Three baptisms and a wedding proposal 

Community Chaplain Esther Day, working with the Revd Neal Smith and the team at London Road Baptist Church in Lowestoft, had the privilege of baptising another three individuals on Sunday 5 May. 

Each has lived through very challenging circumstances in connection with drug addiction and all the associated struggles, following their recovery through the fantastic successful work of East Coast Recovery.

East Coast Recovery, run by Lester Morse, is an incredibly successful secular drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre based in Lowestoft. London Road Baptist Church, through Esther, Neal, and other staff members, has the privilege of working closely with many of the clients and also of running Alpha courses and Growth courses with them.

The church has had the privilege of baptising many recovered addicts including one who is now training to be a Baptist minister and others whose lives have been completely transformed, from gaining successful employment, re-establishing links with family and children, and completely changing their lifestyles as they become authentic committed followers of Jesus Christ.

On this fantastic occasion one previous baptismal candidate Ricky, proposed to his girlfriend Louise shortly after she came out of the water to the delight and rapturous applause of all the congregation. Fortunately she said yes, as Liz Read, Community Worker with the church, released an exploding glitter cannon over the happy couple.



Following the baptisms, Neal offered a spontaneous appeal and Adam was baptised at the end of the service, after seeing his friend Laurence baptised. Laurence’s parents had travelled to see their son baptised, and said it was like having a new son. This gave Neal the opportunity to tell them he has been born again. In response to the evangelistic sermon, five other people stressed an interest in being baptised also.

A number of the church's new Christians help with the Chaplaincy team on the streets of Lowestoft and at Whitton Life, where Liz Read, the church's community Chaplain, also works in a challenging community near the church and has had the privilege of baptising many of the local residents.