This year, we’ve been sharing many stories of people taking the faith step of being baptised. All across New Zealand, we continue to hear these stories—and they’re always deeply encouraging as we see the work of God in transforming people's lives.
For several years now, Danny Scott from Putaruru Gospel Chapel (PGC) has been leading a men’s group through his work at Transform Aotearoa. The group meets daily, heading to the gym or helping out in the community wherever there’s a need. Attendance varies, but this year the group has grown noticeably.
Pastor Kent Crawford had been praying about how the PGC church family could reach further into their local community. As he reflected on the book of Acts, he noticed that Paul often went to places where people gathered for spiritual conversation or prayer—typically a synagogue, but in Acts 16:13, it was a riverside. Kent asked himself, “Where was this happening in Putaruru?”
Kent writes:
“It was happening right under our noses with Danny’s life group. So, after talking to Danny, a Bible study started, and two of the guys wanted to get baptised.”
At the beginning of this month, Danny had the joy of baptising those two men in the beautiful Blue Springs/Waihou River. It was a frosty morning, and the river—11 degrees all year round—provided a memorable setting.
Kent continues:
“These two guys' testimonies were inspiring as they shared how for many years they had lived out of their false sense of self. Looking for love, acceptance and meaning in all the wrong places. Finally, at rock bottom, they were at a place where they were open to listening to the Lord and embracing the life that Jesus was calling them into.”
One of the men shared that, growing up without a father figure, he had long searched for love and never truly found it. That changed when he became a Christian. Encountering God’s love was a profound and defining moment—for the first time in his life, he felt what real love truly was.
Kent says God is actively transforming both men and encourages us to pray that as they continue walking with Jesus, they’ll grow in passion for Christ and for his Word.
