Over 1,200 people gathered on Bournemouth Beach, to watch new believers from 14 churches be baptised in the sea. 

Even larger crowds are exepected for the second beach baptism Sunday, taking place next week. The event, now in its second year, has drawn crowds and believers from Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole. The BCP Church collective expanded the baptisms to two weekends this year, due to popular demand.

Thirty people were baptised during Sunday's service on the sand, including local resident Val Simon.

"When I learnt of the baptisms on the beach, I knew this was absolutely the right thing for me," she said. "I pray people will be inspired by this event, because it’s never too late to commit and be baptised!”

The inaugural beach baptism last July saw 92 people baptised in a single morning, with more than 1,300 in attendance.

Tim Matthews, Senior Leader at Lovechurch, said: “In a time of such uncertainty, with so much bad news around, the beach baptisms are a sign of great hope for everyone in BCP. Many are finding new life through faith in Jesus. The Church in BCP is alive and kicking with joyful new life.”

Peter Baker, Senior Minister at Lansdowne Church, delivered the sermons. "The beach baptisms are a public declaration," he told Premier Christian News. "We've got seven miles of golden sand. That's what baptism is all about. It's a public demonstration of faith in Jesus. It symbolizes the forgiveness, the cleansing, the washing, the fresh start."

He added that God is "on the march" in a range of contexts. "We've got people getting baptised from refugee migrant backgrounds, people who have new age backgrounds. We've got young folks who have been open to the spirit of God, just in extraordinary ways."