FBCScottsdale welcomed two people into our church family when Janet Croley and her son Larry were both baptized. Read their testimonies below.
JANET’S TESTIMONY
Acts 2:38: Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Hello, my name is Janet Croley. I was born and raised in Phoenix AZ. I was born during WW2. We were in hard times, but friends and family assisted my mom with my food stamps so that she could provide me my goat milk and shoes. I first heard about Jesus when I was a young child from my family. But we never went to church. I got to know Jesus later as a young adult while going to church with some friends. Late in 1999, my son and I started coming to FBC but my husband had Parkinson so was only able to come to church when my husband was able to stay home by himself. It was not until my husband passed away In January 2021 that I started attending FBC on a regular basis and joined grow groups and the women’s ministry. Jesus has given me many blessings including my husband, my son and 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren. He also gave me the opportunity to volunteer with the police department and search and rescue. I was also able to help people displaced from hurricane Katrina when families were brought to Phoenix for temporary shelter.
The reason I want to baptized now is because when I was younger I was not sure that I wanted to be baptized. Now that I have been coming to FBCScottsdale and have gotten to know Jesus, I am now ready to be baptized.
LARRY’S TESTIMONY
Romans 10:13: Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Hello, my name is Larry Croley. I live in Phoenix Arizona where I was born and raised. I have my mom Janet, and two sisters, Tanya and Stacey, who are both younger than me. I have had Jesus with me all of my life, blessing me in many ways. My job has given me the opportunity to travel around the world, to places like the Netherlands, Germany, Taiwan, China, and South Korea. I have also visited places in the United States such as New York, Texas, and Oregon. A blessing from Jesus that I never expected. I know that Jesus has been watching over me all this time. He has guided me when I was lost. I remember many times during my travels, I have gone out on day trips, but I did not know how to find my way back to my hotel. Sometimes wandering around for for an hour or so. After saying a quick prayer the Lord has provided someone to give me directions, or has shown me a landmark that I had missed. Because Jesus has given me many blessings in my life, I would like to take the opportunity to give my life over to him. I know that through my journeys and would like to be able to share God’s love and grace with others.
Although I know Jesus has been watching over me, I know that he would like me to be baptized to let him into my heart. I went to Sunday school and church while growing-up. So I knew what baptism is. My best answer to why I did not get baptized earlier would be that I have been finding excuses to try to run my own life, instead of listening to God. I have always told myself that I would get baptized someday when things calm down, and I am not so busy. My mom Janet and I started going to coming to FBC Scottsdale after my father passed away, and Jesus has been using her to encourage me to get baptized. I have discovered that by letting the Lord God lead me, I am able to find the time to do his will.
