OPINION:
Even a brief look at the news today is generally cause for concern, alarm, worry and even depression. The world is no doubt in a precarious place, with many indicators pointing in the wrong direction.
But while increasing chaos and bizarre cultural trends are perhaps best summarized as a flaming dumpster fire headed toward a steep cliff, there’s another dynamic unfolding that cannot be ignored — and it’s one that stands to instill some hope amid the dread.
Just as the nation’s moral fabric seems torn and tattered beyond recognition, there has been a spate of spiritual revivals and movements worthy of our attention. And these uncommon occurrences seem to be painting a countercultural tapestry rooted in goodness and truth.
America’s largest recorded baptism
Let’s start by exploring some of the mass baptisms we’ve seen of late.
With Americans’ belief in God plummeting to its lowest point in 22 years, there’s no doubt a cultural rot is afoot. Yet, at the same time, pockets of people have been left reeling, rudderless and confused by society’s rapid shift toward relativism.
SEE ALSO: Americans’ belief in God, heaven at lowest point in 22 years, Gallup survey says
And they’re looking for something deeper and more fulfilling.
The Asbury University revival earlier this year was just one of the signs showing that powerful spiritual moves might be bubbling under the surface. But another event just weeks ago — a history-making baptism — sealed the deal.
Pastor Greg Laurie and his Harvest Christian Fellowship church held an event at the famed Pirates Cove beach in California, leading 4,500 people to get baptized. It was reportedly the largest recorded mass baptism in American — and perhaps even world — history.
Mr. Laurie told me 20,000 people showed up to watch the procession as well.
“It was really overwhelming,” he said. “There was a line of people a half-mile long to get into the cove, because we have one staircase. So, we have to take people down, baptize them, send them back up and have more people come down, and so it’s logistically really challenging.”
Another record-breaking baptism stuns
SEE ALSO: Prayer, revival and ‘Jesus Revolution’: Is our rotting culture on verge of something big?
And while some might assume that was a random one-off, consider that Mr. Laurie’s record-breaking baptism came just weeks after another event at Pirates Cove garnered national attention.
Baptize SoCal, a mass baptism organized by Pastors Mark and Rachelle Francey of Oceans Church in California, brought churches together from all over the area to share in a mass public profession of faith.
Remarkably, 4,166 people were baptized, with 8,000 spectators attending.
Baptize SoCal briefly held the record for the biggest recorded baptism in American history until, just a few weeks later, Mr. Laurie’s event miraculously superseded it.
Daniel Mamora, a worship leader at Calvary South OC in San Clemente, watched Baptize SoCal unfold firsthand and was totally blown away.
“It just shows them … that people know a true living God [who] loves, saves, heals and delivers, and that wants to be your friend,” he told me. “It was so incredible, just seeing all these people come together.”
Inmates are discovering Jesus
These events aren’t exclusive to Pirate’s Cove, as numerous ministries have reported seeing inmates embracing Jesus — and getting baptized — in prisons and jails across America.
God Behind Bars, a Christian ministry serving incarcerated men and women, recently released a stunning video showing 150 inmates who are serving 10 years to life singing praise and worship music and praying.
“As we began to play ‘Gratitude’ by Brandon Lake, the spirit of the men worshipping changed,” a description of the events in the video reads. “These incarcerated men began to cheer and clap as they sing ‘So come on, my soul … lift up your song, ‘Cause you’ve got a lion inside of those lungs, Get up and praise, the Lord.’”
It’s truly a powerful sight. And it comes after numerous reports of prisoners expressing faith and worshipping in other locations as well.
None of this, of course, should lead us to assume culture is headed in the right direction. It’s clear we’re slowly sinking into a post-truth era in which reality has become a casualty of individualized experiences and hyper-emotive expression.
Still, it’s clear that more and more people are being lifted out of that abyss and discovering what matters most. The hopelessness our culture breeds is pointing some to look for healing.
These most recent events come after other faith-fueled occurrences have dominated headlines in recent months, including the nation’s prayerful reaction to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsing and suffering cardiac arrest at a Jan. 2 NFL game, the stunning success of “Jesus Revolution” and the aforementioned Asbury Revival, among other moments.
My main prayer now is that these powerful displays continue, with hearts, minds and lives transformed in the process.
• Billy Hallowell is a digital TV host and interviewer for Faithwire and CBN News and the co-host of CBN’s “Quick Start Podcast.” Hallowell is the author of four books.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.