Organisers of Christmas evangelistic campaign thrilled with impact

Organisers of this yr’s Shine Your Light Christmas evangelistic outreach have been “overwhelmed” by the response from local churches.

They said that over 3 million people were reached through church events that took place from 12 to 14 December across the 4 nations of the UK, plus Ireland. 

Over 2,000 separate events were registered by churches ahead of the campaign, which got underway with The Salvation Army’s Christmas carol service on the Royal Albert Hall attended by 5,000 people. 

Other events included community carols at Warrington Rugby Stadium & Aston Villa Stadium, street outreach, and workplace gatherings to share the Christmas message.

The campaign enjoyed further exposure when it was featured in an episode of BBC’s Songs of Praise on 14 December that was watched by around one million people. 

The Redeemed Christian Church of God mobilised parishioners from over 900 churches to railway stations, shopping malls and community centres across the nation to share the Christmas message. 

Over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, a specially recorded carol service in partnership with Spring Harvest was to be broadcast to an estimated 56,000 prisoners. Shine Your Light partner Green Pastures also signed as much as broadcast the service in its network of homeless shelters. 

Shine Your Light founder Pastor Jonathan Oloyede said the campaign had been “blessed beyond all we could ever imagine”.

“Throughout the yr we sensed the Holy Spirit momentum constructing,” he said. 

“Attendance at our each day 7am and 7pm online prayer rooms grew steadily, with tons of gathering repeatedly, and our 72-hour prayer vigils were supported by churches and 1000’s of people from all 4 nations. 

“The BBC contacted us because they desired to showcase what God is doing when local churches unite in mission.”

Reflecting on the success of previous Shine Your Light events held all year long, Pastor Oloyede said he had heard remarkable stories of a renewed confidence in evangelism amongst lay Christians, and reports of individuals “who previously felt unable or unwilling to share their faith stepping out in recent ways”.

“One woman in Witney, Oxfordshire, who has been disabled for a long time, felt God prompt her to begin a TikTok channel sharing testimony, Bible verses and answering questions on faith. This yr alone she has gained greater than 8,000 followers,” he said.

Elder Mark Davies of Paignton Baptist Church said his congregation joined Shine Your Light for the primary time after a yr of exploring mission in on a regular basis life using Frontline resources from the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity and the 24-7 Prayer movement.

He said: “The Shine weekend fitted perfectly into our wider Advent programme and helped us take our witness onto the mixed-use street where our church is situated.

“Around a dozen members led outdoor carols, focused on one-to-one conversations, invited people into an ‘Open House’ coffee space, and served the area people.

“Alongside this, the church visited around 350 homes on the ten streets nearest the constructing with invitations to Christmas services.”

Major Scott Cunliffe, of Bangor Salvation Army, used Shine Your Light resources to support and promote a full festive programme that included carol services at a bowling centre, offices of the Department for Education, nursing homes, shopping areas, and a golf club.

The outreach was set to conclude on Christmas Day with carols at a Parkrun for over 400 runners, followed by a final service at a special learning centre.

“Throughout December we’ve been out in the neighborhood almost each day,” said Major Cunliffe. 

“From outdoor carol services and social clubs to a Christmas movie night advertised only on Facebook, we met many individuals we’d never encountered before.”

The next event by Shine Your Light will likely be a month-long national prayer vigil from 5 January to five February 2026. 

Pastor Oloyede said: “We thank God for each story we hear of recent Believers coming to faith. Churches are reporting better-prepared and better-resourced outreach, growing confidence in sharing the Gospel and a fresh unity across denominational lines. God is clearly doing something recent in local communities.”