We had the chance to hear from Martin and learn about his journey to baptism.

**Story Team: What made you take the step of baptism?**

**Martin**: I was born into a Christian home, so church life has always been part of me. Back home (in Ghana), church could take the whole of Sunday, from Sunday school to Bible discussions and after-service meetings. Whenever my mother went to church, I went too. Even when I didn’t always go willingly, I grew up knowing about God and believing I already knew Him. For years, when people were asked, “When did you accept Christ?” I would quietly think, I’ve always been a Christian. That was my default answer and that was my honest belief.

But over the past 5-8 years, especially during my four-year stay in China, cracks began to form in my faith. Living in a country where most people were non-Christians yet seemed to thrive and succeed made me question if Christians had overestimated the “God factor.” My work schedule in China (Wednesday to Sunday) kept me away from church for years, and this continued during my first two years in the U.S, even though my schedule was back to normal. I slowly drifted, even though I never abandoned my belief entirely. 

Though I regret some of the choices I made during that season, looking back, I can see that God was still at work. He allowed me to experience life without the comfort of religion, without my mother’s gentle nudges to go to church, so that I could truly find Him for myself.

Although I was baptized in my earlier years, this step of baptism at Hoboken Grace is different. It’s not about tradition or family faith, it’s about my personal relationship with Jesus. It’s my public way of saying, “I know You now, Lord, not just because I was born into a Christian home, but because I have come to experience Your grace and salvation for myself.

**Story Team: What was the feeling like after you were baptized?**

**Martin:** I would like to tackle my experience/feeling in five stages, each with its own emotion and meaning.

***1. Weeks before the baptism:***

In the weeks leading up to it, I was filled with a deep sense of excitement and expectation. I couldn’t wait for the day to come. There was this quiet joy inside me, a feeling that something new and significant was about to happen.

***2. Moments before the baptism:***

Just a few minutes before stepping into the water, that joy turned into nervousness. I began asking myself, am I really ready for this? Do I truly understand what I’m doing? My heart was racing, but beneath the anxiety, there was peace, a quiet assurance that this was the right step.

***3. In the baptism tub:***

That moment in the tub is one that will stick with me forever. It’s hard to describe, it felt like time stopped. I didn’t see the congregation or hear the noise around me. It was as if everything faded away, and it was just me and God, face to face. I felt completely new. That moment became a defining point in my faith, the reference point I had been searching for, for some time now.

***4. Right afterwards:***

When I came out of the water, I felt joy unlike anything I’ve ever known. Seeing the smiles and encouragement from those around me filled me with love and gratitude. I felt brand new; cleansed, light, and deeply at peace.

***5. A week later:***

A week later, life feels back to normal, the usual challenges are still there. But I’ve come to realize that the difference now is who I’m walking with. Allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and teach me daily, and surrounding myself with a community of believers, remains the key to staying grounded in this new chapter of my faith.

**Story Team: Who was up there with you?**

**Martin:** This was one of the most beautiful highlights of my baptism. I’m hesitant to mention names because I do not want to leave anyone out, but standing up there with me was the spiritual family I have been blessed to build here at Hoboken Grace, as I do not have my biological family in the United States. My entire First Impressions team: the greeters and ushers from the 28th of September, came to support me, along with friends from my Monday Dinner Group, the Men’s F3 workout group, and many others I have connected with through the church.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1760020563/5_m0uzjp.png)

It was such a big, joy-filled group, people who have each impacted my life and helped me grow spiritually since I joined Hoboken Grace. Even those who couldn’t be there in person surrounded me with prayers and encouraging messages. I am truly grateful for the community and family God has given me here.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1760106106/Untitled_design_89_aeomvn.png)

**Story Team: What would you say to another Hoboken Grace community member who may be thinking about taking this step?**

**Martin:** I would say, let it be personal, but don’t overthink it, and don’t wait until you feel “perfectly ready.” I wasn’t ready and questioned myself just moments before the final step. For me, baptism isn’t about having everything figured out; it is about saying yes to God and allowing Him to meet you where you are.

If you’ve been part of church life for years, like I was, it’s easy to assume that knowing about God is the same as knowing Him. But this step helped me realize the difference; it’s a personal surrender, a moment where your faith becomes your own.

You might have doubts or even feel nervous about standing in front of everyone, but the truth is, once you step into that water, everything else fades. It’s just you and God, and that moment changes you. And the beauty of doing it here at Hoboken Grace is that you’re not doing it alone. You will be surrounded by a loving, supportive family that celebrates with you, prays for you, and walks with you long after that day. 

So, if you are feeling that gentle nudge in your heart, take it. It is one of the most powerful and freeing steps you will ever take in your faith journey.


A Defining Point In My Faith

After drifting away from her faith during college and early adulthood, Serena found herself in a dark and lonely place—seeking connection in all the wrong places and questioning her relationship with God. In her lowest moments, she felt a quiet nudge—a sense that God was calling her back.

A simple Google search for local churches led her to Hoboken Grace, and from the moment she walked in the door, her life completely changed.

Now, she’s experiencing a renewed relationship with Jesus, discovering that He was never absent during her struggles. Her story is only just beginning, and she’s eager to grow in her faith and serve others—whether through Grace Kids or connecting with those still searching for hope and community.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1759267191/54222704232_9589ba9bd6_o_ghked8.jpg)

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1759266656/54318370800_13126e6a8f_o_myhuos.jpg)

Her message to others? Don’t be afraid to get uncomfortable and step out of your comfort zone. Take that first step. “Once you meet one person, they will lead you to another—and your life is going to completely change.”

So if you're feeling that nudge (in whatever area that looks like for you!) to step out and trust God, we hope Serena's story can encourage you.

Maybe you feel God calling you to pick up your Bible, to invite that friend to church, to join that dinner group, or to start serving on that team. Sometimes, all it takes is a single step – to set in motion a journey of transformation that could change your life in ways you never imagined.

To listen to Serena's story, you can [watch it here](https://youtu.be/zMtvBzDhwPI).


Finding Your Way Back: Serena's Story

Did you know that you can join a group of fun-loving (and God-loving) people to read and discuss the Bible here at Hoboken Grace?  It’s called Equip and a small group of people from Hoboken Grace did just that, studying the book of Romans this past Spring!  

You may be asking: “Why do an Equip study when I already attend a dinner group?”  Great question!  While dinner groups do offer the opportunity to read scripture, the Romans study allowed us to dig deeper into the Word of God for several weeks and to wrestle together with difficult theological concepts such as sin and grace.  What we discovered throughout the Spring is that studying scripture together brought us closer and spoke to many of us personally.

Romans was written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Rome to present the gospel, describing God’s plan of salvation for all people.  The book can read like a theological essay, so it was not the easiest to understand at times!  That is why doing a Bible study within a group is so helpful.  Here is what Alyssa had to say: “Reading the Bible can be intimidating and daunting if you're a beginner, and having your community by your side as you read through is encouraging and hopeful as you seek to understand.  Dissecting God's word with other people is the best way to learn about His character and His will for us.”

Julie found that she loved meeting and learning from those in her group:  “I enjoyed being part of the Romans study as it brought people at our church together to dig deeper into God’s word.  I also loved that we got a chance to get to know people at our church on a deeper level as we spent intentional time together week after week.”

Hebrews speaks of the power of the Bible, saying in 4:12: “For the word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart”(NIV).  For Steve, the study was very personal for him and convicted him of the safety he has in God, and because of this safety, his love for God grows: “It becomes more apparent that there is nothing we can do or say that will take away our salvation.  However, once we are saved, truly saved, I believe in our hearts we want to please God by trusting Him and obeying.  Not out of obligation, but having a relationship with God is what being a follower is all about.”

For those of us who are hurting and might be struggling to see beyond our circumstances, Julie offers her perspective: “We found that while we all struggled with the idea of the true freedom and grace that He has given us because of our sinful desires, we also have incredible hope and healing through the gospel.”

Do you want to know what God really has to say in the Bible, but are struggling to understand it on your own?  Do you want to meet other people at Hoboken Grace who desire to deepen their faith through the Word?  Do you want to come away convicted with transformational truths about God and about how God sees you?  Do you wish to see a brighter future grounded in God’s promises?  If any of these questions ring true (or if you have questions of your own), you can join us for an Equip Bible study this Fall.  As Steve shared: “We are all on a journey where we can learn from God and each other.  It is time well spent.”

To learn about our Bible Study: Sermon on the Mount, [click here](https://hobokengrace.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3114123).

To learn about our Bible Study: Old Testament History, [click here](https://hobokengrace.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3114035). 


Equip Studies: Digging Deeper in Faith

We got to chat with Taylor and Sam, a father and daughter, who both recently took the step of baptism, to hear what their experience was like!

**Story Team:** **Tell us a little bit about yourself and what was happening in your life leading up to this decision?**

**Taylor** - I knew it was something that I wanted to do, but was scared to not live up to God’s expectations. So, I took some time contemplating it. After prayers, I realized that I shouldn’t be scared to do it. Also, talking to Pastor Anthony and my cousin, Jayne, helped get rid of my worries tremendously.

**Sam** - I grew up in the church environment, but always lacked a serious commitment to put Christ first. Now that my kids are getting older and more independent, I have more time to reflect and act on what is important in life. 

<br>

**Story Team: Who or what encouraged or inspired you most as you prepared for baptism?**

**Taylor -** My dad encouraged me because we were both taking the step together. We supported each other through the process and will forever be a memory for the both of us. Additionally, I had a long talk with Annah and Jayne about me taking this step, which made me feel so at peace. 

**Sam -** Watching my daughter desire to have a closer relationship with God inspired me.

<br>

**Story Team: You chose to take this step together, what did that mean for each of you?**

**Taylor -** For me, it meant so much to have my dad take this step with me. I have always wanted us to be baptized together and it was so much more than I could’ve hoped for. Taking this step of faith created a great memory and now I feel like we are more connected.

**Sam -** It was an unbelievable experience to embark on this journey together and I am thrilled for what the future has in store, for both of us.

<br>

**Story Team: For another Hoboken Grace community member who may be thinking about taking this step, what would you say to them?**

**Taylor -** I would say: don’t be afraid to mess up. That was the one thing that I was scared about because I thought you had to be perfect after you were baptized. Fortunately, that is not the case! Baptism is a public display of faith and it doesn’t mean you won’t ever make a mistake again. 

**Sam -** Trust that God has something better planned for your life and take the leap of faith and do it.

<br>

**Story Team:** **When you look back on your baptism day, what’s the one moment that stands out most to you? Did anything surprise you about the experience?**

**Taylor -** One moment that stood out to me was when I first got into the tub. Everything became still and all I could hear and see was Pastor Chris asking me the two questions. It was like everything got blocked out and all I could focus on was getting baptized. I also thought I would be scared to be in front of everyone, but I didn't even realize that there was a crowd. It felt like it was just my family right there with me.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1758133615/1_qahrkl.png)

**Sam -** Having my family and friends around the baptismal water was a memory I will not forget. The most surprising thing to me that day was the sense of calm I had in the morning and during worship service leading up to it.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1758133615/2_cp1x1x.png)

<br>

**What do you hope this step means for your journey moving forward?**

**Taylor -** I am entering a new chapter in my life and I hope that I continue growing and strengthening my relationship with God. I want to keep putting my relationship with Him first and I know that He will always be there for me. 

**Sam -** My aspiration is to align with God’s purpose for me, enabling me to grow as a father, husband, brother, son, friend, neighbor etc….


A Shared Step of Faith: Father & Daughter Baptism Story

I’ve laughed, prayed, wrestled with questions, celebrated milestones, and walked through more than a few tough moments with my Dinner Groups over the past 17 years.

I’ve met in living rooms, conference rooms, steakhouses, bars, and around more dinner tables than I can count. The setting changes, but what happens in those spaces has stayed the same. Every week, people show up, bring what they have, and share life together.

And I’m more convinced than ever that this is one of the most important things we do as a church.

Over the years, I’ve walked through a lot of different seasons. I was single. Then dating. Then married. Then navigating infertility. Then figuring out what it means to be a parent. Then raising students. At every point, I had someone in group who had already been there. Someone who understood. When I talked about what I was walking through, I didn’t get quick answers or clichés. I got people who listened. Who reminded me I wasn’t alone. Who encouraged me and kept pointing me to Jesus. And sometimes, who made me laugh when I needed that most.

Yes, we talk about faith. Yes, we pray together. But there’s a lot of laughter too. Sometimes it’s something someone says. Sometimes it’s something that happened during the week. Sometimes it’s just the way the conversation goes. That kind of laughter has a way of grounding you. It reminds you that this is more than just a group of people meeting once a week. It’s a group that enjoys being together. And honestly, those shared moments of joy have carried me through just as much as the serious ones.

One of my favorite parts of group is seeing new people get connected. I get why it feels intimidating at first. You walk into a room and it looks like everyone’s already friends, but most of the time, that kind of closeness doesn’t come from years of friendship. It comes from people choosing to be present. From the kinds of conversations we have. From showing up for each other. That depth builds faster than you'd think.

I think that depth happens fast because we don’t experience it much anywhere else. It’s just not that common to sit down with people and actually talk about things that matter.

It’s not just small talk or debating opinions. We talk about real life, with people who genuinely care about each other.

It’s a space where you can be honest about what you're walking through, or how God’s stretching you, and know you won’t be met with judgment—but with support and encouragement.

Even after all this time, I still find myself surprised by what happens in group. Someone new finds their voice. Someone asks a question I haven’t thought about in years. There’s always someone who reminds me why this still matters.

I’ve had so many conversations with people who weren’t sure about group. They didn’t know what to expect, or thought they wouldn’t have much to offer, but over and over again, I’ve seen the same thing. People show up a little unsure, take a seat, and something starts to shift. Not all at once, but little by little. They find people who care. They start having conversations they didn’t know they needed. And eventually, they begin to realize they have something to contribute too.

That’s what’s normal in group. Everyone brings something. We just don’t always know when. It might be a story. It might be a question. Sometimes, it’s just showing up and listening, but it matters and it makes a difference.

God works through relationships. God works through his people. Through questions. Through quiet weeks and breakthrough weeks. Group has shown me that again and again.

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You don’t have to be at your best.

Just show up, join in, and be real.

You’ll be surprised what God can do with it.


Why I Still Show Up to Group After 17 Years

Before she knew God, Danielle Padua called her career path “random.” She majored in industrial engineering at Penn State and, shortly after graduating, started a job in manufacturing with Anheuser Busch. At the same time, she worked a demanding schedule as a dancer for the New York Knicks. She’d danced at Penn State, danced her whole life—dancing for an NBA team under the bright lights of the ‘world’s most famous arena’ was her dream. 

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1738273304/IMG_0414_1_x9lrl3.jpg)

<div style="text-align: left">But the practicality of bouncing back and forth from Newark to Madison Square Garden took its toll and, after two years, Danielle stepped away from her job with Busch. She started teaching workout classes with Jane Do while she looked for a new job—a short-term solution that resulted in a full-time position as the Hoboken fitness business’ studio manager. Finally, she was in a place where she felt happy, content. Then, 2020 and COVID hit.</div>

“Group fitness and entertainment changed completely,” she said. “Overnight, my identity was basically taken from me because, at the time, I put so much of who I was into these two positions.”

Like many, the COVID outbreak forced Danielle to focus on what really mattered. She took the time to examine herself and her heart. During this time, she also started attending Hoboken Grace with her then-fiance, now husband, Blake. And it was here that she realized there was nothing “random” about her path at all. It was all by design. 

In our new series, we’ll be taking you behind the scenes with staff members whose work and faith play a key role in impacting our community both inside our church family and throughout the surrounding area. Today, we’re learning more about Danielle:

**Hoboken Grace: You’ve had a very interesting, exciting, career path. Can you share a bit about what drew you to your role at Hoboken Grace?** 

**Danielle Padua:** The short answer is God. My journey with God is a big part of this story. At the same time Covid hit, I was dancing professionally and running a fitness studio here in Hoboken. Suddenly, when I wasn't dancing, when I wasn't teaching in front of a crowd, all that validation I was getting from external things was gone. I began asking what am I doing here, what’s my next move? I’d been dancing since I could walk, so that being taken away was really hard.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1738272823/IMG_7813_1_u3fhq9.jpg)

In the midst of that, my husband encouraged us to find a church. And that started my spiritual journey. Fast forward a little bit, and I was approached about a position at Hoboken Grace that was open. At the time, I had been praying that by the time I turned 30 that I would find a job that I felt good about, that I could pour into and really believed in. I prayed about it for months and months, and finally just gave it to God. Then, sure enough, on my 30th birthday, the job offer from Hoboken Grace came into my inbox. 

I had been serving with First Impressions for about a year before this, but Blake and I were getting more consistent serving together. We were getting more involved. I’d been staying after to help with whatever I could. So working at Hoboken Grace was in the back of my head for a while. It all worked out really beautifully and God gave me so much peace about it. Because,  yes, it was really scary to jump ship and work in ministry when I'd been a believer for all of like two-years, if that!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1738273343/52383941514_ed62ceb693_o_4_ok6bzp.jpg)

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1738273342/52383938214_28c3c2ed42_o_2_mpikmg.jpg)

**HG: So you’re new to attending church?**

**Danielle:** Yes! I didn’t grow up going to church, not really. I grew up Catholic, we believed in God and recognized God, but not in a personal way. I knew it was important, but never really dove fully in. Coming to church here was the first time I felt like I really developed that personal relationship with God. I now have my own relationship with the Lord, and I’m able to grow and be confident in my own faith.

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdwBsvhKsZ3v3DSHF_Tka3HUW_IVENQjKb5XuakDR8Imeg5ydDpy5qRSpOtW9zdGEk56Lcxp6HL1cvEjk5wEIwNjHfO6PWeYBB7uR1Mkq5-lZn--UM21vxprTeSupO2a9vT15wzvw?key=KDru5XIs04oPzPo2ZRFnRQ)

![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdVk48EmNA-yOrFJU2xlNa4ag_GcGfDf0eUplodVawADPAw2yJhXuPuysHDQgiQrfVnM9U4kngKpl1TgOUoVOVAS5zsEofnOuU171a68a7oRimEkM6iZaZSBlPu51Sil789Q74BXQ?key=KDru5XIs04oPzPo2ZRFnRQ)

**HG: You just made the move from working with Grace Kids to Community Partnerships, congrats! What does a typical day look like in your new role?**

**Danielle:** My day-to-day in this role can look very different depending on what's happening in our church community. Last month, we were gearing up for our annual Christmas Exchange and working hard to ensure all the details were in place to love the families receiving gifts well! The application deadlines for two of our global mission trips were also approaching, which means coming alongside our global partners to finalize our plans for the upcoming visit.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1738273332/54204248922_7fdb968690_o_1_ob2tig.jpg)

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1738273319/54134370934_a6fd808624_o_desgz0.jpg)

**HG: What has been your favorite part of the job so far?**

**Danielle:** I love having the opportunity to expand our reach through events like the Hoboken Harvest Festival! It's exciting to be able to introduce someone new to Hoboken Grace and share the light of Jesus with them.

**HG: Reflecting on your time with Grace Kids, what was the best part of that job?**

**Danielle:** The biggest thing was seeing God moving and working in kids’ lives. Seeing them understanding God. Seeing them get that Jesus is for them and loves them and wants to have a relationship with them, it brings me to tears every time because I was 28 when that happened for me. To know that those kids get to live their whole lives knowing Jesus, it’s the craziest thing for me because I didn’t have that. And I know God works in everyone’s stories very differently, but it just speaks to what God can do because seeing Him work in their lives and seeing how they understand Him is just beautiful, nothing beats it. 

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1738273306/53875002588_2d77de30b3_o_1_wwlsfu.jpg)

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1738272823/54102952924_e7823aa848_o_2_udgvzy.jpg)

**HG: How have you felt His hand or seen God working through this time and transition?**

**Danielle:** In this transition, God has continually brought me back to Matthew 6:33: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” When stepping into something new, you're not going to have all the answers. This time has really reminded me that I need to, and have the privilege to, rely on God to give me the strength and wisdom to keep moving forward. 

To learn more about Danielle’s story, [watch here](https://youtu.be/Jhx6jS3w16Q).


Meet The Staff: Danielle Padua

Guatemala City Mission Trip

A Diverse, Growing, Contemporary, Community Church in Hoboken

Everything we do revolves around our mission of helping people find their way back to God. Our goal is to demonstrate who God really is and to let others know that God wants a relationship with each and every one of us.

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