Baptism Testimonies: Sojourn’s Bill Flinn

We will celebrate another Baptism Sunday on November 14. If you would like to take this important step in identifying with Christ and His bride, email baptism@sojournchurch.com by Sunday, November 7.

And now, Bill Flinn tells the story of his salvation, which led to a recent baptism at Sojourn Gathered:

I was not raised a Christian.  I grew up a military brat in Des Moines, Iowa, but also spent time in Albuquerque before moving to a small town to spend my high school years with an aunt and uncle.  There I met some good friends, one of which brought me to church for the first time.  I went to youth group, heard a few bits of scripture, but I was mainly there to play basketball and hang out.  I was a selfish person, only thinking of myself and that lifestyle followed me to college and the next six years of my life.

As I was about to begin my second stint of college, I had just come out of a sinful five year relationship and was feeling overwhelmed with everything in life:  a stressful job, starting classes, attempting to get past the relationship…etc.  I had been invited to church by a friend and had been attending a college service and at that particular service I remember the pastor telling us that “…if we feel overwhelmed, if we’re tired of trying to do this all on our own, there is Someone that can help you.  Give it all to Jesus.  He is there for you.  He died for you and He can handle anything you have on your plate.  Give it to Him and worry about it no longer.”

That was a powerful moment for me.  I took all the pain and frustration that I had and gave it to Christ.  I gave it to Jesus and instantly I was relieved.  I had been to church in high school and had heard the gospel, but it never really connected.  This time it did.  Since that day I’ve been trying to live my life for God.  God has changed me into a more calm and patient person over the past five years.

I have been at Sojourn for a little over 16 months now and God has shifted my focus from myself, to assisting others and the students that I work with daily.  I continue to screw up, but when I do, I remember what Paul said to the Philippians: “because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil 1:5-6).