Through rain, sunshine and 35,000 steps, over 100 supporters of London City Mission took to the streets of central London to take part in the Big London Walk.
This 12-mile sponsored walk, which included a city tour with Christian Heritage London, aimed to raise much-needed funds and awareness for the one in two people in London who don’t know a Christian to share the gospel with them, invite them to church or read the Bible with.
One of those eager walkers was Doug (see photo), an LCM Missionary who had more plans for his walk.
'I realised I was feeling ashamed... and that really challenged me'
He shared, ‘I wanted to do something very different for LCM’s Big London Walk. It came across to me once when I was travelling on the public transport that people were staring at me when I was reading the Bible. I realised (subconsciously) I was feeling ashamed in some ways of the gospel and of Jesus and that really challenged me to consider, why should I be ashamed?'
Doug decided to carry a 10ft cross along the journey with him. As personal reminder to not be ashamed of the gospel and a public witness of his faith in Jesus Christ.
‘I’ve realised in society people are made to feel ashamed of their faith in Jesus and I wanted to make a bold statement. Amazingly people have been so positive.
I’ve had people come up to me and give me high fives and say, ‘Praise the Lord’! I’ve had Muslims stop to say ‘Hi’. I’ve had two people come up to me and ask me why I was doing this and they ask me what’s your favourite Scripture from the Bible, and they started talking to me about the Bible! It was the opposite of what I thought would actually happen.’
Growing confidence in the church
Based on recent figures from the latest World Values Survey, confidence in the church has grown from 31% in 2018 to 42% in 2023. This isn’t an isolated statistic – other research is showing that young people are more open to prayer and that they’re seeking something beyond what this world can offer.
‘I’ve learned that people want to see you being bold about your faith and that’s the message that I want to tell anyone who hears this story. Please do not be ashamed of the cross. Be bold out there with this amazing message of the gospel that we have.’
‘You don’t need to have a cross with you at all the times. When you see the opportunity take the moment and speak to people about Jesus and what He’s done for you by dying on the cross!’
Initially working as a missionary, helping to plant churches throughout southeast Asia, Doug returned to London to work with Christian charities as a fundraising manager, until he realised God wanted him back on the mission field, this time in urban London.
‘My missionary travels have taught me that it is God who brings in the harvest; and my purpose is to continue to be humble and faithful in serving His plans wherever I am called, no matter the challenge.’
Doug now reaches many diaspora communities in the borough of Southwark where he serves LCM as a Team Leader. He is working alongside church leaders in the borough, teaching church members to engage in systematic community-based outreach through connecting with the community and inviting them to church.
