Survivors and Staff Share What God’s Love Means During Recent Baptism

During a recent baptism at Hope Center Indy, residents, staff, and friends gathered to celebrate one resident’s public declaration of faith in Jesus and to celebrate God’s love at work in her life.

As the song, How He Loves Us, played, voices filled the room in beautiful worship. Residential team member, Joyce Helfers, shared a brief lesson about God’s love: “It is not distant or conditional, but personal and present, even in seasons of hardship and healing,” Joyce shared. Focusing on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, she added “God’s” love to the well-known passage as a way to reflect on the character of His love:

"(God's) Love is patient, (God's) love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (God's) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (God's) Love never fails."

Then, Joyce asked a simple question: “What does God’s love mean to you?”

Here are some of the words that were shared:

“A gentle, steady breeze that keeps me away from the rocks”

“Immaculate, never ending, beautiful, warm, a cozy blanket on a rainy day, pulls us out when we’re drowning, getting through major surgery, like brain surgery, and surrounding us with peace”

“He created love, trust, hope. Love is community, grace, forgiveness, growth, joy, everything pure, beautiful, priceless, eternal, how “reckless” He is, He left the 99 for the one”

“Unconditional, transforming, never ending”

“Safety, game changer, changes everything”

“A warm hug when I was hurting so bad and I could barely think, knowing that I’m ready to go through it but it’s okay because He’s with me”

“Unfailing, peaceful, He is love. He healed me.”

“Meeting me in my brokenness, when I thought I was better off dead”

“Wants to support you and seeing your value.”

“The transformation is God’s love in action.”

“His love is like nothing this world can give, and once you experience it, you won’t want to turn away.”

During the song Your Love Is Extravagant, the survivor being baptized raised her hands high as she worshiped the Lord. Moments later, she stepped into the baptistry, surrounded by staff and friends who stood beside her in support.

“God changed my life. As soon as I accepted Him into my heart, I knew things were different. I ran away for a little while, but He chased me. This time I said, I’m all in. Let’s make it official!” she exclaimed.

Following her baptism, the room filled with loud praise, hugs, and happy tears.

As the resident prayed, she said:

“Thank you, Jesus, for getting me to this moment after so many times feeling like I wasn’t going to live another day. Thank you for Your love through all the times that shouldn’t have been my story. I am so grateful You speak life into me and for the people who encourage me on my hard and good days. I’m excited to see where this path takes me. It’s the small things that add up every single day. I am so thankful, Lord.”

Other residents and staff then offered prayers of blessing over her. One resident prayed:

“I thank You, Lord, that she is blessed with a new beginning. Thank You for her courageous step to come here. I love hearing her giggles. It makes my heart giggle. Thank You for her commitment to herself, for her kindness, for her resilience. She has a beautiful testimony, and I know You will use it to help change other people’s hearts.”

In the closing prayer, Pastor Hubert gave voice to what the room had been celebrating all along. As he prayed, the ask was simple and sincere, that God would stretch out His hand over her, that she would feel His cleansing love shed in her heart, and that she would love well and be loved well. He thanked God for the opportunity to know and walk alongside this incredible woman. The room rejoiced, celebrating what God has done and trusting Him for all that is still to come!