For as long as I can remember, church has been part of my life. I was baptized as a child, though the memory is fuzzy — just water in a small wooden bowl and a couple of drops on my head. At the time, while I had gone through classes and knew Jesus was my LORD and Savior, I was still really too young to understand the true meaning. And now I do, this post is all about my Ocean City Baptism Testimony.
Fast forward many decades, and my walk with Jesus took me to an unforgettable moment: my Ocean City baptism testimony. It was more than just an act of faith — it was a step of courage, healing, and learning to put God first.
Childhood Memories of Baptism
Growing up, church was familiar, but my faith wasn’t yet deeply personal. I didn’t know if I had ever been christened, but I do remember being “baptized” as a child in a traditional way. Still, the significance didn’t fully sink in until later in life.
Ocean City – A Place of Memories and Meaning
Ocean City, Maryland, has always been like a second home. From childhood to adulthood, it’s where my family has vacationed, laughed, and made memories — both joyful and painful.
But while everyone else enjoyed the waves, the ocean was always something I feared. At most, I’d wade in knee-deep and more often than not, placed my chair ‘surf side’ just enough to get my legs wet. Heaven forbid I get wiped out by a wave I didn’t see coming 😀 But I never went further. The water felt too unpredictable, too powerful and too overwhelming.
Witnessing Baptism on the Beach
Last year, when I began attending SonRise Church in nearby Berlin, I heard about their annual baptisms on the beach. My husband and I went to watch and I was so glad we did.
That evening, 50 or 60 people walked into the cold Atlantic waves, proclaiming their faith in Jesus and being raised to life in Christ. The water was rough, but their joy was undeniable. Watching them, I felt something stir in me. Baptism wasn’t just a ritual — it was a bold proclamation of a new life in Christ.
My Ocean City Baptism Testimony
When the date was set for the next baptism, I knew without hesitation: it was time. Even with my fear of the ocean, I felt God calling me to take this step of obedience.
The day arrived, and everything fell perfectly into place. We were on vacation in Ocean City, the weather was beautiful, the waves were gentle, and the water was warm. My daughter and her friend came to watch. My husband and son walked beside me into the surf. My son’s girlfriend witnessed this with us as well.
In that moment, I laid my fear of the ocean down at God’s feet. As I went under the water, I thought of all the hurt, sin, and brokenness of my past. And as I rose back up, I felt renewed — raised to life in Christ. It didn’t erase everything I had done or endured, but it gave me fresh perspective and hope.
What Baptism Taught Me About Faith
Baptism isn’t about perfection — it’s about transformation. For me, it was also about courage. Facing the ocean and my fear mirrored what it means to trust God with the unknown.
I also learned something that took me 63 years to truly understand: God must come first. As a wife, mother, and GiGI, I always thought my role was to put family above everything else. But when God is the foundation of my life, everything else falls into place. I now feel that and believe that.
Living with a New Perspective
Since my baptism, songs about leaving sin “in the water” or rising to new life mean so much more. Scripture about renewal and trust feels alive in a fresh way. Below are some of my favorite scriptures about baptism –
- Romans 6:4 – Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
- Matthew 28:19 – G ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
Life isn’t suddenly perfect — family struggles remain, and I’m still far from flawless. But baptism gave me a new lens: to see God’s plan in the middle of the hurt, and to know His love is steady no matter what.
My Ocean City baptism testimony is one of the most significant moments of my life. It wasn’t just about conquering my fear of the ocean. It was about boldly proclaiming Jesus as my Savior, and stepping into a deeper walk of faith.
The world is very broken right now which may mean you are a little skeptical about publicly proclaiming your faith which I get. But we need more people. More people that will share the word and help mend this broken world.
If you’re considering baptism — whether in the ocean, a church, or a simple pool — know this: it’s not about where you start, but Who you rise with. Jesus invites you to leave the old behind and embrace the new life only He can give.
Photo credit for pictures used in this post – Dona Jung Photography – She is awesome, check her out!
