UK’S LARGEST EVANGELISTIC WEEKEND UNDERWAY – 2 MILLIONCITIZENS BEING REACHED WITH THE CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
AFTER months of preparation and prayer, the UK’s largest united evangelistic campaign is now underway—72 hours of Christian witness taking place across all four nations. Starting at midnight this morning, Christians began praying for the good news of Christmas to be shared in their local communities and across all four nations. From 12 to 14 December, more than 1,700 events will take place in this year’s Shine Your Light mission, taking carol services, Christmas services, and other events from church buildings onto the streets, market squares, shopping centers—anywhere people are gathering in the lead-up to Christmas. Events are taking place in every major UK city and in rural villages alike. For the first time, a specially recorded Christmas service will be broadcast into UK prisons over Christmas Eve/Day, reaching up to 88,000 inmates [1], as well as homeless shelters. Now in its third year, Shine Your Light brings together over 60 denominations, networks, and prayer groups. This year’s campaign includes a clear focus on engaging young people through social media and encouraging Christians to witness in their workplaces – in offices, factories, schools and beyond. This Sunday, BBC Songs of Praise will highlight how Shine Your Light partners churches in Bedford works together throughout the year, and especially this weekend, to share the Christian message. The programme airs at 1.15pm on BBC One. Pastor Jonathan Oloyede, Founder and Convenor of Shine Your Light, said: “Shine Your Light this weekend is fuelled by 72 hours of continuous prayer across the four nations, as believers from many churches and networks unite with one heart. “This Christmas, in a season of political and cultural tension, the Church is stepping out – into high streets, shopping centres, marketplaces and even sports grounds – to lift the name of Jesus. Though we come from different denominations and streams, we are one in Christ, serving our communities with His love. Everyone is welcome because Jesus came for all and gave His life for all. “This year’s outreach comes after a year saturated in prayer: daily online gatherings, extended vigils, and local united intercession. We believe the Spirit has been shaping us for His mission. “This weekend, through carols, Scripture, and powerful testimonies, we are declaring the peace of Christ over our land, believing for salvation, healing and fresh hope as we seek God’s Kingdom over the Church and over the whole of the UK and Ireland.” Support for this year’s mission continues to grow. Organisers have received a note of encouragement, for a second year, from Buckingham Palace after informing the King of the initiative. In recent years, Shine Your Light has also received backing from No. 10, political leaders across the main parties, and a range of sports and entertainment figures. BAFTA award-winning comedian Tim Vine sent a video message this week to all participating churches. Gavin Calver, CEO of the Evangelical Alliance, gave his continued backing after speaking at a Shine Your Light event. He said: “It was such a joy to preach at a town-wide carol service in Warrington on Wednesday evening, at the rugby league stadium. An amazing privilege to share the gospel in this environment, and it’s always wonderful when churches work together so powerfully.” Participating churches have accessed a wide range of free resources to help them reach their communities, including professionally printed carol sheets, programme ideas, music backing tracks, downloadable carols, and follow-up materials for new contacts. Promotion for the weekend has been building since September across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and the Shine Your Light YouTube channel. Further information about this weekend’s events is available at www.shineyourlight.org.uk ENDS For further information/interviews: Adam May – 07736 949869 – adam@ndopw.comDirector of Communications and Engagement for NDOPW Revd Paul Eddy – 07923 653781 – paul@pauleddy.ukPR Consultant to Shine Your Light/NDOPW Editor Notes:[1] Prison Population: Offender management statistics quarterly: April to June 2025 –GOV.UK
BAFTA-WINNING COMEDIAN TIM VINE BACKS NATIONAL ‘SHINE YOUR LIGHT’ CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN
BAFTA Award-winning stand-up comedian, panto performer and TV personality Tim Vine is the latest high-profile supporter – including celebrities, politicians and national church leaders – to endorse this weekend’s Shine Your Light Christmas evangelistic campaign. Vine, a former Guinness World Record holder for the most jokes told in an hour and celebrated for his rapid-fire one-liners, has recorded a personal message encouraging over 200,000 Christians from more than 10,000 UK churches as they prepare to take to high streets, market squares, and shopping centres nationwide. Across the country, churches are joining forces to bring carol services and Christmas celebrations out of their buildings and into public spaces – reflecting the biblical name for Jesus, Emmanuel, meaning “God with us”. Now in its third year, Shine Your Light is a united initiative of more than 60 denominations, prayer networks, and church streams, aiming to “put Christ back into Christmas”. In previous years, it has received public support from the UK Prime Minister, members of the House of Lords, sports figures, and others. Tim Vine, who won a BAFTA in 2002 for The Sketch Show, now adds his voice. In his video message released across all the Shine Your Light social media channels today, Vine, a regular parish church worshipper who has performed at major Christian gatherings, including the Spring Harvest festival, said: “So I saw Father Christmas with a kangaroo. I said, ‘What’s that?’ He said, ‘My Christmas jumper!’ “I’m here to encourage you to get involved with the Shine Your Light campaign. It’s in its third year, and it’s telling everyone about the real message of Christmas. “Can it be true? Can it be true that God came down to earth and lived as a man amongst us? “‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’—sing it at a bus stop. ‘Away in a Manger’—sing it in Pret A Manger. “I got a text from heaven—that was a Godsend! So come on: shine your light. Shine His light this Christmas.” This year’s campaign (12–14 December) aims to reach 2 million people across the UK with the Christian message, with a particular focus on young people via social media and workplace witness. For the first time, a special Spring Harvest carol service, sponsored by Shine Your Light will be broadcast in many UK prisons, reaching 56,000 prisoners, and shared with hundreds of homeless shelters. The initiative will also feature on BBC One’s Songs of Praise at 1:15pm on Sunday 4 December. For more information, visit www.shineyourlight.org.uk . ENDS For further information/interview:Adam May 07736 949869 adam@ndopw.comDirector of Communications and Engagement for NDOPW Revd Paul Eddy 07923 653781 paul@pauleddy.ukPR Consultant to Shine Your Light/NDOPW Editor’s NotesTimothy Mark Vine (born 4 March 1967) is an English comedian, actor, writer and presenter best known for his puns and other one-liners and his role on the TV sitcom Not Going Out (2006–2012, 2014). He has also released a number of stand-up comedy specials and written several joke books. From 2004 to 2014, Vine held the Guinness World Record for the most jokes told in an hour: each joke had to get a laugh from the audience to count towards the total, and he set the new record with 499 jokes. In both 2010 and 2014, he won the award for best joke at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe , and he was the runner-up for each of the three years between. He is the younger brother of broadcaster Jeremy Vine and the older brother of artist Sonya Vine. Vine and a security guard from his office job in Croydon started doing open mic nights as a hobby. During 1991, Vine regularly honed his routine at the Comedy Café in London, adding other clubs throughout 1992. He came second in the Hackney Empire New Act competition in 1993. Vine quit his job to go on tour as a support act for Boothby Graffoe . Vine became a regular on the London comedy circuit by 1994, trying a variety of comedy styles before breaking into TV on the BBC’s Pebble Mill show the same year. In 1996, Vine met Lee Mack at the Comedy Lounge in Kingston-Upon-Hull. Mack was competing in The Gong Show, where up to ten comedians try to last for a full five-minute slot, hoping to beat the Gong and not get voted off by the public. The pair later worked together on The Sketch Show , Not Going Out and Let’s Play Darts for Comic Relief . In autumn 1995, Vine hosted the BBC One morning quiz Housemates, featuring an endgame called Up The Garden Path. The show ran for one season of 25 episodes. From May to August 1997, Vine presented the Channel 4 game show Fluke which he devised. From 2001 to 2004, Vine co-wrote/starred in both series of ITV ‘s The Sketch Show with Lee Mack . From 2006 to 2012, Vine played Timothy Gladstone Adams in Mack’s BBC One sitcom Not Going Out . He returned for a cameo in the 2014 Christmas episode and the series 7 finale. Since 2009, Vine has made appearances on the Channel 4 game show Countdown as a guest in Dictionary Corner. In 2012, Vine hosted one series of game show Don’t Blow the Inheritance for ITV. Vine faced “The Beast” Mark Labbett on The Chase in 2012 and 2021. Vine has participated in several Comic Relief / Sport Relief charity competitions. On 7 October 2004, Vine broke the Guinness World Record for the most jokes told in an hour with 499, beating the previous record of 362 by Estonian Erkki Kolu. He held the record until November 2014, when beaten by Australian comedian Taylor Goodwin. Vine lives in Banstead , Surrey .
SHINE YOUR LIGHT 2025 LAUNCHES AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL
SHINE Your Light – the annual evangelistic campaign encouraging UK churches to take carol services and Christmas events out of their buildings and into public spaces – officially launched this week, (DEC 3) which included the Celebrate Christmas Carol at the RoyalAlbert Hall. More than 5,000 guests were welcomed by Shine Your Light partner The Salvation Army Great Britain and Ireland to hear a Christmas message, hear celebrities bring the Bible aliveand enjoy some spectacular worship. Commissioner Paul Main, UK Territorial Commander of The Salvation Army, said: “We were delighted to welcome the leadership of Shine Your Light, along with ecumenical and civic guests, to The Royal Albert Hall for our ‘Celebrate Christmas’ carol service. It was a wonderful way to begin Advent in worship centred on the Christmas story, and to encourage everyone to shine the light and love of Jesus into their community. “As leaders of The Salvation Army for the UK and Ireland, we’re excited to see how the Shine Your Light initiative will enable the good news of Jesus to spread across the nation this month, as God’s people step out in faith and shine brightly in their communities.” Next week (DEC 10) Shine Your Light partner Spring Harvest will hold a carol service at Westminster Chapel, London. The recording will be broadcast in UK prisons on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The Prison Fellowship estimates that 57,000 prisoners will hear the gospel. Through another Shine Your Light partner, Green Pastures, the service will also be shown in hundreds of homeless accommodation centres across all four nations – just one example of the 60-plus denominations, networks and charities involved this year. Jo Moir, Head of Spring Harvest, said: “This celebration is more than a single gathering in one location – we believe it will echo with hope and joy across the Isles. Our heart is to see the message and music shared far beyond Westminster Chapel: into prisons and communities throughout the UK, urban and rural. We look forward with great expectation as we shine our light into every corner of our nation this Christmas.” The Spring Harvest carol service will be available on the Spring Harvest YouTube channel from 19 December, joining the suite of free resources offered to churches registered for this year’s campaign. Now in its third year, Shine Your Light expects 2,000 UK churches to take part, supported by expanded resources designed to help churches reach young people, engage effectively on social media and equip Christians to share their faith in the workplace. BBC Songs of Praise has also recognised Shine Your Light’s growing national impact, filming partner churches in Bedford singing carols on the streets for a special Sunday programme. Carols, testimonies and an interview with Shine Your Light Founder and Convenor, Pastor Jonathan Oloyede, will be broadcast on BBC One at 1.15pm on Sunday 14 December. Bishop Mike Royal, General Secretary of Churches Together in England, has encouraged all 54 member churches to get involved. He said: “Christmas is a unique opportunity to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Shine Your Light encourages churches to make the most of this moment to share Christ’s message of joy, peace and hope. At CTE, we are encouraging as many churches as possible to engage with this year’s campaign.” • To register your church for Shine Your Light 2025, and access FREE resources, visit www.shineyourlight.org.uk ENDS For further information/interview:Adam May 07736 949869 adam@ndopw.comDirector of Communications and Engagement for NDOPW Revd Paul Eddy 07923 653781 paul@pauleddy.ukPR Consultant to Shine Your Light/NDOPW Editor’s NotesFor further information about the Shine Your Light 2025 partner organisations mentioned, visit the following links: The Salvation Army UK Territory: In the UK and Ireland | The Salvation ArmySpring Harvest: Home – Spring HarvestThe Prison Fellowship: Home – Prison FellowshipGreen Pastures: A future without homelessness is possibleChurches Together In England: Churches Together in England
CLASSIC WORSHIP SONG ‘SHINE, JESUS SHINE’ REIMAGINED AS PART OF NATIONAL CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN THIS DECEMBER
The much-loved worship song Shine, Jesus Shine—first written by Christian singer-songwriter Graham Kendrick in 1987—has been newly arranged to include children’s prayers and new musical bridges as part of the UK-wide Shine Your Light Christmas campaign. The new version aims to “unify voices and ignite revival across the nation,” says Nicole Hobday, a Christian school teacher and musician from Romford, whose vision inspired the project. She has been collaborating for around a year with Kendrick’s long-standing musical director, Steve Thompson, on the new arrangement and national recording. “Last year, God gave me a vision of a nationwide worship movement where thousands of voices—across cities, churches, schools, and denominations—unite in song,” she explained. “This project isn’t just about reimagining a classic; it’s about proclaiming God’s light, love, and hope over our nation in a powerful moment of unified worship,” Nicole added. Thompson and Hobday have been working with musicians, singers, and choirs from diverse backgrounds across the UK to produce an official new recording, set for release in December. Alongside the song, a new video, MP3 recordings, and creative prayer and worship resources will be made available free of charge in partnership with Shine Your Light. Shine Your Light, a ministry of the National Day of Prayer and Worship (NDOPW), will run from December 12 to 14. The campaign will see an estimated 2,000 UK churches take Christmas worship out of their buildings and into public squares, shopping centres, and high streets—bringing the Christmas message of hope to where people gather. Building on the success of 2024, this year’s goal is to mobilise 200,000 Christians to share the Gospel with 2 million members of the public. Dr Jonathan Oloyede, Convenor of NDOPW, welcomed this new song, saying: “For decades, ‘Shine, Jesus Shine’ has been an anthem of hope and revival, stirring hearts with its timeless message of God’s transforming power. In a world facing division and uncertainty, this new version offers a fresh expression of faith and unity.” The new arrangement honours the song’s original message while giving it a fresh sound for a new generation of worshippers—a call to spiritual awakening across the nation. Shine Your Light also includes new initiatives this year to reach young people, engage through social media, and equip Christians to share their faith in workplaces. Free downloadable and printable resources will help churches take part, including: For more information, and, in due course, to download Shine, Jesus Shine resources and backing tracks, visit: www.shineyourlight.org.uk/song For further information/interview:Adam May | 07736 949869 | adam@ndopw.comDirector of Communications and Engagement for NDOPW Revd Paul Eddy | 07923 653781 | paul@pauleddy.ukPR Consultant to Shine Your Light/NDOPW Editor’s NotesShine, Jesus Shine (also known as “Lord, the light of your love is shining”) was composed by Graham Kendrick (b. 1950), a native of Blisworth, Northamptonshire, England, who now lives in Kent. The son of a Baptist pastor, today, Kendrick is one of the most prolific British Christian singer-songwriters and worship leaders. Initially trained as a teacher, Kendrick began his career as a singer/songwriter in 1972. He now has over 30 albums and 400 songs to his credit, and his songs are sung throughout the world in many languages. Shine, Jesus, Shine has been a song of hope at noteworthy events such as the 1996 Dunblane memorial service for 16 students and a teacher who were tragically killed, and the Tasmania massacre memorial service for the 40 people killed by a lone gunman, also in 1996. Other large gatherings that used the song include the Billy Graham crusades and the largest ever open-air mass in 1995 in Manila, where Pope John Paul II is said to have“swung his cane in time to the music.” Stanza one focuses on the light “shining in the midst of the darkness” and Christ as the “Light of the World” (John 8:12). This Light “set[s] us free by the truth…” (John 8:32). Kendrick’s efforts have been recognized in many ways, including a Dove Award (1995) and an honorary doctorate of divinity from Brunel University (2000) in West London. Shine, Jesus, Shine was voted tenth in a 2005 survey of the United Kingdom’s favourite hymns by the BBC’s Songs of Praise program. For further information, visitwww.grahamkendrick.co.uk
YOUTH AND SOCIAL MEDIA FOCUS FOR UK’S UNITED CHURCH ‘SHINE YOUR LIGHT’ CHRISTMAS EVANGELISM CAMPAIGN 2025
UK CHURCH and Christian Network leaders gathered at London’s O2 area yesterday (OCT12) to hear plans for the Shine Your Light 2025 united churches’ campaign this Christmas – with a new focus on youth and using social media. Pastor Dr Jonathan Oloyede, Founder and Convenor of the National Day of Prayer and Worship (NDOPW), told the gathered leaders – and will share with hundreds more via scheduled Zoom gatherings in the coming days and weeks—that following last year’s success with over 1,500 partner churches reaching over 1 million people via open air carol services and Christmas events, this year the vision is for 200,000 Christians to reach 2 million people! With new partnerships with strategic Christian charities being confirmed weekly, organisers hope to reach those often forgotten at the festive season. A new link-up with Spring Harvest will see a specially-recorded Christmas service broadcast to reach 58,000 Prisoners across the UK, and going into hundreds of homeless accommodation centres. Shine Your Light, a united initiative of denominations, prayer networks and streams is now in its third year. It helps churches take carol services, nativity and other Christmas events from within church buildings out into shopping centres, village greens, community centres – anywhere where the public will gather over December. Whilst the focus of the four-nation evangelistic campaign is aimed for the weekend of 12-14 December, any church can register and benefit from free resources to help them spread the Christian message throughout December. The invitation comes at a time when a Bible Society report, The Quiet Revival suggests more young people than ever are open to the Christian message [1], with churches reporting Generation Z showing up at services unannounced. For Shine Your Light 2025, organisers are keen to urge churches to intentionally focus on reaching young people – as well as those traditionally drawn to carol and annual Christmas events. Shine Your Light has launched a new Youth Social Media Campaign [2] for 2025, led and produced by Christian young people who will utilise Instagram, TikToc, LinkedIn, Facebook and other platforms between now and Christmas Day. Speaking at the afternoon event at OVO Arena Wembley ahead of the SKYLIGHT youth concert, led by gospel singer Emmanuel Smith [3] and attended by over 5,000 young people, Pastor Jonathan Oloyede told Church Leaders: “Last year, in market places, parks, shopping centres and malls, churches in towns and cities united across denominations to reach 1-million people. This year we want even more people – 2-million to know that Jesus is the reason for the season. We live in very dark and anxious times for many and only Christ can offer certainly, lasting hope and bring deep peace into people’s lives. “From experiences shared by church leaders, as well as the Bible Society report, we know young people are searching for meaning and hope and, are open to the gospel. So, let’s join forces throughout December to make sure as many young people as possible hear how Jesus can transform lives.” Pastor Jonathan went on to say that many churches already have Christmas programmes of carol services and events – but all too often, the message sent out has been ‘come to us’. He explained: “Shine Your Light resources church leaders to think outside the box. To ask whether some of their events can be taken outside church walls, out to where people gather naturally. We’ll provide a range of resources on our website, and links to CPO who can produce professional publicity for events. This Christmas, let’s unite and pray that 2-million of our fellow citizens who would never usually hear of the real meaning of Christmas, will hear, read, sing about Him – maybe for the first time ever, or in years – and get an opportunity to respond to His amazing love. I urge every UK church to become a partner church and together, let’s reach this nation for Christ.” Free resources for churches include: Promotional and Youth Video [2&4] to show in churches and to share on social media, and details how churches can register for Shine Your Light 2025 can be found at www.shineyourlight.org.uk Further resources about new partnerships, and the prison and homeless ministry will be revealed in the coming weeks. Editor’s Notes [1] ‘The Quiet Revival’: huge increase in young people attending church – Religion Media Centre [2] First Youth SYL social media promo can be accesses via www.shineyourlight.org.uk [3] Skylight is an annual event aimed at bringing people together to experience Gospel music in its different forms and expressions. The Host (Emmanuel Smith) was a semi-finalist on The Voice UK 2019 and has travelled the world using his talent to inspire and impact people around the world. SKYLIGHT has previously been held at Indigo, at the O2, and for 2025, Emmanuel and his team decided to host it one of the UK’s iconic venues, the OVO Arena Wembley on October 12. [4] SYL 2025 launch video can be accesses via www.shineyourlight.org.uk Picture Note JPEG quality pictures of the launch are available from Adam May or Paul Eddy, and include:- Pastor Jonathan Oloyede speaking to church and network leaders at the launch in London. Jo Moir, new head of Spring Harvest explains a new partnership to reach prisoners and homeless people this Christmas. Emmanuel Smith addressed church and network leaders giving his backing to Shine Your Light 2025 ahead of his concert. Some of the UK Church and Christian Network leaders gathered at the OVO Arena, Wembley to hear of the youth and social media focus for Shine Your Light 2025. The Shine Your Light 2025 launch was held ahead of the Skylight Concert with Emmanuel Smith.
‘SHINE YOUR LIGHT’ UNITES RECORD 1,500 CHURCHES IN SHOW OF UNITY OVER THE CHRISTMAS SEASON
OVER 1,500 churches – more than double the number in 2023, joined in the inter-denominational evangelistic initiative called Shine Your Light this Christmas season – taking carol services and other festive events onto the streets and shopping centres. Shine Your Light (SYL) organisers had hoped to increase last year’s total of 738 participating churches to 1,000, but with registrations still coming in, as of today (31st December) 1,711 churches took part – many working for the first time with other local churches to take the Christmas message outside church walls, and into their community. With their original goal of over 1-million people hearing the gospel smashed, stories are flooding in of churches from different denominations working together for the first time. In Blairgowrie, Perthshire in Scotland, the Episcopal Church worked for the first time in the history of both churches with the Assemblies of God Church. Morag who coordinated this event said: “For the first time in living memory, 85 Christians from seven churches gathered in The Wellmeadow – an open space in the centre of the town – to sing carols and follow the story of the nativity through seven Bible readings. Members of the public joined in, and gifts of Bible texts in rafia-bound mini-scrolls were eagerly accepted, along with free sweets. We returned to the church hall for hot drinks, mince pies, and fellowship. “The event was a powerful public statement of witness and brought together churches who do not regularly worship together – they included: the Church of Scotland; Catholic; Episcopal; Brethren; and Life Plus. Together, we proclaimed Christ as the focus of Christmas” In Wales, in Llangefni town centre, according to Jacqueline, “something extraordinary happened. The Welsh and English congregations got together from four of the different churches to sing carols, pray for the community and share the good news from the Shine Your Light carol booklet. This unity is not usual here! “The Town Council even allowed us to have power from the town clock – which powers all our town Christmas lights – and as the clock struck the first stroke of ‘11’, the power came into our sound system. There was a Christmas market on the same day. Many people stopped and joined in with a carol or two and listened to the prayers and readings as they passed by. As we sang ‘Silent Night’ a holy hush fell on the town centre, and the tangible presence of God was there. It was precious.” Across England, over 1,000 Shine Your Light events took place, including in workplaces, prisons as well as care homes. Amy, who attended a Shine Your Light in the Midlands reported: “There was a group of about 50 Christians from five local churches. It was encouraging as we haven’t worked together in outreach for quite a while. We sang, shared testimonies, read from the Bible, and prayed blessing over our community. Some people stopped and joined in. We were able to give out a number of programmes, to which we’d added a map and info about the churches taking part.” And at Bournemouth’s large Castlepoint Shopping Centre, Gabriel explained: “There were several choirs arranged to sing carols throughout the day, and also 700 bags of ‘Hope and Joy’ to be handed out to shoppers. “Just before the event, the shopping centre Authority raised concerns that the bag contents might be too ‘religious’ – a box of chocolates, a Christmas card including a Bible verse, a list of Bournemouth Christmas Church Services, and a booklet of Testimonies of people whose lives had been changed by Jesus. So, we prayed, and they agreed that we could go ahead – without taking anything out of the bags! “The event was originally planned for the week before but because of the storm forecast, the organisers thought it might have to be cancelled because of the stage needed for the choirs. So, it was postponed till December 14, Shine Your Light weekend. This meant a lot of late organisational changes because not all the people in the choirs were available on the revised date. An estimate that about 50 people were involved in running the event is conservative! “On the day, the Lord blessed us with good weather, and all 700 bags were handed out by about 1 pm – though the event was scheduled to finish at 4 pm. There were many meaningful conversations with shoppers, and some people were prayed for during the day. The following Monday, we received news that the shopping centre Authority would like us to do two Saturdays next December, not two!” This year’s unity was even recognised by Buckingham Palace. King Charles sent a letter of encouragement to the organisers expressing his pleasure in hearing about churches from different denominations coming together over Christmas. Whilst the focus of the four-nation evangelistic campaign was aimed at the weekend of 13-15 December, churches registered to use free evangelistic resources to help them spread the Christian message at any time in December. These included an 8-minute evangelistic talk by Dr Amy Orr-Ewing (adapted for local context), a professionally designed and printed Carol sheet for events, music backing tracks to accompany the carols, or a music score for each carol, and resources for churches to follow up contacts made at events. Pastor Jonathan Oloyede, Convenor of the National Day of Prayer & Worship said: “The Bible says ‘How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! In this year’s Shine Your Light, we’ve seen more than double the number of participating churches, and we’re hearing more and more stories of churches working together for the very first time in unity to reach their local communities. Shine Your Light has united believers on the essential truths of the gospel, though there will always be some aspects of church life and beliefs we may differ on. “There’s something very powerful when God’s people come together to pray and to witness to their local community. From it friendships are built, barriers are broken down, believers continue to gather for joint events, and over time, the Body of Christ is built up and together,