Churches across California gathered to celebrate Pentecost over the weekend, baptising thousands of people in what’s been reported as the nation’s largest collective baptism in history.

Twelve thousand people were immersed in water across various churches in the state, as part of the “Baptize California” initiative, with 6,000 being baptised at the campaign’s headquarters in Huntington Beach.

“God lit a match yesterday! If God can do this in the church in California, it can — and it will — happen in the rest of America,” event founder, pastor Mark Francey told CBN News on Monday.

Worship leaders and speakers led people in a two-day Pentecost celebration at the beach front location.

Francey shared one of the many stories of God moving at the event, as a Satanist accepted Jesus and “immediately got baptised.”

Baptize California seeks to see people saved, baptised in water and brought into discipleship through local churches.

Last Year, Francey hosted a similar event called ‘Baptize SoCal’ in which more than 280 churches gathered on mass to witness over 4,000 baptisms, reportedly breaking records for the largest recorded US baptism event.

Speaking at the time, organisers Oceans Church called the event the "greatest Holy Awakening to hit our shores."

Shortly after this, a similar event hosted by pastor Greg Laurie saw a further 4,500 people baptised in water at Pirates Cove, breaking the previous record.

Born out of a vision from God, Francey intends to grow the mass immersion campaign to reach beyond California as a nationwide event.

“Now we are gearing up to do this and unite the church all over America,” Francey told CBN News.

The next event is planned for Pentecost Sunday, 8th June 2025.