During June 1933, Branham held revival meetings in his tent.[4] On June 2 that year, the Jeffersonville Evening News said the Branham campaign reported 14 converts.[17] His followers believed his ministry was accompanied by miraculous signs from its beginning, and that when he was baptizing converts on June 11, 1933, in the Ohio River near Jeffersonville, a bright light descended over him and that he heard a voice say, "As John the Baptist was sent to forerun the first coming of Jesus Christ, so your message will forerun His second coming".[18][19] Belief in the baptismal story is a critical element of faith among Branham's followers.[20] Branham initially interpreted this in reference to the restoration of the gifts of the spirit to the church and made regular references to the baptismal story from the earliest days of the healing revival.[21] In later years, Branham also connected the story to his teaching ministry.[22] Baptist historian Doug Weaver said Branham might have embellished the baptismal story when he was achieving success in the healing revival.[23]