31 Oct 2025, 11:50Mariann Cowin; Edited by SM CommunicationsCrieff, Perth and Kinross, Scotland, United Kingdom
A Season of Joy and New Beginnings in Crieff
Celebrating a year of faith and commitment, Crieff Church welcomed four new members through baptism.
This year has been one of tremendous blessing for the Crieff Seventh-day Adventist Church, as several individuals have publicly declared their faith in Christ through baptism. From long-time attendees to new friends and young believers, the Crieff congregation has witnessed the power of God at work in the lives of His people.
Earlier this year, on May the 10th, the church celebrated the joint baptism of Sharon Owens and Joseph Baraniuc, led by Pastors Paul Tompkins and Njay Ndlovu. The service was filled with joy and thanksgiving as these two individuals were lovingly welcomed into the family of Christ and into fellowship with the Crieff Church.
Joseph and his family, though residing in Glasgow, have been attending Crieff Church for nearly six years. Having followed in the footsteps of his sister, who was baptised in Crieff a few years earlier, Joseph engaged in pre-baptism studies with Pastor Paul Tompkins, who described him as “an absolute pleasure to study with.”
Likewise, Sharon, from Ayr, was introduced to Crieff through Geanina Diaconu, the church’s placement ministerial student. Upon visiting, Sharon was deeply moved by the warmth and friendliness of the congregation and soon decided to be baptised at Crieff. Although distance prevents her from joining in person every Sabbath, she remains an active participant in the weekly online prayer meetings. Her baptismal studies were led by Pastor Njay Ndlovu, and the entire church rejoiced as she publicly committed her life to Christ.
As Sharon and Joseph made their decision around the same time, they chose to share this sacred moment together. It was a truly joyful Sabbath, culminating in meaningful worship, baptism, and a wonderful fellowship meal.
On July 6, another young member of the congregation, Olivia Wiech, was also baptised. Olivia, originally from Poland but growing up in Crieff, chose to be baptised during a family camp in Poland, where the invited guest speaker happened to be Pastor Marcel Ghioalda, formerly pastor of Crieff Church and now Director of Youth and Public Campus Ministries for the Trans-European Division, as well as a long-time family friend. Olivia had engaged in Bible study for two years with Cedrene Botha, the Scottish Mission Women’s Ministries Sponsor, and the family wish to express their heartfelt gratitude for her guidance and mentorship during this time.
Last Saturday, on October 25th, Crieff Church once again gathered in celebration as nineteen-year-old Zuzia Ostrowska was baptised by retired pastor and cherished member of the congregation, Bob Rodd. Zuzia shared her testimony with the church family, describing her journey of faith and the struggles that preceded her decision to be baptised:
“For the longest time, baptism was something daunting for me. I knew I wanted to be baptised; I always knew that I wanted Jesus in my life… because I couldn’t imagine what my life would look like without faith…but I was afraid…”
What had kept her from taking the step was the fear of getting baptised and then drifting away from faith. She thought that by delaying baptism, she might postpone that possibility. Yet, seeing her fellow youth take the step, she realised she had nothing to gain by holding back. Even if she were to stumble, she trusts she would find her way back.
“I may be young, but I have had enough experiences growing up to know that this is the decision for me: the decision to be part of the greater, eternal family of Jesus Christ.”
Reflecting on the baptisms of Crieff’s young people, Mariann Cowin, Crieff Communications Officer, shared:
“Against the odds in today’s society, our youth are boldly stepping forward in their faith through baptism. As a teenager, it is not unusual to crave acceptance and validation from your peers, so to see our youth following the example of Christ and choosing Him publicly makes us as a congregation very proud of the next generation of Crieff.”
Each baptism is a reminder of God’s transforming love and the joy of welcoming new members into His eternal family. Alongside Crieff, the Scottish Mission church family celebrates Sharon, Joseph, Olivia, and Zuzia, and prays that their journeys of faith continue to grow, inspiring others in the community and beyond.
Celebrating a year of faith and commitment, Crieff Church welcomed four new members through baptism.
This year has been one of tremendous blessing for the Crieff Seventh-day Adventist Church, as several individuals have publicly declared their faith in Christ through baptism. From long-time attendees to new friends and young believers, the Crieff congregation has witnessed the power of God at work in the lives of His people.
Earlier this year, on May the 10th, the church celebrated the joint baptism of Sharon Owens and Joseph Baraniuc, led by Pastors Paul Tompkins and Njay Ndlovu. The service was filled with joy and thanksgiving as these two individuals were lovingly welcomed into the family of Christ and into fellowship with the Crieff Church.
Joseph and his family, though residing in Glasgow, have been attending Crieff Church for nearly six years. Having followed in the footsteps of his sister, who was baptised in Crieff a few years earlier, Joseph engaged in pre-baptism studies with Pastor Paul Tompkins, who described him as “an absolute pleasure to study with.”
Likewise, Sharon, from Ayr, was introduced to Crieff through Geanina Diaconu, the church’s placement ministerial student. Upon visiting, Sharon was deeply moved by the warmth and friendliness of the congregation and soon decided to be baptised at Crieff. Although distance prevents her from joining in person every Sabbath, she remains an active participant in the weekly online prayer meetings. Her baptismal studies were led by Pastor Njay Ndlovu, and the entire church rejoiced as she publicly committed her life to Christ.
As Sharon and Joseph made their decision around the same time, they chose to share this sacred moment together. It was a truly joyful Sabbath, culminating in meaningful worship, baptism, and a wonderful fellowship meal.
On July 6, another young member of the congregation, Olivia Wiech, was also baptised. Olivia, originally from Poland but growing up in Crieff, chose to be baptised during a family camp in Poland, where the invited guest speaker happened to be Pastor Marcel Ghioalda, formerly pastor of Crieff Church and now Director of Youth and Public Campus Ministries for the Trans-European Division, as well as a long-time family friend. Olivia had engaged in Bible study for two years with Cedrene Botha, the Scottish Mission Women’s Ministries Sponsor, and the family wish to express their heartfelt gratitude for her guidance and mentorship during this time.
Last Saturday, on October 25th, Crieff Church once again gathered in celebration as nineteen-year-old Zuzia Ostrowska was baptised by retired pastor and cherished member of the congregation, Bob Rodd. Zuzia shared her testimony with the church family, describing her journey of faith and the struggles that preceded her decision to be baptised:
“For the longest time, baptism was something daunting for me. I knew I wanted to be baptised; I always knew that I wanted Jesus in my life… because I couldn’t imagine what my life would look like without faith…but I was afraid…”
What had kept her from taking the step was the fear of getting baptised and then drifting away from faith. She thought that by delaying baptism, she might postpone that possibility. Yet, seeing her fellow youth take the step, she realised she had nothing to gain by holding back. Even if she were to stumble, she trusts she would find her way back.
“I may be young, but I have had enough experiences growing up to know that this is the decision for me: the decision to be part of the greater, eternal family of Jesus Christ.”
Reflecting on the baptisms of Crieff’s young people, Mariann Cowin, Crieff Communications Officer, shared:
“Against the odds in today’s society, our youth are boldly stepping forward in their faith through baptism. As a teenager, it is not unusual to crave acceptance and validation from your peers, so to see our youth following the example of Christ and choosing Him publicly makes us as a congregation very proud of the next generation of Crieff.”
Each baptism is a reminder of God’s transforming love and the joy of welcoming new members into His eternal family. Alongside Crieff, the Scottish Mission church family celebrates Sharon, Joseph, Olivia, and Zuzia, and prays that their journeys of faith continue to grow, inspiring others in the community and beyond.
