Nearly 9 million people call London home, and millions more are drawn to this city each year as tourists. It’s a cultural melting pot, yet Christians and the Biblical truth they stand on aren’t as welcome as they used to be.
“This really is a culture that goes against the very simple Gospel,” said Scott Lenning, director for the upcoming God Loves You Tour with Franklin Graham on June 21.
According to a recent report, Christians in the United Kingdom are facing increasing hostility—including believers being fined and prosecuted for praying in public—or peacefully standing for Biblical truth in their workplace.
In fact, over half of 1,500 believers surveyed there said that they were ridiculed when they spoke openly about Jesus Christ.
Since 2022, Graham has preached in several cities across the U.K.—the June outreach marking his third time proclaiming the Gospel in London. The free event will feature music from CeCe Winans, Michael W. Smith, and The Afters, followed by a message from Franklin Graham about how to experience new life in Jesus Christ.
While some anti-Christian groups continue to push back on Gospel opportunities, BGEA has seen even more churches get involved in the God Loves You Tour this year than in the past, said Lenning.
Members from over 1,300 churches plan to attend pre-tour events, such as the Christian Life and Witness Course (CLWC), which equips believers to boldly live out what they believe and share it with others.
“There’s more and more young people that are responding to the Gospel at every event,” said Reuben Morley, who’s helping organize the tour with a focus on youth outreach.
Leading up to June 21, BGEA is also hosting Pursuit—a CLWC for young people—in 12 towns and cities around London.
“These [training courses] help youth grow in confidence in sharing their faith and reaching their loved ones with the Good News, encouraging them in their walk with God, and giving them the tools to be bold in the Gospel,” Morley explained.
“People are really searching for identity, purpose, and hope,” the 35-year-old continued, reflecting on the age-old problems that so many face, especially as teens. “Their needs have been magnified through the fact that they are not finding what they need through social media and everything like that. …
“All the things we were told that would fulfill and satisfy us aren’t, and there’s something about following Jesus and His truth that we want to explore.”
As with all evangelistic outreaches, prayer is crucial as the London event approaches.
“The greatest prayer request is that believers will see this as a chance for personal ministry,” said Lenning. “It’s a unique evangelistic opportunity for their congregation to invite family and friends to hear the Gospel.”
Will you join us in praying for London? Ask God to bring many people to faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, and to fill local believers with a renewed passion—and boldness—to share His love with others.
