Good morning,

My first memory of God was when I was about 3 years old and living in Shawinigan Falls, a small town in Quebec. My Mother would take me and my older brother to a Catholic Church. Inside there was a statue of Mary and one of Jesus on the cross.

I remember staring at the statue of Jesus during service. It was so visual. Of course, I didn’t fully comprehend it all, other than this Jesus fellow, he must be very powerful because he is making everyone pray.

We didn’t stay very long in that small town. We weren’t regular churchgoers either. As a child, I had other priorities in mind such as playing and later school studies. However, I would be reminded there was a God through TV shows and movies I watched, especially during the Easter holiday.

They would always show the movie, The Ten Commandments, with Charles Heston as Moses but I didn’t have a personal connection with God at that time.

It was in my 20s, in my first full-time job that I met a co-worker who was a Christian. We shared an office and we would have talks about what it meant to be a Christian. She gave me a bible to read and I started to attend church to get a deeper understanding.

John 3:16 says: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

That was my motivating factor to becoming a Christian and to have a personal connection with God. I wanted that hope. It was then I fully understood the meaning of Jesus on the cross. I took the steps believing in God, admitting my sins, acknowledging my sins, committing my life to Christ, and living a life of gratitude to God.

Life challenges can interfere with these good intentions and like the 4 seasons we have here in Canada, I had my fair share in my walk with God. But God is good. He always waits patiently for me and carries me when I need help the most. I am forever humbly grateful.

Baptism was modelled by Jesus and by getting baptized, we declare that Jesus is the Lord of our lives. Faith alone is not sufficient if not followed by action. I would like to reaffirm my faith in God by getting baptized. Why now? Everything is in God’s time. He has now opened this door and I’m ready to step forward. I’m happy I can share this day with you all.

I want to thank my family and friends for their prayers, encouragement, and support over the years. Thanks to Pastor Jeremy for his guidance and prayers. Not least of all, my small group here at Cornerstone for their prayers and support. I would like to conclude with this verse:

You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
– Psalms 16:11

Amen!