Pastor Julian Kirtisingham from Kingdomcity Church in Perth has given more insight into the amazing scenes that took place at what the church claims is the biggest mass baptism in Australian history on Good Friday.
He told Vision Radio: “It is incredibly exciting and what a weekend to do it.”
“On the weekend that we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it was just so powerful to see so many people say: I want to publicly declare my faith in Him.”
Pastor Julian said around 1,000 people had signed up to be baptised, but there were some no-shows as well as some unexpected participants who were attracted to the large crowd watching the event on the South Perth foreshore of the Swan River.
THE STORY OF ONE SPONTANEOUS BAPTISM
He estimates 870 people ended up being baptised.
“By the time you get there and some people ended up not picking up their shirt, then some people end up just jumping in the water themselves.”
“As I was in there baptising, one guy jumped in without the gold cross t-shirt on, which is fine.”
“And I said: Oh, where’s your shirt? He said: Uh, I didn’t sign up. I don’t think God minds.”
“I said: Brother, I don’t mind either. Let’s baptise you.”
BRAZILIAN STUDENT DRAWN BY THE BAPTISM WORSHIP
“We had people that weren’t even connected to the event responding to the Gospel,” Pastor Julian continued.
“There was a lady that had moved to Perth from Brazil to learn English and she was on the other side of the river and she saw this was happening and she could hear the worship music.”
“It was the worship that actually drew her to the crowd and when we gave the salvation appeal, she was in tears as she responded to Christ.”
“She ended up coming back to church two days later and she was sharing that her parents have been praying for this, which is outstanding.”
PASSING COUPLE SEE “COMMOTION” AND GIVE THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST
“There was another couple, they would have been in their mid-50s and they were just driving past South Perth and saw what they called “the commotion.”
“So they parked up their car. Some of our church members saw them walking past and they said: Hey, just come and be part of this.”
“Both of them came. They watched, they heard, they both gave their life to Christ.”
“I think we had a few of those,” the pastor rejoiced.
Australia’s Biggest Mass Baptism – Facebook – Kingdomcity Church
TESTIMONIES FROM THOSE WHO WERE BAPTISED
Others have been sharing their baptism testimonies with Kingdomcity.
“After I got baptised I felt so filled with joy, and my soul was washed clean! I am a new creation!” – Narli
“I grew up traditionally religious, but met God in a new way at Kingdomcity that changed my life forever. I made a decision to get baptised to honour God and now I feel light and free!” – Somy
“I love Jesus so much, and I wanted to publicly declare my love for Jesus! As I came out of the water I felt the joy of the Lord fill me completely!” – Kenzie
“Jesus has completed me and made me whole! I realised that God has been working in my life even before I was born or I even knew He existed.” – Jordan
Australia’s Biggest Mass Baptism – Facebook – Kingdomcity Church
“REFRESHED, RENEWED, WEIGHT OF THE PAST GONE”
“When I came out of the water I felt an overwhelming sensation of peace & joy. I knew that everything that I had carried with me and all the weight of my past fell off me.” – Yongour
“We got baptised to completely obey Him and repent, and we feel refreshed, happy and made new!” – Aryanni & Roberto
“Coming out of the water, I felt awesome, renewed, and that my Heavenly Father loves me so much.” – Bryan
“I had been praying for my husband to know Jesus. So we chose to get baptised to change our lives for the better.” – Rodeth
Australia’s Biggest Mass Baptism – Facebook – Kingdomcity Church
“PEACE FOUND, PAIN GONE AND COMPLETELY FREE”
“He has Saved me from my past life and coming out of the water l felt peace and reassurance that He is with me.” – Bonnie
“When I came out of the water all of the pain I had held onto was no longer there and I felt free” – Tim
“I felt afraid but chose to trust God. When I came up out of the water, I encountered the Holy Spirit in a powerful way. It felt overwhelming, like nothing I had experienced before. I felt completely free. Fear and doubt lifted, and I was filled with peace, purpose, and boldness.” – Mercy
PRAISE FOR CHURCH ORGANISERS
Pastor Julian praised Kingdomcity’s team for organising the mass baptism.
“We in Perth have seven campuses [who organised] the pastoral preparation that was done as people signed up — taking them through the theology of baptism so they understood what they were part of, but also practically preparing them for what that would look like.”
“The team went above and beyond. We had to book the venue. We had to organise change rooms and bathrooms and all the tech.”
“We’re going to need some kind of live feed and some kind of stage to lead people.”
“We are brilliantly led globally by Pastors Mark and Jemima (Varughese) and we have an outstanding team here in Perth as well.”
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