On Sunday March 24, 2024, Ryan was baptized by his wife Katie, and Ellie was baptized by Natasha at the end of the third service. You can watch a clip of the service with their baptisms on our YouTube channel, and their baptism stories are down below. Join us in celebrating what God is doing in their lives and praying for them as they take this important step in their faith journey.
If you would like to know more about baptism and or reach out to have a conversation regarding baptism, head over to our Baptism page.
Ellie H.
My name is Ellie, I’m 25 years old and a new mom. I have had a relationship with the church since I was younger, CCD, First Communion, Confirmation, all the things. Yet, it wasn’t until I was pregnant (June 2023) that I gained my relationship with Jesus.
I was drawn to Bridge Pointe for many reasons. Months later I can see the bigger picture as to why –God led me to the doors of Bridge Pointe to find Him! To know Him! When I first joined the church I knew I wanted to get involved so I could have a stronger sense of connection for myself and my baby. I now see that God had given these connections (people) to me as the strong support I’d need for trials and tribulations that were to come. When I first started my journey I didn’t realize my faith would grow to where it is today. I thank God every day for this foundation He has given me to grow our relationship off of.
As of recently a lot of things in my life have flipped upside down. I found myself saying “this was NOT my plan,” feeling doubt and panic. I shortly after I realized that yes, this was not my plan, but it was HIS plan. For reassurance I began to look back at my life: the countless reckless mistakes I’ve made, and the countless times he corrected me; the dangerous situations I’ve been in, and the times He protected me; the addiction I’ve faced, and the strength He gave me to beat it. Because of Him I’m HERE.
“Here” might not be what I had planned, but with Jesus I know it will be better than what I could have even imagined. I trust in God’s Word and trust that God makes no mistakes. I trust that if I surrender my life to Him, He will continue to guide me, guard me and bless me. God has changed my life in countless ways, I have seen His work be done upon others and I forever want to surrender my life to Him. May His will be done through me for as long as I live.
Ryan L.
For the longest time, I chose not to believe in God. I thought people who believed in Him were crazy. But yet, I was a spiritual person. I am a recovering drug addict and almost lost my life to this disease. I can't even begin to explain how painful that part of my life was and I hit rock bottom at the young age of 20 years old. I resented God for taking people out of my life and leaving me to suffer. I prayed only for my next high or made fake promises to Him in order to get what wanted. I thought I was always in control and believed that I could fix me without anyone's help. After rehab I lived my life on my terms and continued to get in my own way even after getting clean. The only thing I was afraid of was dying. I filled a void I had for years with work, fair-weather friends, and whatever I thought would make me happy.
Fast forward to now... I met the love of my life, married her, and had two healthy, amazing, beautiful children. I bought a house and found a job that I finally loved. I thought I had it all but, I didn't. I became complacent and comfortable in my life because I thought I was happy. I completely lost myself and my love in the process. I was "ankle deep" in the church at the time and wasn't committed to it. I went to please my wife and when I left on Sundays I would immediately put my will before anything or anyone.
For some reason, I just felt like something was missing..... like a puzzle you build, but at the very end of completing it you can’t find that one piece. Again the trials and stress of life began to pile up and I had no outlet. I didn't notice I was throwing away everything I had worked so hard for.
Now I know it was Him who gave me all those things, and not me. I recently had to hit another rock bottom and I had nothing left, nowhere to go and no one to fix me. In all honesty, I was jealous of the people who chose to follow Jesus.
So the only thing I had not given a chance was to let go of the wheel and stop trying to be in control. I broke down and gave in recently and knew I had no other choice than to turn it all over to Him. I'm tired of fighting... believe me, I have been fighting demons for too long and it's not in my nature to give up.
Since I finally turned my life over to Him and was embraced by Jared (best hugger out there by the way) things have immediately changed. I started praying. I started believing and, started listening. I asked God to forgive me. I asked to take the urges and triggers away and bring peace and calmness. My mother just asked me a while back when things were going bad... "what is peace to you?" The only thing I could think of was no worries and death, unfortunately.
I'm here to tell you that as soon as I got out of my own way and humbly asked God to take over... I was granted calmness. I didn't have any urge to do what I was previously resorting to. I started praying first thing when I woke up and right before I fell asleep. I asked for help from the amazing group of men in this church. I even started apologizing for thoughts I was having even when I wasn't saying things out loud. I became more interested and hungry for knowledge. Nothing has ever changed me this quickly as the Holy Spirit has. I'm broken and I realize the only thing that can put me back together is my Creator. For the longest time, I felt like I was kept alive to suffer for all my sins but I was so wrong. I have already walked through hell and come out alive. I never want to go back. My family deserves better. I'm no longer afraid, I'm blessed and honored to be given yet another chance with my Creator. I want and need what he has to offer. My eyes, ears, and my heart are open.