Baptisms in York City Centre!

York City Church recently played a key role in an open air service that received widespread media coverage including a report on the 10 o'clock news, live coverage on BBC News 24 and articles in national newspapers. The service held in the centre of York on Easter Sunday was attended by the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, and featured 21 believers’ baptisms by full immersion.

Although the event was organized by One Voice York, an inter-denominational network of churches, York City Church gave up their morning meeting to set up the stage, PA and portable baptistery. As the crowds gathered, the worship band played contemporary worship songs and the church put on face painting for children. Not wanting to miss any opportunity, they conducted evangelistic questionnaires and handed out invitations to their forthcoming Alpha Course! 

Up to three hundred people, many of whom were visitors to the city, sang along to worship, led by the York City Church band, and later heard John Sentamu speak forthrightly about the power of the resurrection before witnessing the baptisms. Three young people from City Church were among those who were baptised by JohnSentamu and James Bailey, one of the City Church elders. Speaking to journalists after the event, John Sentamu said: ‘I think it was fantastic. It is a first because there were so many denominations involved in it. Whatever the boundaries have been, to me we have created a much bigger tent which we can all inhabit, which I think is wonderful.’

Steve Hurd, lead elder at York City Church was enormously encouraged by the event and the part the church played in it. ‘It was wonderful to see three of our young people stand up in front of hundreds of people and boldly declare their love for Jesus. Our team did a great job setting up the event and I have lost count of the number of church leaders who have complimented our people for their hard work and enthusiasm. One church leader even asked me if he could have our worship band!’

Follow the links below to read other newspaper stories of the event:
York Evening Press
London Metro
AOL
Tiscali
Daily Mail