More than 40 Baptized During Christ-Focused Boot Camp at Abilene Christian University
More than 40 baptisms were performed at Abilene Christian University's football team’s Christ-focused boot camp last month.
The baptisms included 42 members of the team – 40 current players, one former player and one assistant coach during the two-day intensive event held on July 24 and 25, ACU Sports reported.
"It will be two days that I'll never forget," said quarterback Marcos Davila, who was one of the players baptized on campus at the sculpture known as Jacob's Dream.
“Probably my best two days I've ever had in my life, and it was very impactful for me."
During a worship service at Moody Coliseum on Saturday night, 41 players in attendance raised their arms after they were asked if anyone wanted to get baptized. An additional baptism was held at Beltway Park's Sunday service the following morning.
A short video posted on Instagram shows several student-athletes being baptized during last month's event. A second video shows a handful of the speakers addressing the young men, talking to them about Christ and living for Him.
"I heard like a million yeses in my head, and that was really cool for me," said Davila. "I raised my hand instantly."
"At first, I wasn't going to do it. Then I just felt the presence of each one of my brothers getting baptized and giving their life to the Lord," said linebacker Bryce Morton, who is starting his fourth season with the Wildcats. "I started tearing up a little bit seeing everyone getting baptized. It made me say, 'I'll give my life to Christ.' He deserves it. He blessed me in this position. He's changed my life, and I can say the same thing for my brothers on this team."
While 40 of the people baptized are current players, more than half of those young men - 21 - are in their first year at the Texas university. Additionally, of the 21 student-athletes who took a massive step in their faith journey and relationship with Christ, 12 have been on campus only since early summer.
The boot camp was launched by former ACU head football coach Chris Thomsen and is named “Camp T” in his honor, the school reported.
This year’s camp featured the Beltway Park Church men's ministry, which assisted the ACU football staff in leading players in worship, lessons and small-group discussions.
"I was getting super close with Him, going to Bible studies, and I kind of fell off. I wasn't fully trusting in Him. This weekend, I just literally flipped the switch on my whole mindset on everything," said Davila.
The small groups, which were called “Fire Teams,” each had a very specific composition. According to the school, the groups consisted of approximately five to eight players, plus one or two volunteers, either from Beltway or the surrounding community, who served as mentors to the student-athletes.
"I had two great leaders for my Fire Team – Mr. Zellner and Nick Anthony, our team chiropractor," Morton said. "They really allowed me to be comfortable and vulnerable around those guys. That's what made the difference for me."
"I thought we were just going to have regular conversations, but my group really got to me, and really opened my eyes," running back Makenzie McGill said. "I've been holding onto a lot of hatred, and it was holding me back. I don't have to feel that way. I can always go to him if I do feel that way and trust in him. The guys from [Beltway Park] really helped me, and I feel really blessed by them."
Photo Credit: @Instagram.com/Beltwayparkmen
Originally published August 10, 2026.
