WHY I CHOSE TO BE BAPTISED

Once I started feeling more like myself after treatment, I found myself reflecting on everything God had done for me.

Not just throughout my cancer journey, but throughout my life.

There were so many things I was thankful for.

God had faithfully walked with me through treatment. He'd surrounded me with incredible people. He had given me peace during some of the most difficult moments of my life. 

The more I reflected on it, the more I appreciated just how faithful He had been.

I met with Darcie Frost, one of the lead pastors at Elim Papakura, to talk about baptism, what it meant, what I could expect, and, I suppose, to make sure I was doing it for the right reasons.

Even finding our church felt like another example of God's hand at work. 

Mum had been looking for a new church and had started watching Elim online. She happened to come across Elim Papakura and noticed that Darcie was from the United States and had studied in Boston, where much of my family lives. That unexpected connection drew Mum in, and the rest, as they say, is history.

By this point, it had been confirmed that I would need surgery. We already knew my bladder would need to be removed, which meant I would be living with two permanent ostomies.

Darcie was actually the one who suggested that it would be better to be baptised before surgery rather than after. Recovery from the surgery would be significant, and learning to live with two ostomies would bring enough challenges of its own.

During our conversation, Darcie shared that, for the first time, there would be ministry teams praying over those being baptised. Some of the team had prophetic gifts and would pray and share any words they felt God was giving them.

She explained that baptism was a public declaration of my relationship with Christ. She also shared that baptism symbolises dying to your old life and being raised to new life in Him. 

As she explained what that truly meant, the thought of leaving my old life behind and belonging completely to Him overwhelmed me in a way I had never experienced before. It was a mixture of peace, joy, and overwhelming gratitude.

There was something so beautiful about it that I can't quite put into words.

I'm sure she explained it far better than I've managed to here, as she usually does.

Darcie has a remarkable gift for helping people understand the heart of God. When she speaks, she has a way of making those truths settle deep within your soul. I thank God often for her 

If you've never heard Darcie speak, I'd highly recommend her podcast, Carry Confetti.

More recently, at our church's Replenish conference, she shared a message called Signed - Sealed - Delivered. It's one of the most powerful messages I've ever heard. It's about God's character and the covenants from which His promises flow.

If you're exploring faith, struggling to trust God, or simply wanting to understand Him more deeply, I'd love for you to listen to it. I truly believe it will bless you as much as it blessed me and so many others who heard it.

On the drive home, I couldn't stop thinking about everything we'd talked about and what baptism really meant.

"Of course. Why would I wait?"

Why had it taken me so long to make this official?

Why had I waited so long to publicly tell the world that I belonged to Jesus?

A day I'll never forget.

I was baptised on 27 October 2024.

I can't fully explain the joy I felt that day.

Was I nervous about standing on stage and sharing my testimony?

Absolutely.

Public speaking has never been my favourite thing.

But more than anything, I was excited.

I was excited to publicly declare my faith and celebrate what God had done in my life.

After I was baptised, people prayed over me and shared words they felt God had given them.

One of the very first words spoken over me was:

"God delights in you."

Even writing those words now brings tears to my eyes. I didn't realise how much I needed to hear those words until I heard them.

I had always believed God loved me.

I had experienced His faithfulness.

I had seen His hand at work throughout my life.

But hearing those words spoken over me was different.

I can't adequately describe the joy it brought me then, nor the joy it still brings me today whenever I think about it.

The words that were spoken over me that day are now framed in my home. I look at them often as a reminder of how faithful God is and how deeply He loves His children.

For me, baptism really was dying to my old life. 

I had always believed in God, but after my baptism and everything that followed, my relationship with Him became deeper than I had ever imagined. 

When I look at my life then and my life now, it feels like night and day.

Not because my circumstances suddenly became perfect.

Not because life became easy.

But because I changed.

Or perhaps more accurately, God began changing me.

I still have a long way to go.

I lose my patience.

I get distracted.

I don't always prioritise spending time with God, especially in His Word.

I stumble more often than I would like to admit.

But the difference is that now I want everything I do to point to Him.

I want my life to reflect the God who has been so faithful to me.

Every day I'm learning, growing, and being shaped by Him.

And while I'm far from perfect, I am so thankful that God isn't finished with me yet.

🎵 Before you go...
I recently heard this song at our church's Replenish conference, and it's been a repeat on my playlist ever since. Every time I hear it, I'm reminded that no matter what we face, Jesus is greater, He is faithful, and His presence never leaves us. 

If you have a few moments, I'd love for you to listen to it. I hope it reminds you, as it reminds me, that no matter what we face, Jesus is greater. 

Follow Along 🤍

Powered by

❦

Before you go...

If this post brought you hope or met you where you are today, you're welcome to let me know below.

Share your thoughts

Whether you have a question, a prayer request, or simply want to say hello, you're always welcome to leave a comment below.