Emotional Day!

I'm at loss for words! Today was an awesome day and an emotional one!! For those of you who weren't able to be with us this morning in worship, you missed one of the most emotional baptism ever!

Dr. Allen Sussman buried his old life in the Lord in baptism this morning! He's had a long and hard journey! That's why I am at loss for words tonight! I'm just elated! I'm overflowed with a simply big J-O-Y!! I believe it is better to be silent and know that the Lord is God! I must tell you that God is really awesome and can ever fathom all of His ways!

Sussman was raised in a strong Jewish family. And, over the years, he changed and became an athiest. He strongly felt that there was no God. Then along came his soulmate, best friend and wife, Barbara whom have shown the light of Christ in Allen's heart! If it wasn't for Barbara, he wouldn't be with Jesus! Allen's friends came all the way from Delaware to witness his baptism. They told me a few stories about Allen and how he was so strong in his beliefs that there's no God and that he will never change. He was determined! Until, Barbara, whom softened his heart to see the love of our Lord. After Barbara lost her battle against cancer, she has told Allen to move on with the Lord, without her. At this point, I am just at loss for words. After Barbara's departure from this world, Allen's few faithful friends came to him, motivated him, and led him to Fairfax.

I have grown to love Allen so much. He's a man of many characters. He has vast experiences that I have learned so much from him. Truly, God had a plan!! It was all God's doing, through bad times as well as good. And I thank God for many of us who have help Allen see God in a clear way: Nancy Rarus, Kenny Hynes, Chuck and Norma Buemi, Bill and Glenda Ennis and those at Fairfax who have Show Jesus to Allen! May God bless him as he continue on his journey with God!!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 (niv)

Here are some pictures of Allen's baptism:












Prior to Allen's baptism, Delaware's own, Bill Ennis, beautifully sang, "The Eye On The Sparrow". It touched Allen's heart in a ways we cannot fathom! Thanks, Bill!!




























This was the time when Allen was emotionally overjoyed having arrived to the time of his life-giving sacrifice to God. I sense the Holy Spirit's presence during this time! There were no dry eyes among the witnesses!













Asking God for His hand on Allen as he begins eternity with God!














Immersed in the name of the Father, His Son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:36-38; Acts 22:16)!!



























Allen all smiles as he is now a NEW CREATION in Christ Jesus!













The family at Fairfax gathers around Allen welcoming him to His body, the church!!

Here's my favorite verse that every faithful Christian ought to take heart (Ephesians 3:14:21):

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

God bless you, Allen! <><