Natalia first moved to Israel from Russia along with her husband two years ago. We had a chance to get to know her through her daughter-in-law Liza, who got saved here at Beit Hallel several months ago.
During our recent evangelism outreach event and biblical tour, Natalia and her husband became really interested in learning more about Yeshua, so they signed up for our Discipleship Course for “seekers”.
At the end of each Discipleship Course, we organize a baptism trip to the Jordan River, to give people the opportunity to receive Yeshua as their Lord, as well as seal their covenant with Him through baptism.
Natalia and her husband both decided to receive the Lord and to be baptized, even though she was still doubtful.
On the eve of her baptism, Natalia came under heavy spiritual attack and told her husband that she changed her mind and she wouldn’t go through with the baptism.
When she shared her doubts with us we took the opportunity to pray with her and give God the opportunity to clear all her doubts. We encouraged her, but made it clear that she was absolutely free to make the decision she wanted.
After we prayed, Natalia told us that she decided that she would not get baptized, but that she would still like to go with her husband to support him as he gets baptized. Her decision was made, and she did not intend to back down from it, so she didn’t even take a change of clothing with her.
At the baptism site, we all prayed together as a group and the presence of God was so undeniably powerful and tangible at that moment.
Suddenly Natalia stood up and said: “I need to get baptized!”
As she approached the steps that led down into the water, she literally started running, despite the fact that she had severe knee injuries that caused her great pain when walking or running. She couldn’t even explain it, only that she felt that the Lord was carrying her!
During her baptism, she experienced something truly special. As she was being immersed, there was lightness and freedom, Natalia said. She saw the water was filled with sparkling light, as if it had become liquid gold, and she felt warm and powerful hands embracing and holding her, — hands she felt could be trusted, that would never let her go.
Natalia’s whole life shifted after her baptism. It was a truly life-changing moment that birthed a new person inside. She was forever transformed.
Currently an active participant in our Bible Studies, Natalia also attends our worship services regularly and is a truly born again soul on a new path with her Lord Jesus.
She couldn’t possibly let go of Yeshua’s loving hands now that He had embraced her through her baptism and had brought her into the Kingdom of the Son of His love. Amen!
Beit Hallel is a Messianic Jewish congregation in Ashdod, led by pastor Israel Pochtar, serving holocaust survivors and the poor and needy locally and throughout the nation of Israel, while building up the body of Messiah in the promised land of Israel.