FROM “AMAZING FACTS” TO AMAZING GRACE: A Couple’s Story
By Renee and Lorenzo Sereno

(This article was featured in the March 2006 edition of the Central Clarion, the monthly newsletter of the Modesto Central Seventh Day Adventist Church.)


February 11, 2006. The atmosphere was hushed and festive. In the upstairs dressing room, church women were fussing over us, much like local tribeswomen, preparing virginal young brides for their wedding day. And in many ways, it was indeed a wedding ceremony we were anticipating, as we stood there, in single file, all clothed in white. At least it was, for me.

It all began about four weeks before, when I noticed an interesting flyer in the mail. “Bible Prophecy Seminar”, it read. I put it aside to show to my husband, Lorenzo. I was saved and baptized in a Baptist church when I was just twelve, and I remember that my favorite sermons in my youth were the ones concerning bible prophecy and the end times. I knew Lorenzo would find the subject just as fascinating as I did.

I showed him the flyer later that day, and he seemed interested enough. The promise of free child care and free parking in what I could see was a downtown address made it even more enticing. “We won’t beg you for money,” it said. What did we have to lose?

I started attending on the fifth day of the seminar. Lorenzo joined it two days later. All it took was one session, and we found ourselves coming back for more. There was something very earnest and appealing about the way Tyler Long conducted each lesson. He struck us as sincere and approachable, and his direct, no-nonsense presentations were very effective. We also enjoyed learning new things about the Bible and its teachings, and we looked forward to learning more “Amazing Facts” as the seminar progressed.

While all of this was going on, it was comforting to know that our three children were also being taught about Jesus and his saving love. We could never thank Teri Johnson and the other Children’s Program volunteers enough for taking such good care of Lance, Troy and Reanna, whom they literally fed, both in body and in spirit.

As the weeks passed, I found myself having to unlearn many of the things I thought I knew, about the rapture and the “tribulation saints”, and about death and the Sabbath. It gave me a greater sense of urgency to witness to my loved ones, knowing there would be “no second Chances” after the Rapture. And it made me watch myself more closely, knowing for certain that there was no truth to the statement, “Once Saved, Always Saved.”

Because of the seminar, I finally became serious about my daily devotions, and I am beginning to notice the awesome power of prayer in my life. I can now think of my late father, grandmother and grandfathers with peace in my heart, knowing they are just lying in sleep, waiting for the Lord’s return. All pork and shrimp products have been exorcised out of my home, and my refrigerator and larder are noticeably lighter, coinciding with my new lightness of spirit. I’m still working on burying my bothersome habit of saying “Sunday” when referring to the Sabbath, but I know the Lord is patient with me, and that, too, will come in time.


The white line of women begins to move toward the baptistery. I am beginning to feel the unmistakable flutter of nerves at the pit of my stomach. I hand Verla Thorn, my ultra-chic ministering angel, my towel. She hugs me to calm my nerves, and it works wonders.

Finally, it’s my turn. I see my husband, Lorenzo, and Pastor James Scarborough, waiting for me at the bottom of the steps, both of them resplendent in black. Verla gives my hand one last reassuring squeeze as I walk down into the warm, soothing water. Pastor James introduces my husband and me to our new church family. Suddenly, I hear a child’s voice, yelling from the balcony.

“Hi Mom!”

It’s my daughter, Reanna, 19 months and irrepressible as ever. Her older brothers, Lance and Troy, are waving to us with big smiles. We wave back to them, using our special “I love you” hand signal, thankful that they are in Donna Bearden’s capable hands.

The ceremony begins. Pastor James baptizes Lorenzo first. I could see my husband trying to hold his emotions in check, and I am touched beyond words. Then it’s my turn. As I rise out of the water, I hear the congregation clapping, and my heart warms at the sound of their acceptance.

There was only one other time in my life when the sound of applause made me feel the same kind of joy I felt that day, and that was just after Lorenzo and I were pronounced man and wife. Indeed, in a way, our re-baptism was just like a renewal of our wedding vows, except on this occasion, it was a marriage of three, as both Lorenzo and I joined the Bride of Christ, waiting for the Bridegroom as He gets our heavenly mansion ready for us.

Pastor James pronounces a blessing over the two of us, and we hold each other close, both of us giving way to our emotions. Our sins had just been literally washed away, and we were starting life anew, in one with the Lord.

What a wonderful gift He has given us: a new life, once again made spotless through His redeeming love!


Last Word from Lorenzo. As Renee and I walked back to our respective dressing rooms, I couldn’t help but feel a slight twinge of sadness that my two older boys, Joey and Chris, couldn’t make it to the ceremony. After all, I had my whole family with me, (them included), when I was first baptized, shortly after our wedding six years ago.

I have always maintained a close bond with my older sons, even after my marriage to their mother ended. I knew it was important for them to still have a father in their life, having experienced the opposite when I was growing up. My father was a merchant marine, and he used to be away from his family for years at a time. While I knew that these prolonged periods of separation did not diminish his love for us, there were still times in my life when I wondered if he could have exerted just a little more effort to be there for us when we needed him most.

This question must have made it back to my mind again that day, just after I was re-baptized. Because as I was changing back into my church clothes, a strange quiet seemed to descend upon me, and I heard an unmistakable voice coming from within.

“Lorenzo,” it said, “I am your Father now…”
“And I was always there for you.”