An Officer's Testimony

Matthew’s Baptism Speech

Hello, 

I’d like to start off by evoking the Gospel. Ephesians 6:19 - Pray for me. Ask God that when I speak the right words may be given to me. Then I will boldly make know the secret of the gospel. 

What is a Christian? Can a Christian be defined distinctly? If so, why are there so many groups within Christianity? They believe in God? If there is a God, how does he allow good people to die tragically? These are all questions and thoughts that a non believer may think quietly, or as we have seen in recent times, yell loudly and disparagingly. 

For those who don’t know me, my name is Matthew. I grew up in a culturally Catholic household. I was baptized as a baby in the Catholic Church. I went through first communion as a young boy. But, soon after this, I stopped going to church. God became an option, a tertiary concept that was good, but not at the forefront of my thinking. When I wanted something, I prayed to God. As Jelly Roll has sung, I only talk to God when I need a favor.

As a young man, motivated by my own shortcomings and anger about who I was, I made decisions that had taken me off the straight and narrow path. The path I made, led not to righteousness and fulfillment in The Lords favor, but instead to unhappiness and never being satisfied. Motivated by my own abilities I saw life as MY way or the highway. 

God fell out of favor in my life, but I never fell out of favor with him.

It was during the rise of the peak of my own ambitions that God sent me Ashley. At the time I didn’t appreciate what God had done for me. I wasn’t appreciative of my wife and this led to bigger issues. It got to the point where I hit rock bottom. 

I took a hard look at myself. I started to make changes, but continued to rely on secular advice, books and incorrect thinking. 

I had yearly goals and getting back into faith happened to be one of them. This was in my own attempts to put myself back together.

During this time, I discovered Gods word. 

God still hadn’t given up on me. 

I started on a journey of discovering truth. I went to different churches around my home to discover where truth was being spoken. 

I eventually found this First Baptist Church. I felt welcomed here by our small community who are aged in years. While this is true, it is also true that there is a pervasive, yet quiet faith here that is strong. The congregations love for newcomers abounding. This is the reason I love this church.

While I may not be perfect and I still sin, I am now ready to turn to God. In turning to God I turn to scripture.

It is written in Proverbs 18:22 that “He who finds a wife finds a good thing.” Ashley, I am thankful that God has brought you to me. I love you and our babies. 

It is also written in John 3:16 that “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.” 

Today on 3/16/2025 I am ready to live a life full of faith in Christ. I am ready to be a humble, loving and obedient servant. 

I pray for God to continue to show his mercy. I ask Christ to extend his grace to anyone weary, tired and worn out from their own ambitions as he invites us to do in Matthew 11:28-30. I have asked, I have sought and I have knocked. Now I am ready to go through the open door to the Lord. I pray through my faith in Christ that God continue to extend his blessings to me. 

Amen