Baptism November 14, 2021
David Cotherman
Hi everyone. My name is David Cotherman. Born in Baltimore, MD, and raised in Bedford, PA. I have been a drug addict and alcoholic for most of my life. Battling with depression and anxiety, it hasn’t been an easy ride for me. But without the grace of God, I doubt I would have made it this far. So with all of you as my witnesses, I repent for all my sins I have done. I ask you, O Lord, to have mercy on me. Show me the way back into the light and to righteousness. Allow me to forgive all who have wronged me, and also allow me to forgive myself for wronging others. As it says in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This means to me that God loves us so much that he wanted us to all be forgiven of our sins, so he gave up his own son to provide us a definite way to become born again through his son, Jesus Christ. I truly believe that.
God has been working miracles in my life, from ridding me of the addition of drugs and alcohol, to giving me courage and strength to do things I would never have thought possible, such as standing in front of a crowd of people and telling part of my story. I am able to do that today because I know that even when I’m by myself, I am never alone. I have God with me to get me through anything in life, but also to be there as a friend for me to talk to and will always be there to listen. I also want to thank you, Lord, for bringing me to this point in my life because if you hadn’t, I wouldn’t have met the amazing friends I have today.
Todd Fronina
Hi, my name is Todd Fronina. I was born and raised in Reading Pa. I am 49 years old. I am the youngest of 7 children. Since about the age 16, I suffered from alcoholism and drug addiction on and off my whole life.
During one of my sober times, I had accepted Jesus into my life. During the time when I stayed in contact with Jesus, life was good and peaceful. He provided me with all I needed. I have 2 children, Brett and Anthony. I feel I did a great job doing so. As they got older and more independent, I let work and money become my higher power, working long days into nights which pushed time for Jesus out of my life.
In 2014 I had an injury and the doctor prescribed Percocet and having an addictive personality and not having Jesus in my life because of my own doing, I got addicted to the pills and when the doctor cut me off suddenly, I started to get really sick. So, I turned to the streets to buy Percocet. My habit quickly got worse, and I couldn't afford the pills, so I turned to heroin which was cheaper until my habit got to the point where I started losing everything I worked so hard for. Then I started wondering how God could let me go through this and started thinking why he wasn't there for me.
But the on August 20th of this year, something told me to go to rehab. So, on the way to rehab I decided I wanted one more before I got clean. As I neared the rehab, I did my last drug and luckily, I was at the rehab because I OD'd and staff was able to save me and take me to hospital. Once I started to feel better and my mind was clearing, I realized Christ never left me, I left him, like the story footprints in the sand. And I started thanking Him for being there the whole time. A short time later still getting better, I was transferred to the Gatehouse here in Lititz. I met a gentleman name Don, who was doing a Bible study and he introduced me to LEFC. I realized after a couple weeks I want my relationship with Jesus Christ to be stronger than ever. Cause I now know without him I am nothing and might not be here. And I praise him daily for that. Thank You.