17,000 Baptized in Historic Worldwide Event: ‘Saying Yes to Jesus’ – Michael Foust
More than 17,000 people in 49 countries were baptized on Pentecost Sunday as part of a global “Baptize the World” movement that united churches across six continents in what organizers described as one of the largest coordinated baptism efforts in recent history.
Baptize the World recorded 17,910 baptisms involving more than 1,600 churches in 49 countries and all 50 U.S. states, with the total continuing to grow as additional reports are received.
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A gathering at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., served as the focal point for the May 24 global event, featuring worship, personal testimonies, and live updates from participating churches around the world. Attendees watched baptisms take place across multiple nations as believers publicly professed their faith.
Baptize the World grew out of a movement led by Pastor Mark Francey of Oceans Church in California, whose previous initiatives – Baptize SoCal, Baptize California, and Baptize America – drew thousands of participants.
“This was never about one event or one location,” Francey said. “This was about the body of Christ coming together around the world to lift up the name of Jesus and publicly declare new life through baptism.”
He added, “From Washington, D.C., to nations around the world, we witnessed people saying yes to Jesus in a way that was visible, powerful, and deeply personal.”
Francey launched the movement after sensing about four years ago that God was calling him to organize a large-scale baptism event. Like its predecessors, Baptize the World was a multi-denominational effort that united churches around the public declaration of faith through baptism.
The movement began with more than 4,000 baptisms at Baptize SoCal in 2023 and grew to roughly 12,000 baptisms during Baptize California in 2024, held simultaneously in churches across the state and along the Huntington Beach shoreline.
“Psalms 133 says that where God’s people are in unity, God commands a blessing,” Francey previously told Crosswalk Headlines. “And so interdenominationally, from one side of the church world to the other side, we have some of the great Baptist churches, evangelical churches, Pentecostal churches, all linking arms together around one of the major creeds of the faith.”
Organizers received video updates and baptism reports from nations across the world, including Australia, Uganda, Pakistan, South Korea, Brazil, Romania, Switzerland, the Philippines, and Canada.
“Among the stories emerging from the global movement were baptisms in Tajikistan, where Christians make up less than 1% of the population, and in Equatorial Guinea, where nine siblings were baptized together,” a Baptize the World report said. “Organizers said additional stories from international churches are continuing to come in as more nations and churches report baptisms.”
Daystar Television broadcast the event. A special Baptize the World presentation will air on Daystar on June 2 at noon, 9 p.m., and 1 a.m. Eastern.
The next Baptize the World will be held on May 16, 2027.
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Photo Credit: ©Facebook / Baptize the World
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael’s Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published June 02, 2026.
