Angie
Baptismal Testimony
As a very small child, the only church I knew was Roman Catholic. I had a negative response to it as the service was in Latin and because I was taken there by my very abusive father. Negativity and apathy to going to church continued until after I emigrated to the USA in 1969.
In 1979, we moved to a house where the back yard joined the grounds of a Catholic Church whose carillon bells rang out beautiful music. Encouraged by the bells and a devout catholic neighbour, I visited the church. As I walked through the door, God spoke to me by a vision of His warm hands cupping my face and saying "I AM YOUR FATHER"!
After joining that church, I eventually moved on to a more charismatic Catholic Church where I was protected and cherished by the nuns when my life took a traumatic downward sweep, leading to my return to England. On my return, God gave me another vision of Him holding my hand and leading me down a long, grassy pathway.
After a year of searching for a church, God gave me Gary and together, we found The Methodists, first in Leicestershire and then moving to Lincolnshire in 2018.
We jogged along very happily enjoying the friendships and social side of church until 2024 when the devastating closure of Burgh Methodist led us to Burgh Baptist Community Church.
Then POW! I began to experience a whole new concept of belonging to Jesus with Colin and Richard's sermons. I found a new depth of worship together with fellowship of belonging, loving, encouraging, and restoring each other and praying together.
This concept is all about doing what Jesus wants me to do and I want more of it. 1am totally committed to know Jesus more and to have him as my best friend for this last part of my life.
Gary
Baptismal Testimony
I went to Sunday School from the age of 6 to 16, twice every Sunday and I always got top marks. Although I was made to go, I really looked forward to it.
Unfortunately, when I reached my teenage years, life began to get in the way, and I stepped away from Church.
I used to work seven days a week, seven until seven on weekdays, and half days every Saturday and Sunday, so I felt I just didn’t have time for God.
I didn’t start going to church again until I met Angie in 1987.
I said to her at the time if you can find a church where we are both comfortable, I will go with you
We started at a Methodist Church in Barwell. Leicestershire, and immediately felt very comfortable. This was down to the fact that I knew most of the people there from when I was a child.
I enjoyed the Methodist Church, but the teaching was very light and was more about the church family than a relationship with Jesus.
I never felt pushed or challenged to have a closer relationship with Jesus.
We moved here to Burgh in 2018 and started going to the Methodist Church here.
When the Methodist Church closed, we looked around for somewhere else we could feel we belonged.
When we joined the Baptist Church things began to change. I found it difficult at first because I felt challenged to think about things more.
Gradually, through the teaching of Colin and Richard I began a new understanding of what it means to have a relationship with Jesus, and I felt I needed to make a proper commitment.
Jesus went to the cross for me to get rid of my sin, and I believe in that completely, and that is why I am here doing this today.
Irene
Baptismal Testimony
Seventy-five years ago, I was baptised at St Etheldreda’s church in Newmarket. I was brought up as a Catholic, attended Catholic Schools, and went to Mass on Sundays until I was 18, when I started my Nurse Training. Awkward shifts meant regular attendance was more difficult. But by then, I was having doubts about some of the teachings of the Catholic Church. I lapsed.
Looking back, I can see that God placed Christian friends along my path, who, from time to time, would invite me to some of their Church activities and events. My husband’s Aunt gave me a Good News Bible, and intrigued by the lively little line drawings, I started reading the Gospels, then on through Acts. I remember thinking, “Yes, I know all this, this is what I believe. ”
But something was missing. This was something I had noticed in my Christian friends, but couldn’t quite put my finger on. Repent and believe, Acts kept exhorting me. Yes, but what else was there? Then one day I opened my Bible at the passage where Jesus says, my command to you - Love one another as I have loved you”.
“This is “Yes, that’s it!” - So simple. So obvious.
That was Easter 1980. 46 years ago. Since then, when I made my decision to follow Jesus, I have tried to live my life in a way that would be honouring to Him, by loving and caring for others as He has loved and cared for me. Obviously, there have been many times when I have fallen short and have wandered away from Him, but I know that whenever I have confessed and said sorry, God is gracious and faithful and has led me back into His fold.
I have been through some difficult times in my life, but I have known Jesus has been with me. I have known God’s leading; I believe He led me to this Church family and to this point, where I have chosen to make a more public declaration of my faith and to be baptised as a Believer.
I thank God for His provision for me throughout the years, for His Spirit living within me, and I am trusting in Jesus to lead me home.
