Ashley’s Story
“I was baptized as a young child and attended church regularly. As a teenager I fell away, never denying Christ but definitely not living as I should. A little over two years ago I attended a small church in Beaufort, SC, where Jesus just grabbed ahold of me and it’s been an exciting journey ever since.
I felt like I finally had a home. I was shown that it wasn't just about believing in God and Jesus, but how to actually have a relationship with Him. God put the most amazing people in my life to help me in this process of growing and maturing as a Christian, but as we all know, growing as a Christian can come with its fair share of trials.
A year after my new-found relationship with Christ, my marriage started suffering due to infidelity, but God stood right beside me the whole time. Through prayer I was extremely comforted and strengthened.
Every time they had a baptism service at church I'd wrestle with the idea of whether or not I should do it again. I would always have some excuse like ‘You were already baptized’ but it never left my heart and I was finally faced with the reality that I simply was too shy to get up in front of a whole church.
Last November after the infidelity had continued I felt I needed to leave, and my husband and I are now separated. I moved back to my mother’s home here in Savannah and went through a very hard, lonely time. During this time was when God did most of his work in me. He taught me to come to him for comfort, direction and guidance and not others. He showed me how to completely forgive and trust Him. He held my hand when I was scared and confused, lost and lonely and he comforted me when I had to hold my 3-year-old while she cried for her daddy at night.
I felt his complete love for me during this time, and when he got me to a place of stability he placed me in Compassion Christian. I had been praying for a church where I could learn and grow and be a part of something.
When Cam mentioned the baptisms that would take place on Easter weekend I wrestled with the idea of whether or not I should do it. Sitting in church that Saturday evening I felt the strength of the Holy Spirit, something I've only truly felt this strong once before. I was filled with a strong desire to go up and publicly proclaim my love and belief in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
My family said I had a smile from ear to ear and they knew I was going to do it. There was no denying it for me. He wanted me, too, and He knew I would be nervous, so he didn't make me do it alone. As soon as I stood up, a calm came over me that made me happy and excited. I wasn't nervous or scared anymore.
I believe God has an incredible future for me, and I believe that He will restore my marriage or give me the strength to start over. Either way my trust and hope is in Him.”
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