Over 4500 baptized in California in event of ‘biblical proportions’

More than 4,500 people were baptized at a southern California beach while 15,000 other attendees looked on.

The event was held in July at Pirates Cove Beach in Newport Beach by Pastor Greg Laurie and Harvest Christian Fellowship, according to the Christian Post.

The mass baptism was inspired by the movie “Jesus Revolution,” which tells of the true story of a young Laurie, who turned his back on the 1970’s hippie drug culture and decided to follow Jesus.

The Pirates Cove location was featured in the 1970’s movement and was further popularized by the Jesus Revolution movie.

“I would say the Jesus Revolution movie really impacted people and so many have come to Christ after seeing it,” Laurie told the Christian Post. “They were so moved by the baptism scenes in the film and wanted to take the same step in life. It was life imitating art, and that art was based on my real life story and the story of many others as well.”

Laurie estimated this year’s “Jesus Revolution Pirate’s Cove Beach Baptism,” as he called the event, was one of the “largest baptisms in history.”

“At Pirates Cove, we are looking at a baptism of biblical proportions,” Laurie said, reported the Washington Times.

“Last Saturday, we held the Jesus Revolution Baptism at Pirate’s Cove. This of course is the Site of the Baptisms of the Jesus Movement,” said Laurie via Twitter.  “But we never had a baptism like what happened yesterday….There was a line of folks waiting by the seawall. People Came from all around the Nation and World!”

Laurie told Fox News that there are several takeaways from the event. 

“It just shows it’s never too late for a person to believe,” he said. 

He also said that today’s young people are in particular need of the gospel. 

“I think there is a sense of desperation among many, especially the young. Our young people are hurting like never before,” he told Fox. 

And he likened social media to pouring gasoline on a blaze that’s already out of control.  

“Depression and feelings of hopelessness have skyrocketed among teens. Teen suicide and teen depression are on the rise. Suicide is now the second-leading cause of death among young Americans. Our young people need help. They need God. We all do,” he added. 

Laurie estimated that 20,000 people attended the event.