Our Stories

The stories on this page are our stories of faith in Jesus Christ.
Stories of who God is and how He works in our lives.
Stories of how we came to the saving knowledge of
a relationship with Christ.

My Conversion: The short story of a Saved Sinner
Joseph Caldwell

I was raised in a Christian home; my family gathered every night to read the Bible, ask and answer questions, and pray together before going off to our beds. One night I followed my older brother into my parent’s room and we both prayed to accept Christ as our Savior. I remember my dad, hearing me say, “I hope you will forgive” in my prayer, told me that we don’t have to hope, we know that God will forgive and accept us.

That said, to be honest, I am not sure when I became a Christian. Growing up, I struggled with doubt about the decision. I was not certain whether I prayed that prayer because I understood my need for a Savior or if I prayed it because my brother did. I remember being at a youth camp in Junior High, where the pastor spoke about “nail-it-down” points, when people who are unsure about their faith can evaluate themselves to try to determine whether they really are followers of Christ. I came away from that camp not knowing when I became a Christian, but confident that Jesus was the Lord of my life.

Now, even as I struggle to share my faith and continue to fight sin, I call Jesus my Savior and Lord, knowing that God has justified me and striving to live in allegiance to Him, under His Lordship.

Why do you believe God is leading you to join the mission of Lakeland Baptist Church?

I believe that Lakeland is striving to minister as a church the way God desires for the church to minister. God has called Stephanie and me to be part of such a church. We believe that He will use us as a part of this church to further His ministry and that He will use this body of believers to further our walks with Him.

Stephanie Caldwell

I was raised in what I can only describe now as darkness. I had a mother who loved me, no doubt, but who had fallen victim to the ways of this merciless world. She was taken from the world when I was 16 and I was left bitter and confused. Being the avoidant type that I am, I opted to run from all that resembled her and her life. I went to Tennessee to live with a relative and it was there that my eyes were slowly opened to the glory of God. I met a family who had a very attractive hope. In the midst of my bitterness and contempt for all things, they welcomed me in and loved me with a pure heart…no expectations and no demands. Over time, I realized it was Jesus in their life that enabled them to do this. I started attending church with them and when I felt I could, I made the commitment to accept Christ as my Lord. God snatched me from the darkness, restored my hope and gave me a family.

What evidence has there been in your life since your conversion that indicates a genuine conversion?

God revealed to me the power of prayer and gave me opportunity to be a tool to show it. In 2008, I went to an orphanage in the Philippines. I worked specifically with a baby named Jabez. He wasn’t supposed to be there long. His drug addict Mom was to come and get him. The social worker told me the case. I prayed that God would change his Mom’s heart and He answered my prayer. Jabez was now adoptable. I then prayed for his future family and that he would be placed with a Christian family who would raise him in the Lord. I left that summer believing God would answer my prayers and leaving it to faith. I didn’t expect to have it confirmed or revealed in this life. God chose to reveal it, as the family to adopt Jabez contacted me two weeks before going to get him. They shared with me about their family. They were God-fearing and God-serving. They brought Jabez home the beginning of September of 2009.

Why do you believe God is leading you to join the mission of Lakeland?

I believe that God has prepared mine and Joseph’s heart for service to Him and that He has lead us here to Carbondale. I also believe that God remained faithful and lead us to a church that focuses on the exact desires He has placed in our hearts.

Katie Lord

Although I grew up in a Christian home, I didn't come to know the Lord until I was almost seventeen. I met a lady whom I could relate to with similar struggles, but realized we were solving our problems two different ways. I was going to self and she was looking to Christ. She guided me in the first step of my faith and I got baptized.

What evidence do you see that indicates a genuine conversion?
After trusting the Lord, I wasn't sure what to tod next, so one year later I attended a 12-month discipleship program called Miracle Mountain Ranch Missions in Spring Creek, Pennsylvania. While I was there, I learned how to be grounded in God's Word with my whole life and began to disciple others. When the year came to an end I went home and started college as well as teaching Sunday School at First Baptist Church of Maryville.

Why do you believe God is leading you to join the mission of Lakeland?
When James and I were approaching marriage, we knew we would live in Carbondale. He felt connected down here from SIU and was drawn to the body at Lakeland. I wasn't familiar with Carbondale at all, but trusted God for my husband to lead me. Currently, I support James while he teaches Sunday School, while I'm coming up with opportunities to reach out to the young women.

Trevor Anderson

I received Christ as my Savior at age 21. I attended church, read frequently but couldn't give up control of my life to our Lord. More recently, I came to Lakeland seeking help from the disaster relief crews that were here in May of 2009. Since I have given up control of my life, Christ decides where I go and what I do. I am in constant contact with Him through prayer.

What evidence has there been in your life since your conversion that indicates a genuine conversion?
I have seen my joy multiply over and over again. I went from a person that does things out of pride and greed, and I am moving to being a person who does things to glorify Jesus and to let others feel His love through my actions.

Why do you believe God is leading you to join the mission of Lakeland?
God brought me here after a storm and has been constantly encouraging me to do more for the body of Christ. I want to find out what part of the body I am and integrate myself here.

Gary Diesselhorst

I received Christ as my Lord and Savior when I met Jason, Brian and Chase. They invited me to attend Lakeland with them. I have prayed and asked Jesus to forgive me for all my sins and some tough obstacles that I have had in my life that I am still struggling with. I have also prayed about whether I should come to Lakeland. From now on, I want to attend church every Sunday.

Why do you believe God is leading you to join the mission of Lakeland?
I feel that it is important to teach the entire world about Christ's love and teach them that there is a true God that does exist and cares about them.