Photos courtesy of Levi Kemp
Video courtesy of Jonathon Rios
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
On October 10 at Bridlington Beach, United Kingdom (UK), more than 550 people were baptized in the North Sea.
“Jesus is for everybody. Do not ever think that you're not good enough for Jesus. So come to Him in your brokenness, repent of your sins, and He will receive you,” encouraged Merlin Kraft, from Calvary Chapel Plymouth, England. He recounted the events of a mass baptism with CC York Pastor Dave Sylvester. Merlin has been working with his own church and other Calvary Chapels and churches around the UK to provide multiple opportunities for believers to be baptized.
Merlin continued, “Jesus isn't looking for perfect people, and that's the biggest lie that the enemy has spun around the world.” In Matthew 9:11-13, there is an example of Jesus’ love for sinners. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Just a few hundred yards from where Pastor Dave and Merlin invited believers to be baptized, John Wesley preached the Gospel in the town of Bridlington in the late 1700s. There is a long history of the Lord planting the seeds of His Word in Bridlington.
Dave reached out to Merlin after the mass baptism at Bigbury Beach in Devon, England. “I mentioned to Merlin that we had our own building in Bridlington, close to South Beach, and wanted to start doing outreaches and Bible studies in the area. It seemed like perfect timing and a perfect fit.” Dave expounded on the aftermath of the baptisms, “Now, we are hearing from people in the area that want to join our Bible studies and be a part of the new work of the Lord in Bridlington. We are calling the building, Calvary Chapel Beach House.”
Believers from CC York who came out to help with the baptism didn’t know what to expect. “We had our designated spot and time but had no idea who would show up. I put out a couple of foldout tables on the sand, set up a little PA system so they could hear the Gospel being shared, and waited,” Dave explained.
“Then they started coming—from one end of the of the country to the other. Some people actually booked hotels the night before.” Dave described the turnout on the beach, “We also had 60 to 80 people from the church come over to participate. We had no idea we would be baptizing that many people!”
Pastor Dave summarized the whole event, “It was definitely a work of the Spirit—all we did is show up.”
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6
Dave described the power of the Gospel, “Jesus came and He died on the cross, which was a massive event. And then He sent His disciples to go into all the world to preach the Gospel.”
Matthew 28:19-20 shares Jesus’ final exhortation to His disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” Amen.
“The greatest event in your life is when you open your heart to Jesus and say, ‘I want to receive what He's done for me.’ That's the greatest event,” Dave continued, “The angels are rejoicing in Heaven when you give your life to the Lord. Getting baptized is proclaiming to the world that you are following Jesus, no turning back.”
“Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10
Another baptism scheduled for December 31, 2026, New Year’s Eve in Cornwall at St. Ives. Find more details on Merlin’s online ministry at BibleLadUK.
Please pray for those who are traveling to these baptisms, and for the pastors and churches who are seeking the Lord and serving the communities around them.
Thank you for reading! If this story inspired you, we invite you to partner with us in continuing the ministry God started over 27 years ago. We appreciate your prayerful consideration in joining us to reach more souls for Jesus.
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