The event took place at Festival Park on a Sunday evening, drawing participants and onlookers for a time of worship, praise, and reflection. Manna Church leaders described the gathering as a spiritually powerful experience, highlighting it as a milestone in the church’s ongoing outreach efforts.

Public Faith Expression Draws Hundreds

Senior Pastor Chris Fletcher of Manna Church, which is based near Fort Bragg, one of the largest Army installations in the world, shared that the evening carried deep meaning for many who took part. Fletcher baptized three of his sons’ close friends during the event, adding a personal layer to the occasion.

"I felt compelled to practice my faith – one of the fundamentals of our faith, the sacrament of water baptisms – right out in front of everybody," Fletcher said. His words emphasized the church's approach to public and community-centered expressions of faith.

In total, 193 people were baptized in front of witnesses gathered at the park. Another 20 people are said to have made a first-time commitment to Christianity during the evening, adding to the spiritual impact of the event.

Vision Sparked by Military Community Needs

Manna Church traces its unique mission back to 2014, when a large number of members—over a thousand—relocated due to military transfers. Pastor Fletcher’s father, Michael Fletcher, who now serves as Pastor Emeritus, initiated a new vision after realizing the repeated loss of congregants stationed elsewhere.

Chris Fletcher recalled his father's concern at the time, saying, “He kind of sat back in his chair and said, ‘This is crazy. Like, how are we going to build a church this way? We’re sending people that God's beginning a work in, to nobody.”

This experience led to a long-term goal known as the "Military Highway"—planting a church near each of the 273 U.S. military bases around the world. As part of this plan, Manna Church has since launched 33 campuses, with most located in North Carolina and Virginia, and others reaching as far as Hawaii and overseas.

Faith-Fueled Expansion Continues

Pastor Fletcher says the church's mission is driven by more than logistics. “The thing I love about 273 is it's not a vision I can accomplish," he said. He emphasized that divine guidance and commitment from believers are essential to fulfilling the dream his father started.

In reflecting on the event in Fayetteville, Fletcher described it as “transformative” and brimming with joy. “About 200 people decided to be baptized, and 20 people came to know Jesus right then and there,” he shared on social media.

He also used the moment to challenge other believers. "I think more believers should have God-sized visions that are terrifying when you look at them," he said, underscoring his belief in aiming beyond human limitations.

Deep Impact Felt Among Families

The pastor described the heartfelt moment of baptizing close family friends, saying, “We love these boys more than they will ever know, and we are SO PROUD of them. Our hearts are brimming with gratitude,” followed by a note of thanks to Jesus.

The event represents more than just a congregation milestone. It marks a continuation of a vision that remains focused on the intersection of faith and mobile military families, offering stability through spiritual community wherever they go.

The current scope of Manna Church’s reach includes major stateside campuses in Florida, Colorado, and Missouri, in addition to overseas locations, serving both military families and civilians.

Church Movement Gains Momentum

During a follow-up post, Manna Church called the baptism service “The MOST incredible night at Festival Park,” celebrating the large number of individuals choosing to make their faith public. “What a move of God!” the post concluded.

Speaking on the scope of their efforts, Pastor Fletcher noted, “It requires God to move, and that sort of drive gets me up in the morning.” He added that personal wisdom or ability isn't enough to carry such an ambitious vision forward.

“Witnessing Jesus’s transformative power in people’s lives is profoundly moving, and we're so honored that we get to be a part of something so huge and eternal,” Fletcher said as he reflected on the evening's outcomes.