Geri Kipp

When I was 2 days old, I was baptized into the Catholic faith at a Kansas hospital. An Air Force brat, I moved around a lot, but my mother brought my sisters and me to Mass regularly throughout my childhood and adolescence. I received First Communion at age seven and was confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church just after graduating high school. I knew about Jesus, but I didn’t really know him yet.

Like many young people, my attendance to and involvement in church waned. Who am I kidding? I “took a break from God” during college. While I did well academically and held a job waiting tables all four years, I was out of control. No need to elaborate, but sin and darkness filled my life. I battled depression and looked in all the wrong places for a light only the Lord can shine.

After graduation from Kansas State University in 2003, I had no idea what to do next and was still working at a restaurant. Enter tall, handsome, Army officer, who was a Christian and is now my husband. He was a bright spot in my otherwise hopeless existence. He accepted me but also challenged me to do better. He took me to church, which was a step in the right direction. And that story goes on...

I accepted Christ in a powerful way on December 28, 2004. The simple Gospel message that God created me, and He loves me, and He desires an eternal relationship with me is what changed my heart. I’d heard it before, but this time I was listening. My sin separates me from God, and the wages of sin is death. Like a spotlight, I could see so clearly how sin had darkened my world. The only way to God was through faith in Jesus. Belief that Jesus took on my sin, paid the price through his death on the cross, and redeemed me through the Resurrection. Through him I am forgiven and can have a relationship with my Creator. Forever. 

My Believer’s Baptism was May 11, 2008 at different Baptist church in Louisville. It was important for me to be baptized in a way that witnessed to my knowledge of Jesus. I don’t know where my life would be if I hadn’t been converted, but I’m so glad to be living out my faith here at Broadway. A place where I can worship the Lord with people I love, people who know my family and care about my life.