Baptize California has done it for a second year in a row, hosting an event in which thousands were baptized at Huntington Beach.
Just under a year ago, Baptize California hosted a praise and worship church service on the beach as a record-breaking 12,000 people were baptized. This year 7,752 people were baptized in the ocean and other baptismal tanks over the course of 10 hours.
"Jesus Christ is working again from the beaches of California, awakening a generation, uniting the church to reach the ends of the earth," Pastor Mark Francey of Ocean Church, said in an emailed statement. "A spiritual awakening has begun in California, one that will sweep from the beaches to the neighbourhoods of America, and to the nations of the world."
The service was put on by 500 churches and brought out 30,000 people to the beach.
"Churches are working together in unprecedented ways around Jesus' Great Commission to make disciples and baptize the nation," said Francey.
One of the organizers shared what he sees God doing in the state of California, a state many have "give up on" when it comes to turning to Christ.
"We are excited to see what God is doing. It is not about us, but what God is doing in the hearts of people."
Powerful Testimonies
Many people who were baptized during the beach side service shared their testimonies of what God has done in their lives.
"My body has been healed," said one woman who was baptized. "And more than anything, my heart has been restored. I felt the presence of God."
Many others shared, including a former underboss of the Gambino crime family, named Sammy "The Bull" Gravano. He recently gave his life over to God and was baptized at Huntington Beach that day.
"I ran with the streets, led one of the most powerful crime families in America…but none of that gave me true peace," he shared in a recent video. "I always believed in God but this time, it was different. This time, I surrendered."