Baja Ocean Baptism.
Liz's Baptism Story
Sometimes, the most life-changing moments begin with a simple “yes.” For Liz Turner, it started with a connection to Eastside Church—one rooted in her husband’s childhood memories of attending Eastside Christian School in Fullerton. That connection planted a seed of curiosity, one that would eventually grow into a profound faith journey marked by compassion, service, and spiritual renewal.
What began as an interest in her husband’s former church soon blossomed into much more. Liz began attending services and learned about Eastside’s heart for global impact through their Compassion partnerships. Inspired by the church’s mission to serve both locally and globally, Liz signed up for a Global Compassion trip to Baja, Mexico—something she now describes as “life-changing.”
On the trip, the team worked together to build a home for a local family and began constructing a playground for the community. But what was being built during that week wasn’t just physical—it was spiritual. Relationships were forming, walls were coming down, and God was moving. For Liz, it was on this dusty, joy-filled, purpose-driven trip that her heart was stirred in a new way.
“I had been baptized when I was younger,” Liz shares, “but I wasn’t fully surrendered back then. I wasn’t truly walking with God.” Something had shifted. She began to sense that God was inviting her to rededicate her life—to take a new step of faith. And this time, it would be in the ocean.
The conversation around baptism actually started during the car ride to Baja. Liz carpooled with a family who hadn’t been baptized yet, and as they talked, they dreamed aloud about what it might be like to make that decision together. “Wouldn’t it be amazing to be baptized in the ocean?” Liz said, not knowing just how soon that dream would become a reality.
During a night of worship on the trip, Irvine Campus Pastor Brendan shared that he felt God speaking to him—prompting him to invite a group of people to be baptized. “I believe there are seven people God is calling to take this step,” he said. Liz immediately felt a tug in her spirit. She knew she was one of them. Incredibly, the family she had carpooled with also said yes to baptism, along with others, and the number of those who stepped forward matched exactly what Brendan had sensed. “It felt like God was speaking directly to us,” Liz recalls.
The next day, they headed to the beach. Surrounded by teammates, new friends, and even children from a local orphanage who had joined them for the day, Liz and the others were baptized in the ocean. It was a powerful, joy-filled moment—a public declaration of faith, renewal, and surrender.
And just when it seemed like the moment couldn’t be more special, something unforgettable happened.
“A pod of dolphins swam by,” Liz says with a smile. “It was like God was putting an exclamation point on the whole experience.”
That day on the beach became a turning point for Liz. Her faith deepened, and her commitment to serving others grew even stronger. She returned home not only with memories but with renewed purpose.
“I came back to Eastside because it felt like home—a spiritual home,” she says. “The values of compassion, service, and community resonate so deeply with me. I wanted to be part of something that’s making a difference.”
And she is. Today, Liz serves as a worship leader and a small group leader for Kidside at the Anaheim campus, guiding second and third graders as they grow in their own faith journeys. Her life is a reflection of the very heartbeat of Eastside: to be people who pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion.
But perhaps the most powerful part of her story is this: it all started with one decision. One “yes.” One step toward something unfamiliar led to something unforgettable.
“A pod of dolphins swam by,” Liz says with a smile. “It was like God was putting an exclamation point on the whole experience.”
What About You?
Maybe you’ve felt the tug, too.
Maybe you’ve been exploring faith or attending Eastside for a while. Maybe something inside you is saying it’s time to step into a new season. Maybe you’ve never been baptized, and you’re wondering if now is the time.
It is.
This Easter Weekend, you have the opportunity to say yes—to baptism, to faith, to something more. Whether it’s your first step or a fresh one, we want to walk with you.
And if you’ve been feeling the nudge to serve, to get out of your comfort zone, or to live out your faith in a tangible way, our next Baja trip is right around the corner. You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to be willing.
Take Your Next Step
Let Liz’s story be your invitation: God is already pursuing you. Maybe your yes is what’s next.
👉 Ready? Sign up for the next baptism
There’s no better time than Easter. Click below to learn more and sign up.
👉 Interested? Join the next Baja trip
Come build hope and community—while discovering more of who God made you to be.