With over nine million people in Greater London and over fourteen million in its urban agglomeration, London continues to be one of the most exciting places in which to participate in gospel ministry. Every day, over 300 languages are spoken across the city. This shouldn’t be surprising given that the most recent statistics reveal that over half the population of London is foreign born. The world is not coming to London, it’s already here.
Even though London is one of the largest cities in Europe, many of the people groups new to London have had little to no gospel exposure. The top 100 unreached people groups in all the world are represented in London, including those from the 10/40 window.
London’s spiritual direction is one of decline which has far reaching effects. After the world wars, many turned away from God and turned to postmodernism and agnosticism. Today, London belongs to a country that is considered not only to be postmodern but post-Christian as well. The main religion is no religion. The latest statistics assert that less than 2% of the population regularly attend a gospel-preaching church on Sunday. This figure continues to dwindle. As a result, churches continue to close their doors. Empty pews have led to the conversion of many churches into residential units or business offices.
In this spiritual vacuum, the growth of various religions such as Islam or Hinduism is tremendous. The largest Hindu temple outside of India is in northwest London. Islam remains the fastest growing religion in the country with over 1 million Muslims living in London alone. This means that for every 8 people we meet, one will be a Muslim.
London, though not lacking in diversity of ethnicities and religions, is in desperate need of godly men and women who are passionate about sharing the gospel to this strategic city. Currently, there is 0% church growth in the UK. The common misconception today is that Londoners have rejected the gospel, the reality is that many have never heard it.
The common misconception today is that Londoners have rejected the gospel, the reality is that many have never heard it. Click To TweetSince the world lives in London and because there is little gospel witness by comparison, the need for more church planters is immense. While evangelizing and pastoring in various places across southeast London, I personally have had the opportunity to lead people to Christ from countries that I had never previously imagined possible. I never knew much about Liberia until I lead a young man named Korvah to Christ. On Sundays while preaching I continued to hear whispers in the back of the congregation and realized that a family from Moldova and Estonia was translating my message into Russian for their invited friends and family. When one Moldovan lady named Daniella had more questions, I was able to share the gospel with her, and she got saved. As our church grew, so did its people groups.
What’s most striking is the need for more gospel-focused ministry workers continues to exist even in already established Baptist churches. I was thrilled to lead a young lady named Ceyrone to Christ but was dismayed as she shared how she grew up in a Baptist church in London and never once had the whole gospel explained to her. This story is sadly repeated throughout many churches across London.
One comment I get again and again from mission teams visiting is that this is the first time they were able to share the gospel with a Muslim, a Hindu, an atheist, and a Mormon all in one day! It’s an incredible blessing to share Christ with your Sri Lankan neighbor on one side and your Polish neighbor on the other side. With so many different nationalities and religions in a pluralistic and religiously tolerant city, London needs more laborers to become all things to all people preaching Christ so that some might be saved.
