A California pastor is stepping out in faith to organize what could be the largest synchronized baptism event in history, uniting believers across the country in a powerful display of devotion.
Mark Francey, pastor of Oceans Church in San Juan Capistrano, is spearheading Baptize America, a one-day event on June 8 that he hopes will surpass all previous mass baptisms. After witnessing the overwhelming response to regional efforts—Baptize SoCal in 2023, which saw nearly 4,200 baptisms, and Baptize California in 2024, where over 12,200 people were immersed—Francey is now taking this movement to the national stage.
Francey sees Baptize America as a call to revival, a movement that transcends denominations and geographical boundaries to bring the body of Christ together in a single, powerful act of faith.
“We’re going to launch a nationwide movement,” Francey declared. “We just believe that if God could do it here in California, He can certainly do it in Tennessee, or Florida, or some of the other great states.”
The event invites churches from every state to hold their own synchronized baptism services, ensuring that on June 8, thousands—perhaps even millions—of believers will make a public declaration of their faith. Those who may not belong to a church but feel drawn to participate can register through the Baptize America website to find a local event.
Francey is partnering with churches across the nation to organize the historic day, working across denominational lines to unify Christians around one of the foundational elements of faith: baptism.
“I think that baptism could be a catalytic thing that we can all rally around, get excited about, and use to mobilize the church to work together,” he said.
Francey’s efforts come amid growing reports of revival across the country. From college students spontaneously getting baptized in the beds of pickup trucks to the renowned Asbury Revival in Kentucky—where an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in 2023 led to a two-week, non-stop church service—there are increasing signs that God is moving powerfully in people’s hearts.
Baptize America seeks to build on this momentum, giving believers and seekers alike an opportunity to take a bold step of faith.
Despite the massive scale of this endeavor, no one is more surprised by its success than Francey himself. He admits that he never expected to lead a movement like this, saying he was “probably the least likely candidate to try to do something like this.”
But God had other plans.
“We’re just a bunch of nobodies that believe that God can do anything,” he said. “And when we tried to partner with God, He’s just created this divine momentum that we could never really reproduce.”
Francey is particularly passionate about reaching those who might not regularly attend church but feel drawn to something greater.
“We’re going to actually do a massive campaign inviting people who normally wouldn’t come to church,” he shared. “The message is simple: ‘Do you want to get closer to God? Are you ready to take the next step? Get water baptized. Be part of the largest synchronized baptism day in history.'”
With the event just months away, excitement is growing as churches across America prepare to participate. Francey believes this moment is about more than just numbers—it’s about transformation, obedience, and seeing lives changed for eternity.
“We’re really, really excited for what God’s doing with this baptism movement,” he said.
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