In a powerful response to increasing secularization in Britain, more than 1,500 UK churches united to share the gospel message last month, with over 100,000 Christians participating in a nationwide campaign aimed at reaching a million people.
The nationwide evangelistic initiative called Shine Your Light encouraged Christians to take their carol services and other festive events onto the streets and shopping centers. Stories of revival are flooding in of churches from different denominations working together for the first time. In addition to England, events also were held in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and even Nigeria and France.
Young people shared the gospel outside Westminster Abbey, where groups under 25 regularly explore big questions of faith. “The young people love Jesus, and we’re just here to bring unity to the body, to make sure that they feel encouraged and empowered so they can shine their light brightly,” youth coordinator Jordana Smith said.
For the first time, a Shine Your Light advent calendar featured celebrities such as Bear Grylls, TV presenter Gemma Hunt and rapper FaithChild. Marsha DeCovara, the Second Estates Commissioner in Parliament, was among the political leaders who thanked churches for being bold in sharing the Christmas message this year.
King Charles participates
Even King Charles sent a letter of encouragement to the organizers expressing his pleasure in hearing about churches from different denominations coming together over Christmas.
“His message was, well done, be encouraged,'” organization founder Jonathan Oloyede said. “I heard what you did last year, and I want to encourage every single one of you involved in Shine Your Light this year and we want to thank you for taking the message of Christianity into communities.'”
Organizers look forward to the next outreach.
“People are already volunteering for next year,” Oloyede said. “They’re telling us that we need to do more next year. And so the vision for Shine Your Light is to get all the churches plugged in to sharing the gospel at Christmas on the streets across the U.K. and Ireland.”
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice
