'Life Returns to Their Eyes': 115 Baptised in Two Florida Jails
Seventy inmates at Walton County Jail and 45 at Okaloosa were baptised this summer — and none of the 70 has since faced a disciplinary action
The short answer
According to CBN News, 70 inmates were baptised at Walton County Jail in DeFuniak Springs, Florida in July and 45 at Okaloosa County Jail in August, through Bible studies and prayer meetings led by volunteer chaplain Rev. Jonathan King of First Apostolic Church of DeFuniak Springs, in partnership with New Life Church of Santa Rosa. As of the report, none of the 70 baptised at Walton County had faced a disciplinary action.
Most of the baptism stories this season have come from beaches, campuses and church auditoriums. This one comes from a jail.
What Happened
At **Walton County Jail** in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, **70 inmates** were baptised in July. In August, **45 more** were baptised at **Okaloosa County Jail**. Sessions were capped at 28 people at a time.
"115 baptisms across two Florida jails — and among the 70 at Walton County, no disciplinary actions since. In a jail, changed behaviour is recorded, which makes this unusually concrete evidence of changed lives."
Click to copy and shareThe work is led by **Rev. Jonathan King**, a volunteer chaplain from First Apostolic Church of DeFuniak Springs, working with New Life Church of Santa Rosa, through weekly Bible studies and prayer meetings.
The Number That Matters Most
Among the 70 baptised at Walton County, there have been **no disciplinary actions** since, according to CBN News.
In a setting where behaviour is recorded and consequences are formal, that is about as concrete a measure of change as exists. It is the jailhouse version of the test Scripture always applies: not what was said at the water, but what happened afterwards.
How King Describes It
*"When we approach these men and women as people instead of just as inmates,"* King said, *"we're finding that God is doing the work in their lives."*
One man came to King's church the first Sunday after his release — and brought others with him.
Why This Belongs Beside the Campus Stories
The 2026 baptism wave has mostly been told through crowds. This is the same movement at its smallest and least visible: 28 people in a room, a chaplain who keeps coming back, and a change that shows up in a disciplinary log. It is also the hardest place to keep going after release, which is where local churches come in.
115 baptisms across two Florida jails — and among the 70 at Walton County, no disciplinary actions since. In a jail, changed behaviour is recorded, which makes this unusually concrete evidence of changed lives.
Biblical Perspective
Jesus named visiting prisoners among the works by which His followers would be known, and the early church was born partly in cells — Paul and Silas sang hymns at midnight in a Philippian jail, and the jailer and his household were baptised that same night.
"I was in prison and you came to visit me."
— Matthew 25:36 (NIV)
Pray With Us
Lord, thank You for the men and women baptised in Walton and Okaloosa County jails. Keep them through every day inside and every day after release. Bless Jonathan King and every volunteer who keeps going back. Give local churches open doors for those coming home. Amen.
Declarations to Speak
- ›No cell is beyond the reach of God!
- ›Changed lives show up in changed records!
- ›Churches will welcome those coming home!
Take Action
- 1Ask whether your church supports a local jail or prison ministry — and how to help.
- 2Pray for people leaving jail this month, for work, housing and a church family.
- 3If someone you know is inside, write to them this week.
"115 baptised in two Florida jails, and zero disciplinary actions among the first 70. Share this story from the least visible corner of the baptism wave."
Pray & Speak Life Over This Story
Don't just read — respond in faith. Click below to declare that you have prayed over this story and spoken life into it. Our prayers and words have power to change the world.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue." — Proverbs 18:21
Your Prayers & Words Have Power
Every time you pray over a story and speak life, you are partnering with Heaven to see God's Kingdom come on earth. When believers around the world agree in prayer, mountains move. Keep praying over these matters — your consistency in intercession is changing the world.
"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." — James 5:16
Prayer Is Powerful — So Is Action.
You've prayed. Now take it further. Join or start an outreach group in your area and take the love of Jesus to the streets. Every act of love, every meal shared, every prayer prayed in person is the Kingdom advancing in your community.
"Faith without works is dead." — James 2:26
Questions people are asking
How many inmates were baptised in the Florida jail revival?
+
According to CBN News, 70 inmates were baptised at Walton County Jail in July and 45 at Okaloosa County Jail in August — 115 in total.
Who leads the Walton County Jail ministry?
+
Rev. Jonathan King, a volunteer chaplain from First Apostolic Church of DeFuniak Springs, working in partnership with New Life Church of Santa Rosa.
Sources & further reading
About the Author
Daniel Ziedins
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Daniel Ziedins is the founder and editor-in-chief of Thy Kingdom News. A passionate believer with a heart for revival, missions, and seeing God's Kingdom advance across the earth, Daniel created this platform to report on what God is doing in the nations — the stories the mainstream media won't tell. He is also the creator of LoveOnTheWorldMap.com, a global initiative to map acts of God's love worldwide. Daniel believes that every testimony, every revival report, and every prayer answered is evidence that the Kingdom of God is here and advancing.
"I was in prison and you came to visit me."
Matthew 25:36 (NIV)
Get encouraging Kingdom news, testimonies, and prayer points weekly.
Related Stories
'A Sea of Children and Youth': Whitmire's Years of Prayer Met Their Weekend
Last week we reported that Whitmire, a South Carolina town of 1,400, had prayed for revival for years ahead of a weekend crusade. Here is what happened when it came.
Why Are So Many People Getting Baptised? The 2026 Baptism Wave, Explained
2,552 on a Florida beach. 458 in one North Carolina church. 17,900 across 49 countries in a single day. Here is what is driving the baptism wave, what baptism means, and how to tell if it lasts.
882 Baptisms in One Day at a Texas Church — the Largest Yet This Season
Lakepointe Church in Texas baptised 882 people on 27 September — up from nearly 700 last September, and after 2,772 first-time decisions at Easter.