2,552 People Baptized in the Atlantic Ocean at Jacksonville Church Event
The Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Florida, baptized 2,552 people in the Atlantic Ocean on May 17, 2026, drawing more than 14,000 attendees to Hanna Park. The event marked the largest single-day baptism in the church's 14-year history.
The Church of Eleven22 held its annual Beach Baptism on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Hanna Park in Jacksonville, Florida. By the end of the day, 2,552 people had been baptized in the Atlantic Ocean, the most in the church's history.
More than 14,000 people attended. The crowd was large enough that the church required all participants to use offsite parking at locations including the Mayo Clinic, FSCJ South Campus, and the University of North Florida, with free shuttle service running throughout the day.
Pastor Joby Martin, who founded the church in 2012, said the Spirit of God is on the move. He described baptism as an outward sign of an inward spiritual reality, not the act of salvation itself.
The numbers have grown each year. In 2023, the church baptized 1,126 people. That rose to 1,614 in 2024 and 1,958 in 2025. This year's total of 2,552 represents a 30 percent increase over last year.
One moment stood out to church leaders: the last person baptized was one of the shuttle bus drivers hired to transport attendees to the beach. Church staff described it as an unexpected and fitting end to the day.
The Church of Eleven22 was founded in 2012 and has grown into one of the largest churches in northeast Florida. Its annual beach baptism has become a signature event, drawing participants from across the region.
