TV host and actor Mario Lopez proudly made a confession of his Christian faith when he was baptized in the Jordan River. On a recent trip to Israel, the former “Saved by the Bell” star decided to be submerged in the same sacred waters where Jesus was baptized.
While Lopez has been a devout Catholic for a while now, he admits the wisdom that comes with age and the unpredictability of his industry have recently launched him into a deeper relationship with God.
“I think as I’ve gotten older, I’ve just tried to build a more spiritual muscle in a business that is very unpredictable,” Lopez told Fox News. “It’s nice to have something that is consistent in our life—family and faith is that for me.”
The 44-year-old documented his baptism and other various experiences during his “bucket-list” tour of the Holy Land on social media.
“This is where Jesus walked on water,” he shared in an Instagram video while standing by the Sea of Galilee. “And the River Jordan runs into the sea, and that’s where, of course, Jesus got baptized, which I’m gonna be doing!”
“We are at the Jordan River where John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ,” the white-robed actor said moments before his baptism. “It’s a beautiful day. There’s a really cool Catholic priest that’s gonna do me the honors. And there’s a sermon going on right now. So I’m going to join these fine folks.”
Got baptized in the same river Jesus did…#JordanRiver #Jesus #JohnTheBaptist pic.twitter.com/WIuPtqEk9b
— Mario Lopez (@MarioLopezExtra) March 22, 2018
Just days before Christ-followers around the world would celebrate the Resurrection on Easter Sunday, Lopez publicly proclaimed his allegiance to the Savior who died so that he may truly live.
The priests positioned on either side of him asked Lopez about his faith prior to performing the Sacrament:
“Do you believe in Jesus Christ?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Do you believe he is the Son of God?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Do you intend to serve him all your life?”
“Yes, I do.”
After the actor resurfaced from the water, the surrounding tourists burst into a joyful rendition of “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus,” followed by other hymns of praise.
“Thank you! Beautiful people here, helping me, thank you,” said a beaming Lopez as he exited the river. “This is awesome! Wow! Just got baptized in the Jordan River. Hallelujah!”
Watch the powerful moment unfold in the video clip below:
Spiritual moment…#Baptized #JordanRiver #Catholic pic.twitter.com/d2dNGyCAUQ
— Mario Lopez (@MarioLopezExtra) March 22, 2018