Posted: December 24th, 2025
Stories of the Saviour: New Life at Hamilton Mountain Adventist Church
On Sabbath morning, December 20, 2025, the Hamilton Adventist Church witnessed a sacred and joy-filled moment as five individuals publicly committed their lives to Jesus Christ through baptism and profession of faith. This powerful celebration marked the culmination of Empires Ended, a multi-weekend Pentecost 2025 series that invited our community to reflect deeply on God’s kingdom, in contrast to the human powers at work in our world today, and on Christ’s saving work.
These decisions for Christ were made during the Church's Christmas programme, Stories of the Saviour—a Sabbath intentionally centred not merely on the nativity as a historical event, but on the living Christ who still calls hearts today, and is coming back soon. In a world shaped by competing empires—political, cultural, personal, and spiritual—this Sabbath bore witness to the truth that the kingdom of God and His love continue to advance quietly, persistently, and powerfully through transformed lives.
One of the testimonies from a baptismal candidate stands out. Henok arrived at our church during the second weekend of the series, only to shy away and not enter the building. He had first heard about the series when his friend’s electric motorcycle ran out of charge before he could ride it down the jolly cut (the road down the mountain, just beside the church). The pastor and his family were running late for Sabbath School that morning, but that allowed them to meet Henok's friend. The friend asked whether anyone would be upset if he used the outside power outlet for a 5-minute boost. Not realising he was speaking to the pastor, Anthony replied, "Yes, of course! And if anyone gives you a hard time, tell them to come talk to me."
They then began discussing the upcoming series, and it was then that the same man told Henok about his experience on that Sabbath day and invited him to attend. By the final weekend of the meetings, Henok—with God’s help—found the courage to enter the sanctuary, attended the remaining presentations, and ultimately decided to be baptised at the close of the series.
The timing of these decisions could not have been more fitting. As the church reflected on the humility of Christ’s birth, it was reminded that the same Saviour who entered the world in weakness continues to enter human hearts with marvellous grace. The waters of baptism that Sabbath morning echoed the deeper Christmas truth: God is still with us, still redeeming, still restoring, and still calling people into His story.
The Hamilton Mountain Adventist Church rejoices with heaven over these decisions, giving thanks to God for the work of the Holy Spirit, for the courage of those who stepped forward, and for a congregation committed to proclaiming the everlasting gospel in meaningful, thoughtful, and Christ-centred ways.
As we celebrate this season, we do so with renewed hope—because the greatest story of the Saviour is not only one that happened long ago in Bethlehem but also one that is still being written today in lives surrendered to Jesus.
“There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)