Despite not having in-person weekend services, thousands of people have come to know Jesus and have been baptized at Saddleback this year. God is working in wonderful ways to expand his family — a family with members of all ages.

Two of our Saddleback Kids Small Group (KSG) students have been friends since kindergarten. Last year, one of the girls invited her best friend to join her in KSG. Together, they are involved in school, soccer, and Girl Scouts. One of the girls had a desire to be baptized ever since she started growing in her faith. When she voiced her interest, her friend also echoed the wish.

The two girls made plans to be baptized in March, but because of the sudden closures due to COVID-19, their baptism was postponed until November, when they were finally able to share their big day together.

“We were thinking that we know Jesus pretty well now and that we should get to know him better and get baptized — to have that experience together,” one of the nine-year-old girls said. “I got a little nervous about it being cold, but I was excited that we got to do this together.”

When the time came to publicly declare their faith, one of their mothers asked if it was alright to let the girls baptize one another. The request was approved, and the girls were thrilled. Not only were they able to share in this life changing experience, they were able to baptize each other.

“It was great,” one of the moms said. “There were a lot of tears.” Those tears of joy were very fitting as the families shared in their excitement and joy for their daughters' baptisms.

“I hope a lot of people will be inspired and be comfortable to get baptized,” one of the girls said. “We were definitely proud of each other. Anyone can obey God, and best friends can go through [baptism] together.”

Even though KSG has been continuing remotely, the girls enjoy joining in virtually, where they are able to play games, have fun, and learn more about Jesus.

Many people have been dealing with fear and anxiety during these unprecedented times. At the start of this global pandemic, Saddleback launched Celebrate Recovery Crisis Response groups so people could have a safe and confidential place to express themselves and work through unhealthy habits or feelings brought on by the pandemic.

While these groups have been meeting virtually for the past several weeks, Celebrate Recovery (CR) Lake Forest recently had an opportunity to host a drive-thru chip event so members could celebrate their sobriety from hurts, hang-ups, and habits in person while social distancing. Roughly 30 CR leaders showed up to serve at the event.

There was a gauntlet of cars that honked for every person who came to get a chip. Many of the people who came held up signs with the length of their recovery on it. Some were celebrating days or months of sobriety while others celebrated years of freedom from past addictions. There was even someone who came and took a “newcomer” chip, symbolizing a step out of denial and the start toward a recovery journey.

One CR leader named Blake received his five-year chip at the event —— he marked five years of sobriety just days before stay-at-home orders were issued. He said it has been a huge blessing to continue meeting virtually during the pandemic. But being able to fellowship in person, even at a distance, was overwhelming.

“Turning the corner into the parking lot and seeing everyone there was like turning a corner into a parking lot of love,” he said. “It felt like a parade, and it was a way to publicly acknowledge all of the changes God has made in my life.”

Saddleback has been meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of tens of thousands of people throughout this pandemic, thanks to all of the volunteers who show up day after day to serve God by serving others at our grocery distribution events.

Our church wants people to leave these events with more than just a trunk full of food. We also want them to leave with a renewed hope and faith in God. Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, thousands of people have started a relationship with Jesus at our grocery distribution events, because so many volunteers have stepped outside of their comfort zone and joined our evangelism teams.

One volunteer who has made a tremendous impact for God during this difficult season of life is named Emi. At the beginning of the pandemic, Emi was ready to move back to her home country of Argentina, but was unable to do so due to travel restrictions. She ultimately decided to stay in Southern California and spend her days serving at Saddleback grocery distribution events.

At first, Emi served behind the scenes but was asked to use her Spanish-speaking skills to share the gospel at one of our events. She was very nervous, so she prayed that God would use her and give her the right words so she could spread his love. God answered Emi's prayer, and by the end of the day she had led one person to Christ.

“It felt so great, I can't even describe it,” she said.

It quickly became clear to Emi that God wanted her to stay in Southern California for a reason. She felt a calling on her life to continue sharing Jesus at our grocery distribution events. As a result, she has helped 418 people start a relationship with Jesus over the past three months.

“It is not me, it's all God,” she said. “I couldn't do this by myself.”