20 Rotherham churches unite for mass baptisms

On Sunday 12 July, 20 churches from across Rotherham and the surrounding area gathered at Manvers Lake for our second annual public baptism celebration. Hosted by Liberty Church Rotherham and led by our pastor, Adrian Dexter, the event was a beautiful demonstration of what happens when churches come together with one heart and purpose to make Jesus known.

It was wonderful to be able to share the good news of Jesus so publicly and see Him working in our town, which has often been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Less than a mile from the lake is the hotel that was at the centre of race riots in 2024 that made national headlines. We believe these baptisms are only the beginning of what He will do as His church stands together. 

This year’s event was even bigger than last year’s, with more churches joining us from across the region, reflecting a growing desire among churches to stand together in unity and serve our community.

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The highlight of the day was seeing 80 people step into the waters of baptism, with many of them sharing stories of God’s grace. One woman’s testimony particularly stood out… 

Two days earlier, during one of our youth events, two leaders had prayed with her and spoken words of faith and encouragement over her. She explained that the words she had heard stayed with her throughout the weekend. She realised that for many years she had simply been ​“pretending” to be a Christian and now needed to truly follow Jesus. After speaking and praying again with the youth leaders who had encouraged her, she ran into the lake and was baptised alongside the others. It was one of the most joyful moments of the afternoon, with cheers and celebration breaking out across the lakeside. 

Another unforgettable story came from Pastor Adrian’s own family. Every time the church had baptisms, Adrian had asked his son whether he felt ready to be baptised. Each time, his son honestly replied that he wasn’t ready, and Adrian respected his decision.

Then, on the morning of the baptism celebration, his son approached him and simply said he was ready. Later that afternoon, Pastor Adrian had the privilege of baptising his own son in front of hundreds of people gathered at the lake. As he came out of the water, the crowd erupted with applause, cheers and celebration. It was a beautiful reminder that God’s timing is always perfect and that each person’s journey of faith is unique. 

Wonderfully, eight people also made the decision to follow Jesus after hearing the gospel that day. There is no greater joy than seeing people encounter the love of Christ.

Manvers Lake is a popular place for a Sunday afternoon stroll, so about 2,000 people were in and around the event as the celebrations extended far beyond the lake. Families enjoyed a free community BBQ, children’s games, an ice cream van and live worship music throughout the afternoon, creating a welcoming space where churches and the wider community could celebrate together. 

One of the most encouraging aspects of the day was seeing churches from different denominations worshipping and serving together. Worship teams from Asian, African, and Caribbean churches, as well as British and multicultural congregations, all took part, and Christians Against Poverty ran a community stand sharing about how they provide support for those facing financial hardship. 

Youth and young adults from Liberty Church served bottled water and watermelon, raising funds for future mission trips. In a world that often focuses on division, this event was a powerful reminder that the church is at its strongest when it is united around Jesus.

Manvers Lake is on the site of an old coal mine, and we remember a prophecy spoken many years ago that ​“God will set on fire the communities that once mined coal”, so we are excited to see what God will do through the churches of Rotherham in the years to come.