A UK-wide Christmas outreach campaign now in it’s second year was aiming to reach one million people with the real meaning of the season this past weekend. And even King Charles has offered his support to this major initiative.
GNA reporter Peter Wooding went along to one of the Shine Your Light events in Central London to speak to their founder Jonathan Oloyede.
Source: www.shineyourlight.org.uk
SCRIPT:
A UK Christmas campaign, Shine Your Light, saw more than 1,000 outreach events take place during the weekend of December 13-15 involving 100,000 Christians sharing the real reason for the season out onto the streets.
Speaking at one of those events outside Westfield shopping mall in Stratford in London, the founder of Shine Your Light Jonathan Oloyede shared more about the vision for this initiative.
To take the Christ in Christmas to the masses, to society to everyone, everywhere. To tell people the real story behind Christmas and this is the spirit of what we’re doing across the UK.
The campaign has received significant support including even from His Majesty King Charles as Oloyede explains:
The King himself has decided to exhort Shine Your Light. His message was well done be encouraged. 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 getting the message of Christianity to society. That was his message and was a real encouragement to hear that from the King himself.
And these Christian leaders shared the importance of taking the real meaning of Christmas out on the streets:
What is happening here is amazing. This is the will of God. My hope and desire is that men and women will come to know the reason for the season.
It’s really nice to know that all these events are happening with one purpose to make Jesus known.
I think it’s wonderful to see that banner that says Jesus is the reason for the season. We need to bring back to remembrance that this isn’t about cocktails and parties. It’s actually about Jesus.
Christmas is a time to celebrate Jesus. It’s a time to recognise that Jesus Christ has come and we are in Stratford glorifying and lifting the name of Jesus.
And plans are already underway for next year’s Shine Your Light in 2025. Peter Wooding reporting for the Global News Alliance.
Story Provided By:
Peter Wooding – GNA London Bureau Chief
Producing Organization
Shine Your Light – www.shineyourlight.org.uk
Recording Location
London, England
Reporter / Producer
Peter Wooding
Organization featured in this Story
Shine Your Light – www.shineyourlight.org.uk
People Interviewed and their Titles
Jonathan Oloyede – Shine Your Light Founder, National Day of Prayer and Worship Convener
EN 
ES