On May 9, 2026, Home of Shalom gathered by the Spokane River for the church plant’s first baptism.
Crystal Umbarger heard about Home of Shalom through Shine 104.9 FM. She and her mother decided to attend a church get-together and quickly became engaged and active participants.
Before the baptism, Home of Shalom held an outdoor “unplugged” worship service at Minnehaha Park in Spokane featuring acoustic worship music, time in nature and studying God’s word on the importance of rest.
After the service, they gathered at the riverside where Umbarger shared her personal testimony before her baptism.
Umbarger left the church she was raised in after experiencing spiritual trauma. Seeking God elsewhere, her journey led to pursuing Islam in Saudi Arabia, where she was later kidnapped.
“Instead of an answer from a human authority, God answered directly through His word,” said Umbarger. “He led me to Psalms 146, where it says, ‘Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings who cannot save you.’ In that moment, everything became clear: While the world failed me, God did not. While people could not save me, God could, and He did!”
One attendee shared that they appreciated how personal and familial the baptism felt, noting a stark contrast from their former experience of large-scale baptisms.
Another baptism is already planned, and others have expressed interest.
See the baptism at news.uccsda.org/hosbaptism526.
Family and friends gather at the river to celebrate Umbarger's testimony and baptism.
Crystal and her mother
Crystal Umbarger (left) is baptized by Tyler Kern (right).
