept for me. I grew up in a Christian home, went to a Catholic school, and periodically attended a Baptist church. Faith was never something I took seriously. While I never doubted the existence of God, I never had a personal relationship with him. Prayer was something I did out of obligation, not love; I never knew what the reason was or what purpose it served in my life.

            It was only God that prompted me to join a discipleship group with Campus for Christ early this year. I went to the meetings whenever I wasn’t super busy but it was something I did because I considered it my hour for God a week. The summer came and went and I’d only attended church twice in four months. Fall began and I started attending the meetings again. I could feel something changing in me but I kept dismissing it and when on with my life.

            A little over 2 months ago, one of the leaders of my group asked me to meet her at Divinity College at 11:30. When I got there she told me she was going evangelizing, and that I should stay and pray with this group of total strangers! At the time I had never prayed in front of anyone before, so I was really taken aback. I sat there in silence as they prayed and I felt kind of intimidated by the beautiful things they said, thinking there was no way I’d ever be able to pray like that. That was a Tuesday and that Friday I went to my first Campus for Christ meeting.

            As God would have it none of my leaders could make it that night and I only knew one person, so it was again really intimidating. Worship started and I was amazed at how people were closing their eyes and lifting up their hands and just praising God! I had never seen anything like that in my life and I was completely shocked. I thought they were the weirdest group of people I’d ever met! After the meeting ended I ran out of there as soon as possible, I remember thinking – wow this place is a cult!

            That night as I laid down in my bed the Holy Spirit moved in me. I realized that I had nothing to live for. No purpose in life. At the time I wanted to go into Cosmetic Dermatology, but then I thought – who is this helping? What impact am I going to leave in the world? Then I just started weeping. I realized there had to be something better out there. Someone made me for a reason, and I was determined to find what that was! That was when I accepted Christ as my Lord and personal Savior and decided to live for Him everyday.

            After that a lot changed in my life. God took a lot of people out, which hurt at first but I know it was to strengthen me. And the people He took out pale in comparison to the wonderful people He’s put into my life. The past nine weeks have changed me completely. I’ve learned to humble myself to God completely in ALL areas of my life, something God had to show me the hard way. Everyday I strive to get closer to Him, and the walk is not an easy one but its one I’m on and one I never plan on leaving. I have wonderful people to help me on my path and I’m just so grateful that He’s opened my eyes and taken me out of the darkness. Learning more about Him has become on of my greatest pleasures, and one of my greatest joys comes from knowing that one day I will be a strong woman of God. 

Members of Sanctuary West Witnessing

BD's and Yolanda's Baptism