Baptisms at Hoboken Grace are always powerful moments. We love to celebrate and are honored to be part of the journey when someone takes this next step in their faith.

It doesn’t matter where you are or what you’ve done, God is pursuing you exactly as you are. Shivonne and Fiorella recently discovered this themselves and realized they didn’t need to make a huge change or reach a certain level of perfection before they took the next step of faith. They decided to come to Him and take the step of baptism exactly as they were!

The Story Team recently spoke with them about their experience.

Shivonne

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

Shivonne: A huge celebration, inside and out! Taking this step in front of a church community that truly comes together and celebrates baptism with such joy and energy was a feeling I would have never imagined or even associated with a baptism. It was such a remarkable experience and day!

Story Team: Who was up there with you?

Shivonne: My son Easton, his dad, Jason, and my best friend, Olesia, all joined me on stage.

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

Shivonne: Thinking about taking this step is all you actually need to take this step. That’s the sign. That’s it. For 2 years, I delayed my baptism looking for additional signs that I was ready. They never happened. What actually occurred was Pastor Chris reminding us all that faith is a ‘step first’ process. It wasn’t a sign. It was simple logic.

Story Team: What made you take the step of baptism, and why was it important to you?

Shivonne: Being Baptized signifies so much for me. I grew up Catholic and had been attending church, sporadically, since childhood (and at many points in my life, not at all). When my son was born, I knew that before I planned his Dedication, I needed to reconnect with my own faith so that committing my son to Christ would be more than a checkbox. For me, that meant stepping out of my 39-year religious comfort zone and into an entirely new ideaology. When I did that, I found Hoboken Grace. Attending service at Hoboken Grace for the first time, I new this was my vessel. Soon after, my son was dedicated and my own baptism here was the next important step in this renewed faith journey!

Fiorella

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

Fiorella: I got very emotional, but in a good way. I wanted to scream and say “thank you!” to God! I felt extremely grateful to Him for all he has done!

Story Team: Who was up there with you?

Fiorella: My husband, my one year old son, my parents and sister.

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

Fiorella: Follow your heart! If it has crossed your mind, it’s most likely because it’s in your heart to do it, so don’t be afraid. I was troubled by so many questions and doubts in mind, but in the end I followed my heart and I’m so glad I did!

Story Team: What made you take the step of baptism, and why was it important to you?

Fiorella: I’m so grateful to God, I can’t even explain the feeling of gratitude I feel for all He has done for me. And I feel I want to get closer to Him and engage with Him.

Story Team: Anything else you’d like to share?

Fiorella: I’m also grateful for the pastors and all the people I’ve met in Hoboken Grace, and for all the opportunities to help people who were once lost, but not anymore!

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To learn more about baptism and how you can take this step of faith click here.