Baptism doesn't make you a believer. It shows that you are already one! Only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring - it is the outward symbol of the commitment you have already made in your heart.

In the same way Jesus was baptized - by being immersed in water. ("As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water." - Matthew 3:16 ) The word "baptize" from the Greek word "baptizo", means "to dip" or "to immerse" under water. Immersion is the best way to picture a burial and resurrection. As the person being baptized goes under water, he is identifying himself with the death and burial of Christ. As he comes up out of the water, he is identifying himself with the resurrection of Christ.

We ask that each believer, as a sign of their obedience and commitment to Christ, be baptized before completing the membership process.

We ask each person being baptized to share a brief (3-5 minute) story about about when and how they came to put their trust in Christ. In short, tell your own story of salvation in such a way that anyone in the congregation could understand how to become a Christian.

Westover requires that you be baptized again if you have not been baptized since you became a believer. It does not devaluate a prior experience, such as infant baptism, which was your parents’ way to indicate their intent to raise you as a Christian, but simply reflects your desire to be baptized in the same way Jesus was baptized.

For further information about baptism, please email baptism@westoverchurch.com or (336) 299-7374 ext.1000