JOIN THE VALLEJO DRIVE FAMILY

 In the fascinating story of Acts 8, Philip, an active and passionate preacher of the gospel, is prompted by an angel to go to a deserted place where he meets a high governmental official from the country of Ethiopia in Africa, traveling home from Jerusalem.  However, this man is not just on his journey home, but also, and more importantly, he is on a spiritual journey in search of God. That’s why God sent Philip to meet him and to tell him “the good news about Jesus.” (Acts 8:35).

Philip joins the man’s caravan and began sharing the story of Jesus.  As they traveled along the deserted road, they saw some water and the African man asked Philip an important question: “Look, here is water.  Why shouldn’t I be baptized?”

“Indeed, why shouldn’t you!” Philip agrees, and down in the water they both go.  And Philip performs this incredibly solemn and liberating and transformational and empowering act of baptism in Jesus Christ. The Ethiopian official, upon hearing the simple message of the gospel, had discovered Jesus Christ as his Savior and Friend, and now was ready to enter into a covenantal relationship with him through the act of baptism.

Significantly, the story concludes with the Ethiopian man continuing on his journey “rejoicing” (Acts 8:39). Once again, this was not simply the continuation of his trip home, but the resumption of his spiritual journey, a journey towards God, toward an increasing awareness of His presence in the most common things of life, toward a miraculous transformation into a new life in Christ, never experienced before. And this journey was filled with JOY.  

Are you on a journey?  Are you looking for God in your life?  Could you use some more joy in your daily life? If so, perhaps the same question occurs to you: “Why shouldn’t I be baptized?  

Our answer?  “Indeed, why shouldn’t you!”

How to Plan for Your Baptism
1. Contact Pastor Aivars Ozolins, or any other Vallejo Drive pastor.  They will be more than happy to spend some individual quality time with you to share the good news about Jesus
2. Together with the pastor, you will set a date for your baptism during a Saturday worship gathering to confirm your relationship with your Savior, Jesus Christ
3. As a baptized follower of Jesus, you will be welcomed as a member of the Vallejo Drive church family and invited to join in the ministry and mission of this congregation

If you are an active, baptized follower of Jesus and want to make Vallejo Drive your new church home, we would love to have you be a part of the family!  You can join one of two ways:
1. If your membership is with another Seventh-day Adventist congregation, you can contact the church office to transfer your membership to Vallejo Drive
2. If you’ve been baptized and never joined a church, or if your  church membership is with an independent church or a congregation of another denomination, you can meet with one of the pastors to get acquainted with the values and teachings of Vallejo Drive and, as a member, agree to respect them while continuing to grow in your understanding of God