The California megachurch pastored by best-selling author, Rick Warren, has become the first congregation in US history to baptize 50,000 people.
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Warren, author of the wildly popular “The Purpose Driven Life,” posted to Facebook Saturday to share his joy at the staggering figure. “I never stop being amazed by you. You are extraordinary people, and I continually thank God for what you mean to me,” he wrote.
Saddleback Church, which is located in Lake Forest, was also the first to send the Gospel to all 197 officials nations in the world. But this weekend, something absolutely extraordinary occurred: the 50,000th person was baptized into the new life of Christ.
“Imagine all the amazing personal stories of changed lives behind that number!” Warren continued. “50,000 individual lives transformed by Jesus since Saddleback Church began. This is unprecedented in history! YOU are likely one of those stories of a changed life!”
Warren, an internationally renowned speaker and preacher, praised his church family for being the driving force behind such a wonderful achievement.
50,000 lives and counting. Each of these lives represents an individual changed by and committed to a relationship with Jesus Christ. We are in awe of what God has done in the last 38 years and are hopeful and expectant for what he will do in the years to come. Thank you, God! pic.twitter.com/OSajKJH8Jb
— Saddleback Church (@Saddleback) August 13, 2018
“YOU genuinely love people and you want them to go to Heaven with you! Every day, you bring your friends, co-workers, and family to Jesus,” he said, adding, “Honestly, I’ve never seen a group like you anywhere else in the world. I’m humbled to be your pastor, and I could not be more proud of you.”
Some of those who were baptized at Saddleback spoke of their experience to Newsmax.
“I don’t know how to describe it,” said 51-year-old Irene Anderson. “It’s very special, very different, very gentile. (Warren) is just looking at you with love. I feel like Jesus is in him and he’s in Jesus. It was a great experience. I felt I really had a connection with God, like a strong bond.”
On its website, the megachurch, which sees a weekly attendance of over 20,000 people, explained why it is so keen on keeping track of every single person who gets immersed in the baptism pool.
“Every person counts!” an article reads celebrating the monumental milestone. “Each number represents a life forever changed by Jesus. As one church family in 19 locations, it is our humble privilege to be part of a church family that is making such an impact and is seeing so many lives transformed.”
Others posted on Twitter to congratulate Pastor Rick and Saddleback on their wonderful ministry. “God has used you to affect so many lives and I just want to say thank you for making such a difference in this world and being such a light,” said former NFL star Tim Tebow in a video posted to Twitter. “You guys are truly crushing it for the sake of the gospel.”
We’re continuing to celebrate 50K baptisms (50,000 lives committed to Jesus!) with friends across the country. Thank you, @TimTebow. 🎉 pic.twitter.com/atxuli9EbX
— Saddleback Church (@Saddleback) August 13, 2018
We’re continuing to celebrate 50K baptisms (50,000 lives committed to Jesus!) with friends across the country. Thank you, @AndyStanley. 🎉 pic.twitter.com/XlqDFP33uY
— Saddleback Church (@Saddleback) August 13, 2018
Celebrating with my buddy @rickwarren and the @saddleback family for 50,000 baptisms as of today! Kingdom Impact! pic.twitter.com/uNRXM2xck6
— Jonathan Falwell (@jonathanfalwell) August 13, 2018
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