“Jesus completely changed my life!”

Baptism is a public way to show you’ve said “yes” to Jesus! It’s a reminder that our lives are part of God’s story: the renewal of all things. This past November, 81 people were baptized across our campuses, each one a reason to celebrate God’s work in lives across our city.  

Here is a glimpse of their stories. Read on to hear their journeys and see how Jesus is transforming lives today.

UZIEL CALDERON 

"I grew up in a hostile environment. Christianity was present, but my knowledge of Jesus was limited. For these reasons, I was more inclined to be angry and disobedient. When I came to Calgary, my family started to encourage me to go to Church. Since then, I started understanding how Jesus works in our lives in addition to what my grandmother has always taught me about God.

Since I started going to the church and learning from Jesus and reading the Bible; I started to be more thankful for everything that happened and is currently happening in my life. My behaviour has changed, I stopped being angry about tiny things; I started to be thankful and extend grace. Now, I can approach the situations in my life with peace."

Philippians 4:10-13 

“I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” 

BROOKLYN STRETCH 

"My life before I knew Jesus was good, but I always felt this yearning for something more, like I was missing a piece of the puzzle of my life. I came to know Jesus in university, after my now husband invited me to church with him. I began to attend regularly, went to Alpha, learned about Jesus, and decided to follow Him. Having a relationship with Jesus gives me peace, comfort in hard times, and has filled me with purpose."

Psalm 119:105 

 “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” 

PROWESS OGHOTUAMA

"I was born into a Christian home, so I always knew Jesus. I prayed and went to church, but that was because of my family. I didn't have my own personal relationship with Him and the older I got, the farther from Him I began to feel. For a long time in my life, I've struggled with fears and anxieties. I began to turn to prayer whenever I felt scared or alone.  

Jesus became a refuge to me in difficult times. As my faith grew, I continued to speak to Him even when I wasn't afraid and started to see him as a friend. Jesus has helped me see that I am not alone. He has given me the spirit of discernment and peace. Spiritually, there are a lot of places in which I need to improve, but my walk with Jesus has already filled my heart with more love than I could ever ask for."

Psalms 91: 4-5 

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.” 

VICTOR MYKOLAICHUK 

“Before I knew Jesus personally, my life felt ordinary and without purposeful direction. I first learned about Him when I was 7 years old, when my grandma in Ukraine took me to Sunday school. Before that, I didn’t really understand God’s love or what it meant to follow Him.

I felt like I was just living for myself without knowing the greater purpose God gives. I have been connected to church since I was 7 years old, when my grandmother first took me to Sunday school in Ukraine. Later, during my university years, I lived more of an ordinary life without much focus on my faith.  

After getting married and moving to England with my wife, I didn’t have the opportunity to attend church for about 10 years. From time to time, I went with my wife to church, but I never felt deeply rooted in my faith. When we moved to Canada six years ago, I noticed many churches nearby and decided to attend one of them.  

Since then, I have truly reconnected with my Heavenly Father. The move was not easy, but God has been with me every step of the way; helping me, my wife and my son settle, providing us with jobs, surrounding us with wonderful friends, and continually working in my heart. Every day I see how He is changing me and blessing me and my family."

Jesus has completely changed my life. He gave me peace in my heart and filled the emptiness I once felt. He brought more love into my family and continues to shape me into a better person. Through Him I’ve learned how to rely not on myself, but on God. I was lost and empty, and now I have purpose, joy, and hope in Him. Several verses have deeply shaped the way I want to follow Jesus. These verses inspire me to follow Jesus and to live a life that reflects His character.   

Hebrews 13:5  

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”

2 Timothy 2:16 

 “But avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.”   

Luke 6:35  

“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”  

NINA SMITHSON

“I was lost and hopeless. He called on me when I was at a very low lonely point in my life. He has given me strength and hope.” 

Exodus 14:14 

“The Lord shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace”. 

TERRENCE JOHNSON 

“My life before finding Jesus was filled with substances and disconnection with the Lord. I always had an awareness of Jesus, but I lived a life of sin and had lost my way. I also found God 13 years ago through the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). But as of recently, I’ve had this burning desire to get right with God and walk with our Lord Jesus Christ.  

Jesus, in just a short period of time, has opened my heart, mind and soul to His everlasting Love. He is always showing me the path that I need to be on and has taken away my anxiety and fears. He has given me strength as I carry on this faith journey. He is the way the truth and the life!” 

John 14:6 

"I am the way the truth and life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”