Southern Baptist Convention reports rise in adult baptisms

Baptisms within Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) congregations have increased for the fifth consecutive year, reaching a total of 263,075 in 2025. This marks the highest baptism total since 2016 and the first time in 75 years that the SBC has seen five years of continuous growth.

Data from the 2025 Annual Church Profile, analyzed by Lifeway Research, reveals a significant demographic shift in those being baptized. Adults aged 30 and older now account for 33 percent of all baptisms, representing the largest share among all age groups. This contrasts sharply with 1971, when children aged 11 and younger made up 37 percent of baptisms.

While the share of adults has steadily climbed—surpassing young adults in 1985, youth in 1990, and children in 2014—the number of children being baptized has seen a recent decline, dropping from 30 percent in 2022 to 22 percent in 2025. Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, noted that while minors once composed two-thirds of baptisms, the majority are now aged 18 or older.