Biltmore Church records 458 baptisms in a single day, a 137-year record

Biltmore Church, a multi-site congregation in North Carolina, baptized 458 people in one day during its annual outdoor baptism service. This figure represents the highest number of daily baptisms in the church's 137-year history since its founding in 1889. The event took place on a private lake in Fletcher, in the western part of the state. Approximately 4,000 people gathered at the venue to witness the ceremony.

Devin Goines, a pastor at Biltmore Church, described the event as a deeply humbling experience for the congregation. He stated that baptism signifies a life being transformed and God at work. Goines emphasized that the church is constantly reminded that God invites people into His story, rather than people inviting God into their own. The church holds baptism services almost every week during Sunday morning worship. However, once a year, believers from all locations gather to celebrate those who accept salvation through Jesus Christ and take the next step as disciples.

Some of the 458 individuals baptized traveled from New York by car to reach Fletcher for the ceremony. People using wheelchairs also participated, entering the lake with assistance to receive baptism. In several cases, a child's decision to be baptized prompted their parents or relatives to be baptized as well. Goines noted that the church's role as disciples and disciple-makers is to walk with those who are walking with Jesus, helping them to continue taking the next steps in their faith.

The previous record for daily baptisms at Biltmore Church was 389, set during last year's outdoor baptism service. In 2023, 279 people were baptized during the outdoor event. The annual number of baptisms was 686 last year. As of September this year, the count has already reached 636, and the church expects to surpass 700 by the end of the year.

Biltmore Church traces its origins to Fernhill Baptist Church, which was founded in 1889 in Asheville, North Carolina, by 25 members. The congregation began multi-site ministry in the 2010s and currently operates seven locations. Weekly worship attendance across all sites exceeds 10,000 people.