You Were Made to Know God.

Whatever brought you here—questions, pain, curiosity, hope, or simply the sense that there must be more—God is not distant from you. The heart of the Christian faith is not simply becoming religious or trying harder to become a better person. It is Jesus Christ. Jesus came so that we could be forgiven, reconciled to God, and receive new life through Him.

I'm Ready to Follow Jesus

The Good News

The word gospel simply means good news. And the good news begins with what God has done for us through Jesus Christ.

1. God Created You for Himself

You were created by God and for God. He knows you, loves you, and desires for you to know Him. He desires that you live in relationship with Him.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...”
John 3:16, NKJV

2. Sin Separates Us from God

Every one of us has sinned. We have lived according to our own desires and fallen short of God's holy standard. Sin is more than making mistakes. It is our rebellion against God, and it separates us from the life He created us to have. We cannot repair that separation by being good enough, religious enough, or moral enough. We need a Savior.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:23, NKJV

3. Jesus Came to Save Us

God did not leave us separated from Him. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into the world, lived without sin, died on the cross for our sins, and rose from the dead. On the cross, Jesus took the judgment our sin deserved. Through His resurrection, He conquered sin and death. Forgiveness and eternal life are God's gift to us through Christ.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23, NKJV

4. Jesus Invites You to Respond

Knowing about Jesus is not the same as following Jesus. God calls us to repent and believe. To repent means to turn from sin and turn toward God. To believe means to place your trust in Jesus Christ—who He is, what He accomplished for you, and His authority over your life. Following Jesus means trusting Him not only as Savior, but surrendering to Him as Lord.

“Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Mark 1:15, NKJV

You Can Follow Jesus Today

You do not have to get your life together before you come to Jesus. You come to Him because you cannot save yourself. Jesus receives those who come to Him in faith.

The Bible says:

“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Romans 10:9, NKJV

If you are ready to turn from sin, place your faith in Jesus Christ, and surrender your life to Him, you can respond to Him right now.

A Prayer of Response

Prayer does not save us—Jesus saves us. We are saved by God's grace through faith in Christ.

But prayer is one way you can express your repentance, faith, and surrender to God.

You may pray something like this:

Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I confess that I have sinned and that I need Your forgiveness. I turn from my old life and place my faith in You. Forgive me, make me new, and teach me to follow You. I surrender my life to You as my Lord and Savior. From this day forward, I belong to You. Amen.

Your First Steps with Jesus

1. Talk With God

Prayer is simply talking with God honestly and regularly. Thank Him. Ask Him questions. Tell Him what you are facing. Confess your sins. Ask for wisdom. Learn to listen as you spend time with Him and His Word. You do not need impressive words. Come to God sincerely.

2. Begin Reading the Bible

The Bible helps you know who God is, understand His ways, and learn how to follow Jesus.

If you are new to Scripture, begin with the Gospel of John. Read a little each day and ask: What does this teach me about Jesus? What does God want me to believe or obey?

3. Be Baptized

Jesus calls those who believe in Him to be baptized. Baptism is a public declaration that you have placed your faith in Christ and now identify with His death, burial, and resurrection. If you have decided to follow Jesus and have never been baptized as a believer, baptism is an important next step.

4. Grow With Other Believers

You were never meant to follow Jesus alone. God gives us the local church so that we can worship together, learn Scripture, pray for one another, receive encouragement, and grow as disciples of Jesus.

Find a healthy, Bible-believing church where Christ is honored and Scripture is faithfully taught. We would be honored to help you grow here at Glory House.

5. Tell Someone About Your Decision

Do not keep this moment to yourself.Tell another Christian that you have decided to follow Jesus. Allow mature believers to encourage you, pray with you, answer your questions, and walk alongside you.

And please tell us. We would love to celebrate your decision and help you take your next steps.

About Baptism

What is baptism?

Baptism serves as a radiant outward expression of one's personal faith in Jesus Christ as both Lord and Savior. It stands as a public proclamation of a heartfelt commitment to walk the path of devotion for Jesus.

What are the requirements for baptism?

The sole key to baptism lies in unwavering faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. Baptism itself does not grant salvation; rather, it is through faith in Jesus that one finds true redemption.

Why should I be baptized?

Jesus provided a powerful example when He was baptized by immersion in the Jordan River. This act signifies our inclusion in the family of God and declares that our identity is in Christ.

Who can be baptized?

Anyone of any age who is able to make an independent decision to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior can be baptized.

Baptism FAQ

When and where can I be baptized?

We have baptism quarterly at the Brace Family YMCA in Matthews. Please check our calendar for the next scheduled baptism.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear dark clothes and bring a towel, shower shoes, and dry clothes. Locker rooms are available, but bring your own lock and keep valuable items with you or give them to a family member or friend. Glory House is not responsible for theft.

What happens after I am baptized?

After baptism, it's essential that you engage with a Bible-centered church, personally study the Word of God, and pray daily. If you need a church home, we invite you to learn more about Glory House.

Do I have to be a member of Glory House to participate in baptism?

You don't need to be a church member to participate; however, you should be a member of the family of God. As long as you have received Jesus as Lord and Savior, you are eligible for baptism.