Mistaken Florida Crews Respond to Baptism

TITUSVILLE, Fla. --

A Georgia minister's impromptu baptism in the Indian River Lagoon drew a response from rescue crews concerned about his well-being.

The minister, whose name was not available, said that God told him to baptize himself in the river, Titusville Assistant Police Chief John Lau told Local 6 News partner Florida Today.

Rescue crews checked his health after he emerged from the water shortly after 9 a.m.

The man was lucid and did not appear to want to harm himself, Lau said.

Police and firefighters were initially concerned because "especially this time of year, that river is not known for swimmers," Lau said.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.