BY ANTHONY MINOTT, STAR Writer
Shamarla Smith (right) lifts her hand and recites her vows before she was baptised. The vows were read out by Bishop Elijah Thomas, head pastor at the host church. - ANTHONY MINOTT
SHAMARLA SMITH GAVE her self to the Lord because she wants to be "the Lord's best servant."
Recently, the 15-year-old from Waterford in Portmore, St. Catherine, did what she viewed in a dream - by baptising at the Jamaica Evangelistic Centre (JEC), Newland branch in the Sunshine City.
In a brief ceremony, presided over by host pastor Bishop Elijah Thomas, Shamarla through her testimony and solemn vow, tasted holy water as her whole body was submerged as Deacon Ransford Hamilton and Exalter Desmond Thompson dipped the young lady in the baptism pool.
FAMILY AFFAIR
It was more of a family affair and a celebration of a new life for the Portmore teen as family and friends of Shamarla was hugging her and congratulating her for giving God a chance in her life.
Shamarla says that she made the decision to serve the Lord because she did not have any other choice as her conversion was a compelling one.
"I had a dream one night that it was 'judgement day' and the Lord asked a multitude of people, which I was a part who will die for him. I answered "yes!", and the Lord questioned me: "Are you sure?", and I replied: "Yes!"she recalled. From then on Shamarla's mission was to join the body of Christ.
Shamarla was grateful for the support she received. "Thanks for my family and friends who supported me. Special thanks to my dad and mom. I would love to also thank my scout leader Sandra Phillibert, and my friends Vanessa,Hashmal, Nehmar and Sherita. I love you all," the Waterford High student expressed.
Peter Blake, Shamarla's stepfather was proud of her. "I'm proud of Shamarla for giving her life to the Lord. I think she made the right choice," he told THE STAR Life&Times.
Shamarla vows to be an active Christian as she will be on the mission field encouraging young people to seek the Lord before it is too late.
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