More than 26,000 individuals across the United States were baptized Sunday in what is believed to be the largest synchronized baptism event in the nation's history. Dubbed "Baptize America," the one-day initiative saw 26,657 individuals baptized and 6,445 salvations recorded across 1,080 baptism events hosted by 650 churches in all 50 states, according to preliminary numbers. Organizers on Sunday night said about 10 percent of churches had yet to report.

The baptisms took place in a wide variety of areas -- from small rural churches to outdoor locations like Pirates Cove in Corona del Mar, Calif. In Colorado Springs, Zeal Church held baptisms indoors at Citadel Mall, with hundreds of onlookers.

It was the brainchild of Oceans Church (Calif.) Pastor Mark Francey, who previously helped organize three other mass baptism events: 2023's Baptize SoCal, 2024's Baptize California and another Baptize California event this year. Those gatherings, like this year, saw thousands baptized.

"This wasn't just about a moment in the water; it was about launching people into a life with Jesus, surrounded by a community that can help them grow," Francey said Sunday. "We witnessed countless personal transformations and families baptized together; it was a movement of hope."

Francey announced on Sunday that Baptize America will become an annual event held each year on Pentecost Sunday.

"This is just the beginning," Francey said. "We believe Pentecost Sunday will be marked yearly by revival, renewal, and restoration across America."

It was livestreamed online.

"Our heart was to unite the local church, to work together, to really reach our world, and then to build a kingdom by connecting all of these people that are making a decision to get connected to the local church," Francey previously told Crosswalk Headlines. "For us, the win isn't the count of how many got baptized, really, it's going to be how that translates into how we are getting people connected to the local church."

Francey sees the sparks of revival across America.

"God is not done with America and California," he said. "In the 1960s, revival followed campus riots and national division. Light shines brightest in dark windows of time. …If this can happen in California, it can spread across America."

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