A Texas church recently reported a “record-breaking number of baptisms” for the third year in a row. Still, instead of merely focusing on the members, Champion Forest in Houston, Texas, noted each of the “755 souls publicly declaring their faith in Christ” represents something far more significant than mere statistics.
In a post on X, the church said, “These aren’t just numbers. They are lives forever changed, families transformed, and testimonies of God’s relentless grace.” The message continued, “We want to extend our deepest thanks to every single person who has been part of this amazing journey. Your prayers, service and love for others have all contributed to the unfolding of this divine narrative.” Champion Forest also shared a quick video recapping some of the remarkable faith moments and baptisms that unfolded at the church over the past year.
The post read, “Each of these images offers glimpses of the joy and spiritual renewal that has swept through Champion Forest this year. May these moments not only serve as a reflection of the past but also fuel our passion for the year ahead.” The Champion Forest experience is undoubtedly anecdotal, though it appears to be a part of a broader pattern in faith communities across America.
? What a Year at Champion Forest! ?
CF Family, as we close out another incredible church year (October 1 – September 30), we can’t help but stand in awe of what God has done in our community. For the third year in a row, we’ve seen a record-breaking number of baptisms—755… pic.twitter.com/FPqhUzG1l7
— Champion Forest (@championforest) October 8, 2023
While culture is moving further from faith and moral chaos is raging, pockets of spiritual resurgence and even revival appear to be unfolding. Adrienne Bankert, former “Good Morning America” correspondent and weekend host who now anchors “Morning in America” on NewsNation, recently told CBN Digital the prevalent narrative that faith is dying or diminishing isn’t entirely accurate. “To me, there’s a resurgence of faith at this time,” she said, noting the current chaos unfolding economically, with immigration, and on other fronts is “unlike anything we’ve ever seen in our country’s history.”
Bankert continued, “We have more fear, we have more divisiveness politically, and then we come off the heels of this global epidemic.” She said these “life-shaking, altering” events have brought many people to the end of themselves, and, in turn, these individuals are now looking for something more profound. She said, “To think that in all these polls that people say, ‘I don’t believe in God,’ and that most people are angry with God, bitter with God, change their mind about God — I just don’t know who they’re talking to. Because for a lot of people, they found their faith during these past few years. They found their faith in a time of crisis.”
With the Asbury University revival earlier this year and multiple reports of churches seeing spontaneous and record baptisms, it seems Bankert could be on to something. Last month, around 200 students decided to accept Jesus and scores were baptized during an event at Auburn University. Meanwhile, celebrities are increasingly voicing their love for the Lord.
God and faith keep popping up, even in some of the most unlikely places. Hopefully, God’s message of love will continue to spread and bring more people to Him.