‘I put the invitation online. God did the rest’: 170 baptised at Devon beach

At a beach in Devon, 170 people were baptised in the sea after an open invitation was shared on social media.

Merlin Kraft, known as BibleLadUK on social media, organised the open-air baptism service earlier this month with his church, Calvary Chapel Plymouth, after receiving messages online from people eager to take the public step of faith. He explained: “I put the invitation online. God did the rest.”

A gospel message was preached, and people were given information to link up with local churches. Bibles and tracts were also handed out to the crowds who gathered to witness the event.

Hunger for Jesus

Kraft said: “I’m still in disbelief at what I saw at Bigbury Beach at the weekend. God was in it the whole way. All I can say is all glory to God at this point, but what we saw down there was extraordinary. It was amazing.”

The online evangelist added: “I’m seeing a groundswell that I haven’t seen before. People are more open to talking about Christianity. Men message me asking which Bible they should buy because they want to follow Jesus. People are searching.”

“Whatever the explanation, there is clearly a hunger for Jesus.”

Public declaration

In June, more than 1,000 people gathered at Bournemouth Beach over the course of two weekends to witness 128 people being baptised in the sea. Val Simon, who was one of those baptised, said: “I pray people will be inspired by this event, because it’s never too late to commit and be baptised!”

Peter Baker, Senior Minister at Lansdowne Church, told Premier Christian News that the “beach baptisms are a public declaration”.

“That’s what baptism is all about. It’s a public demonstration of faith in Jesus. It symbolizes the forgiveness, the cleansing, the washing, the fresh start.”