Liberty Rising – the Dawning of Freedom

Posted on October 30, 2020February 13, 2022 by Dr. Meri Crouley

We are at a time in History where the battle lines have been drawn. It is the “Moment of Truth”. We are at a transition where the very life and heart of the culture is at stake. With the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic which happened at the beginning of 2020 the nation reeled. But there were those of us who only stood up and spoke up!

In prayer one morning, I heard the voice of God speak to me and say, “COVID 19 means Christ Overcoming Victory in Disease – Psalms 19”. I was able to share this on NBC and BBC:

Religious Group Defies California Public Health Order

I had been at a baptism which some friends of mine were hosting called Saturate OC. The BBC had come out and were interviewing people about the event. I was able to share this clip in front of millions around the world.

The mainstream news media has been one of the biggest proponents of fear. They are part of the swamp! God is draining the swamp and we are at the beginning of a renaissance in media! We cannot be afraid to speak up at this time in history!

In May 2020, I again heard God speak to me when I awoke. These words have been part of my life for the last several months!

WE WON’T SHUT UP – UNTIL YOU OPEN UP!
OPEN THE HEAVENS!!

A Mandate for Seven Baptisms

The 1st Baptism – Corona del Mar

I was then given the mandate to do seven baptisms along the western seaboard of the United States. I was told to do the first baptism on May 30, 2020 at Pirate’s Cove in Corona Del Mar, CA. That date just so happened to be the Feast of Pentecost. It was an amazing day! When we arrived at Pirate’s Cove at 9:00 a.m. we saw an unusual phenomenon of a rainbow around the sun.

We had dozens of people who came out to worship and be baptized! God did indeed Open the Heavens!

But the real interesting thing was that it was fifty years ago in 1970 that Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel and Hippie preacher, Lonnie Frisbee started the first baptisms.

The Jesus Movement Baptisms

Eventually there were thousands of people attending these baptisms and Time Magazine started covering these events and termed it “The Jesus Movement”. A Movement had begun and millions around the world would become part of that wave!

The 2nd Baptism – San Diego

The 2nd Baptism was held in San Diego on Father’s Day weekend, June 20, 2020 at Buccaneer Beach. There were many who attended and we felt the Father’s love on that beach!

The 3rd Baptism – Venice Beach

The 3rd Baptism was at Venice Beach, CA and Pastor Derrick Gates, and many other Pastors and their congregants attended. We worshipped the Lord and were told by a local official to not sing. We pointed out that there were people all over the Beach doing similar things and they were not told to stop. We said that we were willing to be arrested if need be. But we were not going to SHUT UP – UNTIL THE HEAVEN OPENS UP! We took a stand.

The 4th Baptism – Santa Monica

The 4th Baptism was in Santa Monica Beach at Lifeguard stand 25 on Saturday, September 19, 2020. That date just so happened to fall on another Jewish Feast – Rosh Hashanah. This Feast is the Jewish New Year! The significant thing about this date is that 24 years ago on Friday, September 13, 1996, I did the very first Youthwave Concert. Over 5,000 kids showed up and 500 gave their hearts to the Lord! God told me that there was going to be a “Greater Move of God than the Jesus Movement” and I was told to call this event “Youthwave” and the slogan was “Be a part of the New Wave!” It was historical that the 4th baptism was on the same day I did the first Youthwave concert 24 years earlier! Wow!

The 5th Baptism – San Francisco

The 5th Baptism was on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at Baker Beach in San Francisco overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. When we arrived that morning at Baker Beach there were dozens of people worshipping Jesus on the sand. There were many people who came and were baptized in the Pacific Ocean overlooking the fabulous Golden Gate Bridge. It was a sight to behold! But another amazing fact is that it was on another Jewish Feast – the Feast of Tabernacles. Also, Pastor Chuck Smith had graduated to Heaven seven years prior on October 3, 2013. You can’t make this stuff up folks! God is planning the “Greatest Show on Earth”.

On October 12, 2020 as I was walking the shores of Laguna Beach, CA, I heard God speak and say to me, “You need to finish the last two baptisms in Seattle and Vancouver B.C. You need to do it before the US Presidential elections.” I was stunned!

I had less than two weeks to plan this and facilitate these baptisms in order to be obedient to the directives of God!

I immediately went into action and everything fell into place. I’m actually writing this blog from my hotel room in Washington State. This past weekend we just completed the last two baptisms in Seattle and Vancouver B.C.

The 6th Baptism – Seattle

On Saturday, October 24, 2020 there were fourteen people who came to Lincoln Park in Seattle for the 6th baptism. We walked down to the Puget Sound, an inlet of the Pacific Ocean, and worshipped Jesus with flags and shofars. God brought out the sun that day and we had an amazing time. Something shifted in the atmosphere and the “Gates of Heaven were opened”.

The 7th and Final Baptism – Vancouver, B.C.

The 7th and final baptism happened on Sunday, October 25, 2020 on White Rock Beach in Vancouver B.C. at 12:00 noon. The borders of Canada are closed to Americans, so I facilitated a simulcast where we did a split screen on Facebook Live and the world got to see two nations coming together as one. Rev. Dr. Ed Hird helped facilitate this along with Harvest City Church members Dan Smith, Joyce Johnson, Janina and Eli and several others. We all came together as a Dream Team.

https://www.facebook.com/meri.crouley/videos/10224906270987900

Open the Heavens – Vancouver Baptism
Meri Crouley was Live

I have been to Vancouver B.C. and have spoken at Harvest City Church several times. We honored the late Pastor George Johnson at this event as well. He passed away in December of 2019 of cancer at 77 years old. It would have been his 78th birthday on the date of our 7th baptism. God had told me that this 7th baptism was going to be the “CROWNING MOMENT”. That Canada was going to “Crown” America.

This last baptism was “off the charts” amazing. Again, the moment we showed up the sun broke through. It was a crisp 48 degrees but it was a beautiful sunny day. We opened up on Facebook Live with Rev. Ed Hird on the Canadian side on the Bay and Meri Crouley on the American side. You could literally see the famous White Rock where they were going to be doing the baptisms. We started with 20 minutes of worship and then we honored late Pastor George Johnson. Finally, there were two brothers, Aidan and Micah who were baptized by Rev. Ed Hird. I believe that this was symbolic of God releasing a double-portion anointing to the youth for a “Greater Move of God than the Jesus Movement” which is happening NOW!

At the conclusion of the “Open the Heavens” final baptism there were several shofars which were blown on both sides! We all shouted in unison “OPEN THE HEAVENS!” Something shifted in the atmosphere and I know that God “Showed Up and Showed Off”. God sent His mighty Angelic Hosts into the region and cleaned up!

We are at the moment in History of “The Greatest Show on Earth”. The Greatest Revival in History is about ready to break out on the scene. No matter what it looks like – WE MUST BELIEVE. It always looks the darkest before the dawn. Don’t be distracted by the lies of the enemy.

God is going to use the media now to “Show up and Show Off”.

God will orchestrate this move and we will see miraculous signs and wonders in the Heavens.
This Presidential election will be one of the most important races in History. You need to look at the platform both men are running on and it won’t be hard to decide. Trump is pro-life; Biden believes in abortion up until birth. On that one issue alone it is not even a choice if you’re a Christian who you should vote for.

400-Year Anniversary of the Mayflower Compact and Founding of America

Our country is coming up to the 400 year anniversary of the Mayflower compact and the founding of America. On September 16, 1620, the ship called Mayflower set sail for Plymouth – on board were more than 100 passengers all hoping to start a new life in America! These early settlers would become known as Pilgrims, and their arrival in North America would shape the history of the nation for generations.

These passengers were divided into groups known as the ‘Saints’ and ‘Strangers’. The Saints were also known as ‘Separatists’ or ‘Puritans’, a group of people who wanted to live a life free from the Church of England (which had grown very corrupt) to start a new church in America.

Life on the ship was extremely difficult with people crammed together like sardines. Eventually, after a difficult two months, the Mayflower made it to America.

Before going ashore, Pilgrim leaders drafted something called, “The Mayflower Compact” to avoid arguments and fighting. Signed by 41 men on board, the compact was an agreement to cooperate for the general good of the colony. The pilgrims would deal with issues by voting, establish laws with decisions made democratically by the majority. God was establishing a group of Christians who wanted to have a fair community established through justice and equality.

And so in closing this blog, I want to remind you that America was established upon Freedom – not tyranny. We are at the Dawning of a new time of liberty and freedom for our nation.

Use Your Freedom – Go Out and Vote

So please use your freedom and go out and vote. And vote for the candidate whose principles reflect the Godly heritage of what our nation was founded on. “In God we Trust” is on our money.

We don’t want socialism but Freedom. We want community not communism.

It was in St. John’s Church in Richmond, Virginia, that Patrick Henry delivered his most famous speech. With war against Great Britain looming, Henry proclaimed, “I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

If we don’t stand for something we will fall for anything! The words which I heard back in May are sounding loudly in my ears, “We won’t shut up – until you open up! OPEN THE HEAVENS!

II Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways. Then I will hear from Heaven and heal their land.

It’s time again for our nation to become:

One nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all!
God bless America!

Dr. Meri Crouley

Lonnie Frisbee, ‘Hippie Preacher’ by Kari Browning

Posted on January 2, 2012July 28, 2021 by Dr. Meri Crouley

I wish I could have met Lonnie Frisbee in person. He died at the age of 43 on March 12, 1993.

Lonnie was known as the “hippie preacher” and was a catalyst for the “Jesus Movement” that began in the 1960’s. Lonnie led thousands to the Lord and was the spark that ignited revival in both the Calvary Chapel and Vineyard movements, two worldwide denominations.

During the 60’s and 70’s, the country was being greatly impacted by the Jesus Movement. Lonnie would walk the beaches during the day and convert the young people and bring them back to the church for the nightly services. Frisbee’s appearance helped appeal to hippies and the youth culture, and Frisbee believed that the young people would play a prominent role in the Christian movement in the United States.

Acts 2:17-18 “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.”

His ministry influenced many, including Dr. James Maloney and Shawn Bolz who will be speaking at our upcoming “The Fullness of Time” conference. They both were exposed to the raw power of God in Lonnie’s meetings and were forever changed.

Lonnie led Greg Laurie to the Lord in 1970. Greg is the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, one of the largest churches in the United States.

In Greg’s Own Words:

“A young man named Lonnie Frisbee stood up with a Bible in his hand. He was a youth pastor with Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa where the Jesus movement was in full swing. With his shoulder-length hair and beard, he almost looked the way I had seen Jesus depicted in paintings and in the movies. He opened the Bible and began to speak. Although I listened to what he said that day, I don’t remember many of his comments except for one statement: Jesus said, ‘You are either for Me or against Me.’ What side are you on?

That really struck me. Never before had I heard that faith in Christ was an either or deal. Jesus was just this wonderful historical figure who lived a long time ago, did a lot of good turns, and taught brotherly love. As a teenager, I thought that was cool. But for the first time, I had heard that it was actually possible to know Him in a personal way. It seemed too good to be true. I looked over at these Christians, all sitting cross-legged in a circle, and thought, undoubtedly, they are for Him. Knowing I was not one of them, it dawned on me that this must mean I was against Him.

This impassioned preacher told the group that anyone who wanted to know Jesus in a personal way should get up and walk forward. I found myself standing with a handful of other brave souls, praying with the long-haired minister to receive Jesus Christ into my heart and life.”

Jesus Freaks

“Jesus Freaks,” as they were often called, began to be featured in major magazines such as Life, Newsweek, and Rolling Stone. Lonnie, because of his prominence in the movement, was frequently photographed and interviewed.

On Mother’s Day 1980, Lonnie was invited by John Wimber to speak at his Yorba Linda Calvary Chapel church. After speaking, Lonnie invited all the young people 25 and under to come forward. Shawn Bolz was 8 years old at the time and was in that service. Lonnie said these now famous words, “the Church has for years grieved the Holy Spirit, but He’s getting over it! Come Holy Spirit!” Hundreds were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to shake and speak in tongues. Chairs were falling over and the young people were falling on top of the chairs. Everyone was in shock, including John Wimber.

That night, John Wimber could not sleep. He stayed up with books on church history and past revivals. He was praying, seeking the Lord for answers, and trying to understand what had taken place in his church. About 5 am, he received a phone call from Tom Stipe who was a Calvary Chapel pastor in Denver. Tom said, “I don’t know what’s going on there, John, but the Lord woke me and told me to call you and tell you that it’s Him. Does that make any sense?”

The young kids, many in Junior High and High School, were so “filled with the Spirit” that they soon started baptizing friends in hot tubs and swimming pools around town. The church catapulted in growth over the next few months and the event is credited with launching the Vineyard Movement. Lonnie began to travel with John Wimber to many nations and they taught on the Kingdom of God and equipped others in power evangelism and signs and wonders.

I was greatly influenced by John Wimber and the Vineyard movement in the early 90’s and attended conferences at the Anaheim Vineyard. I am very grateful for the equipping I received and John’s message that “we can all do the stuff.”

Both Lonnie Frisbee and John Wimber have gone to be with the Lord; Lonnie in 1993, and John in 1997. On November 17, 2003, I had a strange dream where John Wimber’s secretary called me and told me that John was going to come “the weekend before the Dews come.” When I awoke from that dream, I realized the weekend that Bill and Carol Dew were scheduled to speak at our church was the last weekend in February 2004. The weekend before that was the weekend of February 22 (2-22).

After I had that dream, I picked up a book on John Wimber’s life entitled The Way it Was. I was shocked and amazed to learn that he died on the same date that I had the dream, November 17th. That really got my attention!

Dreams

God speaks in parabolic language and dream language is often symbolic. I felt that the date 2/22 was important in understanding the message of the dream. I felt it had to do with Isaiah 22:22: “I will place on His shoulder the key to the house of David; what He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.”

On February 25, 2009, Shawn Bolz had a dream about breakthrough coming to California. In the dream, he was given 22 stakes, and on 11 of them he painted the word “Breakthrough” and also painted images of keys and crowns. When he awoke from the dream, he felt that the 22 stakes represented Isaiah 22:22.

In the dream, he went to 11 regions and presented a stake to different pastors/ministry leaders throughout California – to stake the land out for breakthrough to happen. He felt it had to do with Isaiah 11:11 that states the following: “in that day the Lord will reach out His hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of His people…” God is going to reclaim His purpose in California one more time!

One of the names of God in Hebrew is Baal-Perazim which means “Master of the Breakthrough.”

After Shawn had the dream, he found out that there is a plaque in the center of Los Angeles that states 11 men, 11 women, and 22 children came to pioneer the great City of Angels!

I remembered reading in Lou Engle’s book “Digging the Wells of Revival” that Lou had gone to the place where the Azusa Street Revival of 1906 began. He, and a group of intercessors, drove a stake into the ground, declaring that the Azusa Revival well in Los Angeles would break forth again. When Lou got back in his car, the clock read 2:22 pm. He thought of Isaiah 22:22 and realized that God had given him the key to open that well.

When Shawn told me the dream, I remembered that John Wimber’s birthday was February 25th, the date Shawn had the dream. John Wimber and Lonnie Frisbee both ministered in the Los Angeles area and it was the epicenter of the Jesus Movement.

God is Looking for History Makers

I believe that God is looking for candidates in this generation who will imitate the faith of John Wimber and Lonnie Frisbee and become history makers. He uses ordinary men and women who are surrendered to Him to spark revival and change the world.

Meri Crouley is currently working on a major feature film of Lonnie Frisbee’s life story. She will be showing the trailer from the film and sharing about the project at an added session at “The Fullness of Time” conference.

Lonnie’s art teacher, Barbara Irvine (who Lonnie led to the Lord), will be painting at the conference. Lonnie lived with Barbara and her husband at one time and commissioned her into the ministry.

I have a sense that both John Wimber and Lonnie Frisbee are cheering us on from the cloud of witnesses as we continue in their footsteps and contend for historic revival.

Kari Browning

Tag: Baptisms