We are overjoyed to be celebrating 20+ people from our church being baptized over the next couple weeks! Join us this Sunday and next to witness kids, students, and adults making a public declaration of their commitment to follow Jesus. This occasion is uniquely special to Alyssa Salsedo and Joelle Sargent, two sisters who will be celebrating this milestone together. We are excited to share a bit of their stories in their own words here. Be sure to congratulate these sisters when you see them this Sunday (they’ll be baptized during the 9am service), as well as the many others taking this step.

-Carissa Gray, Communications Coordinator

Alyssa’s Story:

Since the end of 2024, my faith and love for Jesus Christ have grown in ways I never imagined. I want to be baptized to publicly declare that I believe Jesus is our Lord and Savior, and to show my commitment to living a life devoted to Him.

For years, I longed to grow spiritually but didn’t know how or didn’t make it a priority. With the encouragement of my family, especially my sister and cousins, and the welcoming community at Browncroft Community Church, I’ve felt God working in my life. This journey began between Thanksgiving and Christmas last year. My sister and cousins invited me to read the New Testament with them, and I immediately said yes. Not long after, my sister heard about Browncroft from a friend. After attending and loving it, she asked me if I’d like to join her. Again, I instantly said yes. I attended my first service on December 29th and haven’t missed a Sunday since because a hunger to learn more has been ignited in me. The staff, teams, missions, events, and everything about Browncroft has been such a blessing. While I’ve encountered faith at different points in my life, I’ve never experienced it this deeply. 

Currently, I am navigating the joyful chaos of raising two young daughters, ages one and four, with my husband. Before this spiritual renewal, my focus was largely on my career in marketing and my lifestyle with friends and family. I have struggled with anger, materialism, anxiety, and fear. Learning about Jesus and experiencing His love has been truly life-changing. When I found out that Browncroft was holding baptisms in May, I felt called to take this step. I’m incredibly thankful to have met with Pastor Peter to confirm my baptism, and I’m overjoyed that my sister will be baptized on the same day! This is a moment I will cherish forever!

Joelle’s Story:

Recently, I’ve opened my heart to a relationship with God, and as I’ve drawn closer to Him, I feel a clear and loving call to be baptized, a step I’ve never taken before, but one that now feels deeply personal and spirit-led. In this season of growing faith, I’ve been spending time in the New Testament, and His Word has been speaking to my heart. Scriptures like Matthew 3:13–17, where Jesus Himself is baptized, and Matthew 28:19–20, where He calls His followers to do the same, and how 1 Peter 2:21 reveals that following Jesus means walking in His footsteps and baptism is one of those first steps of obedience.

In this new journey with Jesus, I found my way to Browncroft. At my very first service, I witnessed a baptism that moved me to tears. It was as if God was showing me what was next for me. Then, He gave me one of the most special gifts: my sister joined me at Browncroft, not only for worship, but also to share the incredible experience of being baptized together. I’m so thankful to God for leading us both to this moment and for the way He continues to work in our lives.

Now, as I look ahead, I’m excited to continue growing in my faith, walking in step with Jesus, and living out the new life He has called me into. Being baptized has not only marked the beginning of a new chapter; it’s a public declaration of the transformation happening within me. I praise God for leading me here, and I trust He will continue to guide every step forward.