Kinyatta recently learned what it truly meant to trust Jesus as her Lord and Savior, and she was baptized this past weekend! Check out her story:
My name is Kinyatta Depperman, and I am 24 years old. I was first introduced to Grace Community Church by my best friend Annie Lubin and her parents, Bill and Dominique Holbrook, when I was a sophomore in high school. I would attend service intermittently with Annie and her family throughout high school as well as college, and though I would listen to the pastors’ sermons and nod my head and say “amen,” I truly never took what was said to heart until recently within the last five to six months.
In the beginning of my college career, I experienced a hard breakup and began to battle with depression and anxiety soon after. I looked to fill the void I was feeling in my heart with things that were not healthy physically, emotionally, and spiritually. At times, I would think that these things were actually making me happy and whole but then realized that empty feeling was still there. I would confide in Annie because her advice always came from a place of love and understanding, yet when she would ask me to attend service with her I would say “yes” but end up finding an excuse as to why I could not go.
After graduating from college, I met another amazing person, and his name is Tyler Stevens. Tyler and I have been together for almost two years, and, with him, I have been able to grow and progress in forming my relationship with Jesus. I continued to struggle with depression and anxiety through our first year of dating, and when I had reached my lowest point and felt that I was alone and had no hope, Tyler was always there to love and comfort me by telling me that no matter what I was going through, that I was never truly alone. Tyler continuously reminded me that I have an amazing support system, not only through him and my family and friends, but through Jesus. He reassured me that even in my darkest moments, Jesus never left my side.
Over the past few months I have began to build on my relationship with Jesus through daily devotionals, prayer, books, and even podcasts to listen to other people’s stories on their personal journeys with Jesus. Working on my relationship with Christ has already begun to fill the void I was looking for in other things. I know that my I will have my share of struggles, as I am not perfect, but I am happy to know that Jesus is by my side every step of the way to comfort me, support me, and show me that he will continue to be there to take my burdens from me.
Annie once said to me a verse that always stuck with me but never held true meaning until I finally fully accepted Jesus into my life as my Lord and Savior. She recited Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
God has placed such amazing people in my life. People who are kindhearted, understanding, and love so unconditionally the way Jesus loves us. So my decision to get baptized is a way to show my love and devotion to Jesus who died for me.
Baptism at Grace
During all worship gatherings on Baptism Weekends, we celebrate the very reason we exist as a church: Christ’s mission to make disciples, baptizing and teaching in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28: 19-20). We share testimonies of how Jesus changes lives now and for eternity. And the best part… we baptize with a joy that’s out of this world!