Church of Eleven22 Baptizes 2,552 People in Atlantic Ocean at Annual Beach Event
The Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Florida baptized 2,552 people in the Atlantic Ocean on May 16-17, 2026. About 14,000 attendees gathered at Hanna Park for the annual event, which has grown each year since the church was founded in 2012. One shuttle bus driver decided to be baptized after watching the proceedings throughout the day.
The Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Florida held its annual beach baptism on May 16-17, 2026, and 2,552 people were baptized in the Atlantic Ocean at Hanna Park.
About 14,000 people attended the event, which has grown steadily since Pastor Joby Martin founded the church in 2012. The church baptized nearly 2,000 people in 2025 and over 1,600 in 2024.
One detail that spread widely on social media: a shuttle bus driver who had been ferrying attendees all day decided to be baptized himself after watching the event unfold. Church leaders described it as a moment "only God could write."
The church teaches that baptism is not what saves a person, but rather an outward sign of an inward spiritual reality, citing Romans 6:4. Aerial footage of the event was shared by Turning Point USA's Rapid Response team and covered by CBN News and Charisma Magazine.
The event drew national attention as part of a broader pattern of large-scale baptism events and revival gatherings reported across the United States in 2026. The Jesus Tent Revival movement, led by Dr. Braden Andersen, has also reported over 3,000 baptisms in the past 12 months across cities including Dallas, Memphis, Nashville, and Columbus.
Church of Eleven22 livestreamed the baptism event on its YouTube channel for those who could not attend in person.
