Michele Smith got baptized in 2018 at Green Bay Community Church and believes it was life-changing.
"After I got baptized, I shared (my faith) with several co-workers,” Michele said. “Before I got baptized I would never share.”
Michele’s willingness to talk about her journey with God has sparked an interest among some of her colleagues. They ask her about Community Church as well as the Alpha group she later joined.
God has taken Michele on a journey in which she has found inner peace. "I feel more whole,” Michele said. "I don’t feel so empty inside. I don’t feel so alone. I don’t feel so lost.”
For Michele, a breakthrough in her faith journey came during the Alpha course, which encourages group members to openly talk about God and ask questions about faith with no judgment.
“I never felt like I was worthy, or that I deserved this,” said Michele. But Alpha opened her eyes to the reality she could have a personal relationship with Jesus. That led to her getting baptized.
"Baptism was powerful,” Michele said. “I was at peace. I was very calm during the whole thing. I felt like God was present.”
A good friend of Michele’s was baptized on the same day, someone who had attended the Alpha group with her. Their Alpha small group was led by Sheri App, a pastor at GBCC, who wound up baptizing Michelle.
"I felt like all my people were right there,” Michele said.
Michele said she grew up confused about her faith because her parents separated and she wound up attending different churches. It got to the point where she only attended church for weddings and funerals.
Her experience with Alpha, which includes thought-provoking videos and discussions about faith, was a catalyst for Michele.
“It made me let go of some stuff,” Michele said. “I felt closer to God and the people there. It was amazing.”
Michele, who grew up in Green Bay, has seen her faith grow.
“I feel like I’m doing more things for God,” said Michele, who started attending GBCC regularly. “Everyone here is so nice and so kind and welcoming. I feel like I belong. I don’t feel like an outsider.”
Michele also started going to a women’s Bible study and has a desire to find areas to get involved and serve.
Michele said that her growing faith has taught her not to hang on to what she calls “junk” in her life.
“Just let go, it’s not worth it,” she said. “I feel I’ve wasted too much time.”
