Derby Nights of Freedom

July 13, 2026
3:14 pm

As a charity, one of our greatest privileges is being able to support ministries and outreaches that share the hope of Jesus with communities across the UK. During the recent FGB National conference in Derby, we had a divine encounter with another group holding a prayer day in the conference centre. They let us know that they were planning an outreach event in a park in Derby in July. Trevor decided we should take time during the conference to pray with them. They joined us in a time of worship and powerful prayer, leaving both groups empowered and excited for the city of Derby.

Trevor and I also attended a course put on by the Evangelic Alliance. We took a seat only to be sat next to a couple from Derby! With it being central in the UK, everything is pointing to God having his hand on the city. Let’s pray that the fire ignited this weekend spreads out and we see God continue to move across the rest of the UK and Ireland.

The team behind Nights of Freedom has been sharing their vision on Instagram (www.instagram.com/nightsoffreedomuk). Describing these evenings as an opportunity to see lives transformed, people encounter Jesus, and the Gospel proclaimed boldly across Derby. They invited churches and believers to come together in faith, praying for salvations, and miracles.

OVERVIEW

Fourteen churches across Derby came together for Nights of Freedom. Marked by strong unity and a tangible move of God the two nights, attendance reached 445 and 385. With other groups who weren’t there for the event were on other parts of the field, and an additional 200+ people were reported gathering in the nearby. The worship, testimonies, gospel message and healings would be heard clearly throughout the park and car park clearly.

Church leaders were greatly encouraged by what was taking place in Markeaton park. With the outreach event some expressing their desire to continue to work together in mission across the city.

It was wonderful to see different churches volunteering at the event and to have a worship team made up of people from different churches. Churches of Derby mobilised together and reached the lost.

SALVATION - RESPONSE & STORIES

They had 34 people responded to the gospel 14 for the first time, and 20 recommitting their lives to Christ.

After the music and testimonies, a time of ministry began. The altar call was offered and it drew a powerful response! People kept coming forward even after the calls had formally ended, many in tears. God was moving powerfully across the park, touching people on a personal level. Including a number who came to repent of living double lives.

Here are some of the stories from people who’s lives have been transformed.

A MUM’S TEARS

A mum came to one of our team in tears of joy to share her story. That night her son gave his life to Christ and the very next day, his cousin did too.

There was so much joy, watching God move through entire families.

PASTOR OVERJOYED!

One pastor shared how there were three people who had attended his church for three years, finally gave their lives to Jesus at Nights of Freedom.

Now want to be baptised as well.

The Pastor has arranged for a baptism, where they’ll all be getting baptised at the end of August.

HAIR DRESSER SALVATION

A Christian lady who was there, shared she was happy to see that her hair dresser was in attendance.

Not only that but she responded to the Gospel to give her life to Christ. Later she discovered that another person from another church had invited her!

WIFE’S JOY AFTER YEARS OF PRAYERS ANSWERED

We were delighted to hear that a Christian lady saw her husband get saved at Nights of Freedom.

He responded to the altar call and surrendered his life to Jesus, having not been a Christian previously – isn’t that wonderful! What a blessing for the couple to be moving forward together with God.

All new believers have now been connected with local churches, either joining a church for the first time or being brought into discipleship training.

MIRACLE TESTIMONIES

There were many amazing testimonies from both nights, it’s great to be able to share some of the healing stories.

One woman had a 3-year collarbone injury, she was healed and now the pain is gone. She moved her arms freely for the first time in years.

A care home worker regained full use of his arms due to a previous injury. He celebrated by doing press-ups, completely pain-free. That night it was the first time he’d been able to do that since his injury.

There was a woman with an internal eye bleed. When it happened if meant that suddenly she could no longer see clearly. After prayer she said “Doctors will find nothing on Wednesday.”

Following prayer a woman’s chronic chest pain vanished instantly. She bent all the way to the ground and there was no more chest pain.

Through a word of knowledge a woman’s name was called out. She came forward and broke down in tears. During the night she was always tormented in her sleep, experiencing demonic attacks. She broke down in tears as freedom came to her.

A gym instructor had been experiencing shoulder pain, which caused him issues with doing his job. Then he did push-ups for the first time since February.

In Japan a man was watching on FaceTime. He felt his neck pain disappear in real time, during prayer hundreds of miles away. God was not restricted by just touching those that were there, he used the event to do so much more.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media is a place where the message can continue to reach people through videos and stories of what Jesus has done. It will also build an expectancy for what is coming next. There has been a great response to the Nights of Freedom event on social media and they will continue to share more testimony videos as time goes on.

MESSAGE FROM THE NIGHTS OF FREEDOM FOUNDER

I, Jay Smith, the founder of Rise for Christ International want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your partnership in the Gospel. The reality is we can’t do what we do effectively without the prayer and financial support of our partners.

Myself, our team extend our deepest thanks to God for you as you heard the need and stepped in to partner with us in the Gospel. Nothing delights our hearts more outside of knowing Jesus ourselves than to invite others to know Him too.

We are truly expectant and excited for the future of the UK and all Jesus will do as we continue to say yes to Him. We want to continue to spread the Gospel far and wide that all might hear and have the opportunity to be saved.

If you would like to stay connected and follow what we are doing our social media handles are Rise for Christ International, Nights of Freedom UK and Evangelist Jay Smith.

If you would like to hear more about our future work and plans or would like to support us financially, please do reach out to me at jay@riseforchrist.com — thank you for your partnership in the Gospel.