Baptism - October 2006

Amanda Mills's story ....

I was christened as a baby and always encouraged by my parents to go to Sunday School. I joined the Girls’ Brigade at Castle Hill United Reformed Church when I was 6. When my brother Matthew was old enough to join the Boys’ Brigade I transferred to Burlington so that we could both attend the Brigades at the same church. I soon felt at home as my best friend Michelle was also at GB and in my class at school. I came to the Wayfarers Youth Club and I soon found that all of my out of school activities were based at Burlington. I worked through all the sections of Girls’ Brigade and I went on to become a warrant officer. I really enjoyed being able to give something of what I had learned over the years back to the younger girls. I knew that I believed in God and that Jesus had died for me, but I suppose that I didn’t really understand what putting my trust in God actually meant.

Burlington has been part of my life since I first came here in 1984. My husband Clive and I were married here, our sons Thomas and Joshua were both dedicated here and we held my dad’s thanksgiving service here too.

One Sunday morning service in December 2004 really stands out as a turning point in my life. It was approaching the first Christmas after losing my dad and I had brought Thomas and Joshua to Sunday School. I can see now that I was looking for a real meaning to Christmas that year instead of just going through the motions of what we had usually done. Simon played a video of Jesus’ life story which had the backing music of a song called “This is my moment”. He preached that all of Jesus’ life had been foretold by Isaiah and that it didn’t just happen, but it was planned by God and that he has already made pans for our lives too.

For the first time I felt that I really understood what God wanted me to do, that this was “my moment” and that I should acknowledge my belief that I knew God was there for me. However, I still couldn’t pluck up the courage to tell anyone or do anything more about it until the “40 Days of Purpose” came along.

I joined the Lydia housegroup and I found the “40 Days of Purpose” a real help in understanding God more fully. I also realised that I needed to let people know that I am a Christian and that I should make a public commitment to God.

Those of you who know me well, will know that by nature I am a quiet person and that I don’t rush into making decisions until I am sure – well after 23 years of coming to Burlington, I don’t think anyone would say that I have been hasty! Even though as I grew up I didn’t know God’s purpose for me, I now realise that God has been at work in my life all this time drawing me closer to him. I thank God that he has led me to this point of baptism and church membership, and I am sure that I am ready to make this commitment today.