The pastor behind a historic mass baptism last year is now setting his sights on what could once again break records and lead hundreds — if not thousands of people — to the Lord. Pastor Mark Francey of Oceans Church in California shocked the nation last year when he hosted Baptize SoCal, an event that attracted thousands of spectators and led to nearly 4,200 baptisms. At the time, it was reportedly the largest recorded baptism in U.S. history.
One year later, Francey is gearing up for an even larger effort: Baptize California, a state-wide initiative that could shatter other historical markers to become the "world's largest synchronized baptism." Francey told CBN News his baptism efforts started with a vision from God. His church was just three years old when he embarked on the ambitious Baptize SoCal event, and, at the time, he wasn't looking to launch into such an endeavor.
"I'm originally from California, but [had] spent the last 17 years in a different state, so moving here, starting a brand new church, treading ... water after COVID — the last thing on our mind was uniting ... this global baptism initiative," Francey said. But after he read a book that talked about one of the largest water baptisms in American history held at Pirate's Cove in California, he was surprised to learn the mass immersion took place in the 1990s.
Francey said he assumed it would have been much earlier. He was also intrigued by the fact it took place at the very same location where the late Chuck Smith baptized masses of young people 50 years ago during the Jesus movement. Pirate's Cove continues to have a profound impact on people’s lives today. All of these themes and ideas coalesced into a vision that changed everything for Francey. "I had almost like an open vision," he said, noting the vivid experience included worship and very specific details. "I saw boats from guys I knew in our church parked along Pirate's Cove."
Francey, who isn't prone to these sorts of images from God, said he told his church about it a few weeks later and people got excited. That's when he felt the Lord pushing him to organize and fund Baptize SoCal. At first, he was reluctant. "I tried to talk God out of it," Francey said. "I'm like, 'There's a lot of other guys here, fathers, mothers here that are doing great things. You know, I'm a nobody.'" The preacher said God wasn't interested in his insecurity. Francey knew he was called to embark on the baptism mission, and he decided to listen. Hear him explain.