Sins sink beneath baptism waves

More than 2,500 people have been baptised in the Atlantic Ocean during a huge public celebration of faith.

Led by The Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Florida, 2,552 people were baptised at Hanna Park.

More than 14,000 friends, relatives and supporters gathered on the beach.

Pastor Joby Martin declared: “The church is alive and well, the Spirit of God is on the move, and the gospel of Jesus Christ is still changing lives today.”

The church stressed the importance that baptism has for those who profess faith in Jesus Christ.

It said on social media: “2,552 times we heard someone renounce the sins of their past, pledge allegiance to Christ, and proclaim out loud for the whole world to hear that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Saviour! There is truly nothing better than that!”

Leaders also described an emotional final moment when one of the shuttle bus drivers decided to be baptised too, adding: “Only God could write a story like that.”

The mass baptism is the latest in a growing wave of large public faith events across America.

The same church baptised nearly 2,000 people last year.

Pastor Joby Martin said, “The church is alive and well, the Spirit of God is on the move, and the gospel of Jesus Christ is still changing lives today.”

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