Hosted by Oceans Church and led by Pastor Mark Francey, the event dubbed “Baptize California” drew approximately 30,000 attendees from more than 300 churches across the state.
More than 7700 people of all ages publicly professed their faith through baptisms, either in the ocean or in portable baptisteries positioned along the beach.
The mass baptism, now in its second year, exceeded last year’s turnout of 6,000 and is seen by organizers as a spiritual catalyst for an even larger national event planned for next month. Called “Baptize America,” the initiative aims to unite thousands of churches across the United States in what is described as “the largest synchronized baptism in history.”
The next event will be held on June 8 and falls on Pentecost Sunday, a date that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. Organizers believe the timing is symbolic and strategic, pointing to revival and national spiritual renewal.
The Baptize America campaign seeks to unite churches from diverse backgrounds around a common theological practice: the public declaration of faith through water baptism. Its website states, “This is not about any single church. It’s about churches across the nation united, pursuing the fulfillment of the Great Commission.”