Every story points to Jesus.
Baptism is a powerful moment where people go public with their decision to follow Jesus—a step of obedience and a celebration of new life. Each story below is a glimpse into God’s transforming love at work: healing hearts, redeeming pasts, and leading people into a life of purpose and hope. We pray these stories encourage your faith and remind you that no matter where you’ve been, Jesus is still writing redemptive stories today—and He wants to do the same in your life.
8AM Experience
Vanessa Lopez — Vanessa grew up a pastor's kid — she always knew about Jesus, but ran from a real relationship with Him for years. She was searching for love and validation in places that never satisfied. When she finally had nothing left in herself, she asked God to change her heart. He did, and she's never wanted to go back.
9:30AM Experience
Jaylah Sessoms — Jaylah has been through some of the hardest things a teenager can face. In the middle of it, she prayed and told God she wanted to feel accepted by Him. She's being baptized to start a new life and step into the full love and freedom He offers.
Hadley Core — Hadley prayed and asked Jesus into her heart when she was 6. Since then, she's been on a mission to know Him more — she's reading through the entire Bible this year. She's being baptized because she loves the Lord and wants to follow Him.
Grelia Eban — Grelia grew up in a family of faith, but walked through a season of doubting God's goodness and strayed. After rededicating her life a couple of years ago, she's found more joy, less anxiety, and a deeper wisdom through God's Word. She's ready to take the next step.
Constantino Marcelo-Cabanas — Constantino was rebellious, purposeless, and angry before a desperate search for Jesus began to change him. He's more compassionate, closer to his family, and is now sharing his faith journey publicly through his motorsports platform. He's being baptized because he's done waiting — God calls the broken, not the righteous.
Olivia Crite — Olivia felt something missing her whole life. At 13, after losing people she loved, she started actually talking to Jesus — and everything else became okay. She's been drawn toward baptism ever since, and today she's answering that pull.
Kingston Crite — Kingston has always had Jesus in his life. He prayed for a little sister, and God answered. He's being baptized to deepen a faith that has always been home to him.
Ava Purgason — Ava and her twin sister Arden have been part of the Definition family since it was Daystar. On their own, both girls decided they were ready to be baptized — an expression of the love for Jesus they've been growing into together.
Arden Purgason — Arden and her twin sister Ava have grown up loving Jesus together. Choosing baptism on their own, they're stepping into the water side by side to walk with Him.
Chrissy Turpin — Chrissy spent most of her life believing she wasn't worthy of God's love and that everything she touched she ruined. In 2024, at the lowest point of her life, Jesus met her in the darkness — and she walked into Definition for the first time and wept, because she didn't know His love could feel that good. She's never been the same.
Philip Tipton — Philip knew Jesus as a kid but drifted for years into wrong choices and a lost identity. About four years ago, he understood there was no purpose without Him, and since then has been on a steady journey back — through prayer, Scripture, and intentional time with God. He's being baptized to publicly declare his decision to follow Jesus.
Janice Cox — In 2021, Janice lost her husband of more than 35 years to a senseless act of violence. She carried the grief and guilt of that day for years. Then she came to Definition, walked through Freedom, and found something she thought was gone forever — the capacity to love again. She fell in love with Jesus, and she's being baptized to announce her surrender.
Shelby Thomas — Shelby spent years looking for validation in people, work, and success, feeling spiritually disconnected even when life looked fine on the outside. Through prayer and a community that encouraged her faith, she started hearing God's voice and trusting His timing. She's being baptized as an outward sign of the transformation He's been doing in her heart.
Sebastian Smalls — Sebastian learned about Jesus from his mom and dad when he was little, and it's made him happier ever since. He's being baptized to show other people that he believes in Jesus.
11:15AM Experience
Shylah Coble — Shylah grew up attending Definition but spent years on the outside looking in, searching for love and belonging in the wrong places. Last year, one Wednesday night at youth changed everything. She found a community and a Jesus she'd never really known, and hasn't looked back since.
Kadi Maiga — Kadi grew up as a non-practicing Muslim, wrestling with teachings about God that never quite fit what she felt in her heart. When she discovered that God's love isn't earned through performance, everything shifted. She's being baptized knowing she is loved exactly as she is.
Jason Kirby — Jason knows life is simply better with Jesus in it. Introduced to faith through his parents, he's seen Christ change him and his life in ways he can't fully put into words. He's ready to make it official.
Josh Smith — Josh found himself lost before faith and community pulled him back. He's being baptized to show Jesus — and his daughter — what God has done in his life, and to let go and fully trust Him going forward.
Sophia Nieves — Sophia felt sad and alone before her dad started reading the Bible with her and her mom showed her how to love like Jesus. Now her whole desire is to be like Jesus and make Him proud. She's being baptized to follow Him — and her family will be right there in the water with her.
Gia Nieves — Gia has been in church her whole life, but recently realized she needed to stop going through the motions and truly surrender. She now seeks Jesus daily through devotionals and worship, and is being baptized to follow Him wholeheartedly.
Jordan Hooper — After a painful relationship left Jordan feeling lost and disconnected from God, she found her way back. She's discovered a new love for herself and the world around her, and is being baptized to fully surrender her life to Jesus.
Tanner Carter — A difficult season this year brought Tanner to his knees and into a genuine relationship with Jesus. He's seen more patience, love, and compassion grow in his life since, and is being baptized for a fresh start and a new walk with Christ.
Hayden Hester — Hayden has been a Christian his whole life, but in the past couple of years intentionally surrounded himself with believers who helped deepen his faith. He's seen real change in how he lives, and is being baptized to publicly show his devotion to Christ.
Carson Hester — Carson has always known Jesus, but recent relationships and life circumstances stirred something in him. He's working on his habits and his heart, and is being baptized to fully surrender himself to Christ.
Chase Thompson — Chase came to church full of questions about who God is, and children's ministry gave him a place to ask them. Over time, the answers came — and so did a trust in Jesus he can't keep to himself. He wants everyone to know.
Tonny Rmah — Tonny was lost and without direction before a difficult season earlier this year led him to the Collective. He kept coming back, joined Freedom, and found something worth holding onto. He's being baptized to declare his love for Jesus.
Yudelca Judy Betances — Judy came to Jesus carrying strongholds, unforgiveness, bitterness, and fear. Through her relationship with Him, she's learning to surrender and be led by the Holy Spirit. She's being baptized as a symbol of washing clean and starting new.
Nehemiah Thompson — Nehemiah says every day used to feel rough. Since he started going to church, he trusts Jesus more, prays more, and reads his Bible. He's being baptized so Jesus knows he's with Him.
Santana Garner — Santana has known Jesus since she was a toddler. Full of joy and pride, she's being baptized with one simple hope: so she can see God.