Baptize America swept the nation on June 8, Pentecost Sunday, with coordinators of the event praising the thousands of lives that joined in the nationwide baptism day. Event founder Mark Francey spoke about the event’s spread, from Pirate’s Cove, CA to the state of California and now to the nation. “I heard that small still voice, which many Christians are familiar with, just placing these really clear thoughts in my heart. The key moment was when His voice said to do it on the day of Pentecost. That’s when the church was born,” he told The Christian Post. “It felt like He wanted to make Pentecost Sunday a day when the Christian world would truly celebrate, and maybe even the lost world would know that this is a day they can walk into a church and get baptized anywhere.” The event even had an international component, with Baptize Canada seeing 1,100 people get baptized.

Francey said he believed as many as 28,000 to 30,000 people were baptized during the event. Over 600 churches across all 50 states hosted baptisms in over 1,000 separate events. Those who participated shared their experiences. “It felt like God was there — just amazing,” said Kaili Newby, one person who was baptized. Another participant, Gabriel, was surprised to have his mother join in. “If it wasn’t for her prayers, and if it wasn’t for God’s grace, I would either be dead or in jail because that’s the activities I was involved with in the Middle East,” he said.

Franey spoke of how God made coordinating such a big event possible. “When what you’re doing is bigger, better, and smarter than you, you really can’t take credit for it. It truly felt like God’s hand was on this to bring some of the great leaders in the Body of Christ on board,” he said. “Some of the largest churches in America participated, probably five out of the 10 largest churches in the country were part of this and were huge advocates. That definitely helped create critical mass, which was amazing,” he added. “From coast to coast, heaven is rejoicing. This is more than a moment, it’s a move of God!” Baptize America wrote on its page. Prior to the event, Franey took on Baptize California in May, which saw over 7,700 people get baptized.