Baptism Testimonies: Sojourn’s Karla De Dominicis

We will celebrate another Baptism Sunday on July 11. If you would like to take this important step in identifying with Christ and His bride, email baptism@sojournchurch.com by Sunday, July 4.

And now, Karla De Dominicis tells the story of her salvation, which led to a recent baptism at Sojourn Gathered:

Growing up, I never had a problem with faith. I could confidently say that I was a Christian. But I couldn’t say that I knew what it meant to be a full believer in Jesus Christ. I could tell you what I was supposed to feel. I could tell you what I was supposed to say, but I couldn’t tell you if I truly believed in God.

I’ve not had the easiest life. Growing up I lived in a household with an alcoholic mother and a step father who was addicted to prescription pain killers. I have lived my whole life knowing that my biological father thought nothing of me and didn’t acknowledge me as one of his own. I’ve seen heartbreak and pain within my family. I watched my mother break when the only man I ever considered a father to me died due to his addiction. I’ve seen abuse, in every capacity, happen to the ones I care about the most in my life.

I started using drugs and drinking alcohol at 15, because I felt it was the only way I could escape from the pain that consistently surrounded me. I didn’t know, or didn’t want to know rather, that I could find an escape, a home, with Jesus.

Then when I was 18 I actively made a change in my life. I went to church, I enjoyed fellowship with my peers, and those I chose to surround myself with. I started to feel like I was healing. I went to church every Sunday and sang in the church choir. I helped organize and execute my church’s very first mission trip. I gave freely of my time and talent without expectations of reciprocity.

And then one day, I stopped. I can’t tell you now what caused me to make this decision, I just know that the desire I once felt to be closer to God was not there anymore. I returned to partying and drinking. I wandered off my path with Jesus and didn’t have a second thought. This lasted about three years.

Then one morning three months ago I woke up after a night of drinking and dancing with my friends, and something snapped in me, I broke down in tears. I truly felt broken and at rock bottom. I knew that I was not the person I WANTED to be. I was not the person God wanted me to be. I made a choice that day that I was going to make a change and return to the path that I started walking with Jesus nearly seven years ago.

I came to Sojourn for the first time the following Sunday and as I sat and listened to God’s word, I cried. I felt, for the first time in a long time, that I was where I was supposed to be. I was home. I opened up my heart and prayed that morning, telling God that I was ready for Him. I was ready for him to use me in whatever way He saw fit. I understood the gravity of the choice Jesus made for us, for ME, when He died on the cross.

I have an appreciation now that wasn’t there before. I have asked for forgiveness and know in my heart that God is good and just. I have been blessed with truly amazing people to support me in my journey and I know that with Jesus as the center of my life, and my friends and family behind me, I will understand what it means to live the Christian life.