Vicky Arias, FISM News
Thousands of people reportedly gave their lives to Christ on Sunday as 4,166 souls were baptized at Pirate’s Cove in Newport Beach, California.
In an event called ‘Baptize SoCal,’ Oceans Church in California coordinated with hundreds of other churches to execute a historic mass baptism, which also marked the 50 year anniversary of the beginning of the Jesus Movement in the early 1970s. Over 8,000 people were in attendance.
Billy Hallowell, senior writer at Faithwire.com, on Wednesday, commented on the historic event.
“This is … honoring that 50th anniversary,” Hallowell said. “It’s kind of crazy this is all happening … right now, this year … when the nation is in a desperate, I think, spiritual position.”
Pirate’s Cove is also the location depicted in the movie, “Jesus Revolution,” a box office smash that recounted the life of famed pastor, Greg Laurie, and earned over $52 million worldwide.
On June 21, 1971, Time published an article about the early ’70s movement and Christian revival.
“There is an uncommon morning freshness to this movement, a buoyant atmosphere of hope and love along with the usual rebel zeal … But their love seems more sincere than a slogan, deeper than the fast-fading sentiments of the flower children; what startles the outsider is the extraordinary sense of joy that they are able to communicate,” the article stated.
Modern instances of people seeking God en masse have been evidenced this year. Christian productions, like The Chosen and Jesus Revolution, have made millions of dollars, and a Christian worship service at Asbury University in Kentucky turned into a major 16-day event that drew thousands of people.
Widespread prayer and supplication were also invoked in early January when football player Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field. Team members and coaches fell to their knees and openly asked God for help and healing for the young man.
Hallowell interviewed worship leader Daniel Mamora, who helped at Sunday’s event, and asked him if he thought another revival was on the horizon.
“I believe there is a revival starting to stir … [and] I think … it goes back to 2 Chronicles 7:14,” Mamora said. That verse, he continued, “is … the perfect verse … when it comes to revival because revival starts with us.”
The verse Mamora referred to (2 Chronicles 7:14) speaks of humility and repentance and states:
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.