Testimonies - Baptism
This morning, on Saturday, November 11, 2023, the celebrations of SWAN's second anniversary began gloriously with the baptism of 12 members of the assembly by Prophet Cyrille Bankolé. Despite the winter season, God's grace was evident with bright sunshine, warm water, an atmosphere charged with His presence, and a gathering of over 100 people. Each baptized individual shared their testimony, highlighting radical changes resulting from their choice to follow Jesus, such as exiting abusive relationships, ceasing harmful behaviors, deliverance from jealousy, and discovering a new identity. The prophet emphasized the importance of parents' role in the destiny of their children, urging everyone to be a positive example and to pray continually for their children.
Testimonies
1) Gratia testifies to her experience with Jesus since the age of 12. She recounts how Jesus appeared as a light in her life, freeing her from various negative influences and bringing a new color to her existence. She emphasizes the peace, unconditional love, and positive change she has experienced since surrendering control of her life to God. Gratia expresses gratitude for the grace of knowing Jesus and is ready to enter into a spiritual union with Him, acknowledging that her transformation is due to the blood shed for her.
2) Dario testifies to his journey of faith, explaining how he fell into the sin of youth despite his Christian upbringing. He shares his refusal to attend church and rebellious behavior towards any authority. However, after a realization, he acknowledges that his life cannot continue this way. Dario realizes Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for him, forsakes his sins, and expresses gratitude to God, his family, and Prophet Cyrille Bankolé. He publicly announces his decision to leave his sins behind and be reborn in Christ through the waters of baptism.
3) Roxane testifies to her past marked by oppression, addictions, depression, and suicidal thoughts. She describes how God answered her call, led her to SWAN, delivered her, and taught her the need to fight certain battles with His support. Roxane expresses her decision to go through the waters of baptism as a symbol of renewal, resurrection with Christ, and liberation. She acknowledges her need to be taught to move forward.
4) Thomas shares his journey where, despite a Christian upbringing, he drifted away from the church. The persistent prayers of his mother had an impact, and he started attending church about a year ago. He emphasizes learning about God's constant presence and the assurance of victory with Him against fears Thomas expresses gratitude for the love and divine protection throughout his life, reinforcing his connection with God. He joyfully announces his decision to participate in baptism, considering it a new celebration with his community.
5) Bayo shares his journey as a member of a Christian family but deviating from teachings as he grew up. He admits succumbing to dishonesty, theft, and other negative behaviors. Even after giving his life to the Lord at 14, he acknowledges that no significant change had occurred. Around the age of 15, he becomes aware of his drift and starts making small changes. Through SWAN's teachings and support, as well as encouragement from his parents, Bayo decides to make a radical turnaround in his life. He chooses to leave behind his old habits, like worldly music and the absence of the Word in his life. While he admits that not all changes happened instantly, he asserts that many things are much better in his life. Bayo makes the public decision to go through the waters of baptism to testify to the transformation Jesus has brought into his life. He emphasizes that he is no longer the same rebellious teenager and now sees the truth.
6) Elisheva shares her testimony by acknowledging that she used to practice secrecy, lies, contradictions, negative thoughts, and jealousy. After giving her life to Jesus, she notices a decrease in these behaviors, although they are not completely eliminated. She still acknowledges struggles with envy but affirms her faith in God to provide for all her needs. Elisheva admits that she hasn't stopped some negative thoughts and avoided repeating her mistakes. She decides to go through the waters of baptism, hoping to put an end to her sins and symbolize a fresh start in her spiritual life.
7) Jocelyne shares her testimony by expressing a profound transformation in her life. Before knowing Christ, she was stubborn, refused to share and forgive, and found it easy to lie. She thought she was right in her actions and ignored the consequences of her choices. She used to isolate herself and often felt lonely. Her life took a turn when she accepted an invitation to a seminar at SWAN on couples and families, where she met Jesus and learned about His sacrifice. Today, she accepts Jesus as her savior and Lord, expressing gratitude for the grace of baptism, symbolizing her death and resurrection with Christ.
8) Jonathan shares his testimony, explaining that he decided to dedicate his life to Jesus Christ after going through an extremely difficult period where he had contemplated suicide and felt deeply discouraged. His girlfriend connected him with Prophet Cyrille, who welcomed him like his own son and supported him through prayer. Establishing personal discipline, including an hour of prayer every evening, things began to improve gradually. Seeking God's will, Jonathan found relevant examples for his situation and decided to follow God's path, going from victory to victory. He gained new insights through teachings on baptisms and experienced deep transformation. Although his problems are not completely resolved, he found inner peace and confidence in God's faithfulness. Jonathan testifies to his transformation by being baptized, desiring to inspire those who are lost and change lives with the power of God.
9) Juste shares his testimony by explaining that as a child, he was a Christian and is now a child of God. He makes the distinction between being a Christian and being a child of God, emphasizing that the title of Christian can be attributed to those who believe in God, while a child of God gives their life to their Lord. At the age of 13, Juste felt stress and anger, leading him to seek inner peace by attending church. However, he found no significant change in his life until he attended a church called SWAN. There, he felt the action of a powerful spirit, and after the pastor asked him the crucial question, "Do you want to give your life to Christ?" he found inner peace and decided to give his life to Christ. Juste shares his testimony to highlight the importance of this fundamental decision in the relationship with Christ.
10) Plenny shares his testimony, explaining that he grew up in a Catholic family, but his adolescence was marked by a loss of passion for football, his former passion. This period left him without a purpose in life until he attended a summer camp that revived his joy. Seeking wealth in various aspects of life, he realized that true wealth lay in family, friends, and, above all, the grace of God. Plenny gradually realized the importance of getting closer to God, especially by following his mother's example. He discovered that even though he knew the Word of God, he was not fully living it. Following a realization, Plenny decided to give his life to Christ, expressing gratitude to God and offering his life for the glory of Christ. He wishes others to see Jesus Christ through his love and joy.
11) Keesha shares her testimony by emphasizing that she grew up in a Presbyterian family before her parents became Christians when she was between 5 and 6 years old. She considered herself a Christian superficially, reciting prayers for animals but without a real understanding. At the age of 10, she met Pastor Cyrille, marking the beginning of a deeper awareness of prayer and the importance of her relationship with God. In August 2020, she genuinely accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior, which was the best decision of her life. Although she acknowledges going through ups and downs, she asserts that her life has changed significantly for the better since the start of her relationship with God.
12) Bénita shares her testimony by starting with a superficial relationship with the church, where her baptism was motivated by the desire to participate in communion. At 19, she enters an abusive relationship that lasts 8 years, resulting in emotional, family, and academic challenges. In January 2022, alone at home, she wonders about her future and prays to God for answers. The following month, invited by her sister to SWAN, she discovers peace and radical transformation. Since consecrating herself to the Lord, she has found peace, resumed her studies, exited the abusive relationship, and eliminated negative thoughts. Her water baptism seals her promise to follow God and draw near to the image of Christ. Bénita testifies to SWAN as a family and a house of deliverance, healing, joy, and the presence of God. She concludes by thanking God for His listening, referring to Jeremiah 33:3, and praising God for who He is.
Through these 12 inspiring testimonies shared during the baptism, we have witnessed profound transformations in the lives of those who chose to follow Jesus. Diverse narratives, yet all carrying the same truth: the transformative power of faith. These men and women have overcome trials, abandoned harmful habits, and discovered a new life in Christ.
Baptism, a symbolic moment of death to sin and resurrection to a new life, marked the beginning of a spiritual journey for each of them. Themes such as deliverance, discovering identity in Christ, victory over suicidal thoughts, and the restoration of family relationships were recurring. These testimonies reveal God's immeasurable grace and the love He offers to those who choose to follow Him.
In conclusion, these narratives are poignant reminders of the transformative power of the gospel and the impact a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can have. May these testimonies continue to inspire and strengthen the faith of all who hear them, and may each person find encouragement and hope in the transformational path God has laid out for them. Amen.
