BY GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

Reverend Barrington DaCosta (left) prepares to baptise Judy-Ann Bennett (centre) while a Bethel Bible College student looks on. - George Henry

spaldings, clarendon

Judy-Ann Bennett will never forget December 3, 2006, at 1:45 p.m. It was the day and time she received her watery baptism at the Sanguinetti New Testament Church of God in Clarendon.

In her testimony before she was baptised, Judy-Ann, who is an employee at the Super Plus Food Store in Spaldings, said she meant to serve God. She said she would be grateful if all could continue to pray for her so that she might serve the Lord in spirit and in truth.

Before she was dipped in the water, the well-known chorus Mercy Rewrote My Life was sung by the congregation led by Reverend DaCosta. The Word of God was preached by bethel Bible College student Sister Paulette White.

She called on all to lean on Jesus, whom she referred to as the 'Rock'. White also called on all to go into the world and preach the Gospel, teaching men to observe all things.

Rev. DaCosta, in his opening words, told the congregation that despite some of the things taking place in the world, where some persons are denouncing God and paying salvation scant regard, there are still persons who know what is right from what is wrong. He said these persons were following the teachings of the Bible.

Following Rev. DaCosta's words of encouragement, Judy-Ann was asked to repeat the following: "Thy vow oh Lord is upon me, thy vow I will not break. Thy vow is upon me oh Lord until death."

She was then dipped beneath the water in the pool, completing the baptismal process. She was the last candidate to be baptised at the Sanguinetti New Testament Church in 2006.