From Fear to Freedom: Sandie’s Baptism Story

Sandie Long | Administrative Assistant

Sandie Long’s story is one shaped by tradition, searching, and a growing understanding of what it truly means to belong.

She grew up in Louisiana in a Catholic home, faithfully attending Mass every Sunday with her grandmother. As a young adult, she continued that rhythm. But it wasn’t until she moved to Georgia in her mid-20s that she began to understand salvation and what a personal relationship with Jesus really meant.

In December of 1990, Sandie accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior.

A Search Shaped by Fear

For much of her life, Sandie wrestled with fear:

• fear of not being accepted

• fear of not being heard

• fear of not being enough

  
  

Raised by her grandparents from a young age, she experienced criticism, blame, and abuse during her teenage years, along with the deep fear of losing her mother early in life. Fear took many forms, quietly shaping how she saw herself and the world around her.

Yet even in that, God was drawing her closer.

Finding a Place to Belong

Sandie’s connection to Mt. Olive Commerce began over 16 years ago through a job posting in the local newspaper. After 20 years in the mortgage industry, and her seventh layoff, she stepped into something new. She was hired as the church’s Secretary, and that’s where this chapter began.

What stood out immediately?

• The people.

• The warmth.

• The welcome.

  
  

It was a kind of community she hadn’t experienced before.

Realizing She Needed Jesus

Before following Jesus, Sandie never felt like she truly belonged—always searching for something to make her feel whole. When she learned that through Jesus she could be part of God’s family, something stirred deep within her.

To be fully loved.

In spite of failures.

Without conditions.

That truth changed everything.

The Journey to Baptism

Although Sandie had followed Jesus for many years, baptism was a step she hadn’t yet taken. During a Wednesday night Women’s Life Group, the topic came up, briefly, but persistently. It kept resurfacing in conversations, studies, and sermons.

God was clearly working on her heart.

A conversation with a friend led to studying Scripture together, where Matthew 28:19 answered the questions she’d been carrying. That moment made it clear: baptism was an act of obedience God was inviting her into.

With the help of women in the church, and a study together on baptism, Sandie prepared for that step. Surrounded by encouragement and love from the women of the church, she was baptized at age 57, more than 35 years after accepting Christ.

What held her back all those years?

Fear.

And what helped her step forward?

Community.

What This Step Has Meant

Baptism didn’t replace Sandie’s relationship with God; it deepened it.

• A new season of growth

• A richer understanding of obedience

• A clearer sense of belonging

  
  

“It was a way to show God I love Him,” she shared. “And it gave me a better relationship with Him than I knew was possible.”

For Anyone Still Wondering

Sandie’s message is simple and full of hope:

God loves you

Right where you are.

No matter what you’ve done or haven’t done.

He’s reaching out, offering a relationship rooted in unconditional love, the kind of love Jesus gave His life for.

👉 Thinking about baptism or your next step of faith?

We’d love to walk with you. Visit Next Steps to learn more about baptism, following Jesus, and what growth can look like at Mt. Olive Commerce.

👉 Have a baptism story of your own?

Your story matters. Share how God has worked in your life by submitting your baptism story here.

Every step of obedience matters.

Every story points to hope.

And it’s never too late to take the next step.