Aracelis Escobar was baptized on April 2nd by Bob.
Before the baptism, Arie shared her story of how God has led and continues to lead her because of His love and the love of the church.
She came to The Pursuit after having ignored the postcard a couple times due to some past hurt she had felt. She shares what finally provoked her to attend then make the decision to be baptized:
One Sunday I woke up to read my Bible and saw it (the postcard) for the 3rd time. I just said, 'I gotta go.' I got in my car a little scared. I prayed to God, 'I hope they receive me because You know that I really want to do this for You, and I want to know what I need to do.'
So I pull up to The Pursuit and who do I see? Bob Smith, waving and smiling and ready to greet me with one of his big hugs.
I was loving it. I said, 'This is it!' It's good and I felt blessed. The hugs and everyone welcoming me. I can't even tell you how I felt. It was absolutely love. And I thought, "Okay, I'm home."
So after a few weeks doing the Bible study with Bob and Linda, Bob called me in the midst of a struggle I was battling. He said, 'You want to get baptized?' and I started to cry finding all kinds of excuses. 'Im not good enough.' So I said no.
After I hung up, I opened the Bible to Galatians 5:1, and this is what it said: 'It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.'
I cried for half an hour.
So then I read John 3:5: 'Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit."'
I said, 'Oh no, you're not taking that away from me. I'm entering into the Kingdom.'
So I sent Bob an email saying I'm ready to get baptize. I've felt a peace and calm ever since then.
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