Adult baptisms increase in Germany as overall numbers continue to decline

Adults accounted for more than half of SBC baptisms last year, analysis finds

A majority of the over 263,000 baptisms that occurred in Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) churches last year were of adults, according to a new analysis from Lifeway Research.

Adult baptisms increase in Germany as overall numbers continue to decline

The German bishops’ conference has said there has been a substantial increase in adult baptisms, while baptisms overall have declined. The conference released statistics last week showing that in 2025, 2,650 adults and young adults aged 14 and over were baptized, a 28% increase from 2024. However, overall there were 109,002 baptisms in 2025, a decrease from 116,274 in 2024. Other European countries have seen an increase in adult baptisms, too. I…

Adults account for most baptisms in SBC congregations

By Aaron Earls BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — As baptisms in Southern Baptist congregations increase, a growing percentage of those entering the baptismal pools are adults. In the 2025 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Church Profile (ACP), baptisms grew for the fifth straight year to reach 263,075, the highest total since 2016. This was the first time in 75 years