Hi everyone, my name is Kingsley. Like many Christians, I was raised in a Christian environment. I attended church every Sunday and prayed before meals. I memorized Bible verses and celebrated Christmas and Easter. I did everything I was supposed to do.

But it was all just routine to me. I prayed and sang because that was what everyone else around me was doing. Whenever I went to church, my thoughts would be elsewhere–what we’d be eating afterwards, or the video games I wanted to play. During the service, I’d learn about 1 Corinthians 3:4: “love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast”. Then, for the rest of the day, I’d yell at my brothers for being too slow and long for more Pokemon cards for my collection. I didn’t understand what real love was.

In short, I lacked a personal relationship with God, the true source of love. I knew Jesus had died for my sins with my head, but not with my heart.

Then, one day, I was at church as usual. Worship service was beginning, and they’d chosen a song I had never heard before. The song was “This I Believe” by Hillsong worship. And as the first notes began, an overwhelming presence I couldn’t understand washed over me, a presence greater than what I could see and touch. I felt God come beside me at that very moment. And he was calling out to me to follow Him. I longed to obey–longed for it more than anything I had ever longed for before. That night, I made a commitment to follow God for the rest of my life.

I wish I could say that after that day, I shed my former ways and became the perfect Christian, But the road would be much bumpier than that. My journey with Jesus has been filled with detours and setbacks. I’ve sinned, doubted, been apathetic and afraid, repented time and time again. In my lowest moments, when I was in pain both physically and mentally, I struggled to believe in anything, much less in a loving God who sent His son to die for my sins. But even in those moments, God was with me. He was with me even when I felt like He’d completely abandoned me. And I know that He will always be with me.

So many people have helped me along my faith journey. My family is the best model of Christlike love and sacrifice God could ever have given me. From the wisdom my parents share to discussions about faith with my brothers, they have been crucial. Words will never be enough to express my gratitude and love for them.

God has also blessed me with incredible friends, both Christian and non-Christian. Whether it’s deep conversations about faith, reading the Bible together, or just being there for me and displaying God’s love, I am so thankful for each of you.

I’d also like to thank Cornerstone Church for helping me and so many others to grow in my faith. Pastor Kevin helped me a lot with the baptism process. He was always patient and accepting of my many doubts and fears.

But above all, praises be to Jesus Christ, Saviour of my life many times over. It is by His grace alone that I made it to this moment. In light of His love for me, how can I not get baptized and commit my life to Him? In fact, it would be the very least I can do.