Originally published in Premier Christian News
Thousands of Christians gathered in central London over the bank holiday last weekend for the return of the Jesus March, reviving a historic movement that first began in the capital nearly four decades ago.
The event, which started near Marble Arch and ended with worship and prayer in Trafalgar Square, brought together churches, ministries and believers from a range of denominations and cultures. Organisers described it as a joyful public celebration of faith during Pentecost weekend, with worship music, prayer and testimonies filling the streets.
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The march marked a revival of the original March for Jesus movement, first launched in London in 1987 before growing into a global movement spanning cities across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.
Henry George, one of the organisers, said Saturday’s march reflected a Church in London that is alive, growing and increasingly diverse.
“London’s church is alive, it is growing, it is diverse,” he told Premier. “There are different ages coming to know Jesus, different races, people of different backgrounds, and it is a beautiful, wonderful time to be a Christian in London.”
“We want to celebrate that together. We want to do that out loud and invite others to celebrate that joy as well — to come and join us, to taste and see that the Lord is good.”
George said now felt like the right moment to revive the movement because of a growing openness towards public worship and a rising confidence among younger Christians.
“There is a real courage about following Jesus in younger generations,” he said. Organisers wanted to connect those who remembered the original marches with “this fresh and exciting zeal” among Gen Z Christians.
He also pointed to the global resurgence of similar events and said organisers from cities including Belfast, Paris and Colombia had encouraged London to bring the movement back.
“People from Asia and Africa and Europe and the Americas are doing March for Jesus events, and we want to join in with that global family,” he said.
Organisers repeatedly stressed that the event was not driven by politics or campaigning.
“This is not a protest, this is not political, and this is not a promotion for one particular church or Christian brand,” George said. “This is about Jesus.”
Among the speakers was Andy Frost, director of Share Jesus International. He said the march aimed to offer a different message at a time of increasing social and political division.
“We live in a very political atmosphere,” he said. “As Christians, we want to be good news in these places… our job is to be peacemakers.”
Frost also said he had seen signs of growing confidence among younger Christians. Earlier in the day, he said he had spent time in Trafalgar Square with “many Gen Zs” publicly reading scripture and sharing their faith.
“There’s a real openness in London today,” he said. “These Gen Zs who are passionate about sharing their faith are stepping into these moments with a real sense of confidence that God is still in the business of transforming and changing lives.”
Another speaker, Girma Bishaw, director of the Gratitude Initiative, said the day had already begun with outreach activity before the march itself started.
“We started from Trafalgar Square this morning celebrating the 500 years of the translation of the Bible into English,” he said. “We were handing out Bibles and engaging with people… there’s excitement.”
He added that while, sometimes, public expressions of Christianity can feel unusual in Britain, believers should engage with people in humility and love.
“The Jesus who came to us and transformed us is also the Jesus willing to go to others and transform,” he said. “As long as that is done in the love and heart of the gospel… people will encounter Him.”
Bishaw, who said he had joined one of the original March for Jesus gatherings years ago, described the return of the event in London as especially meaningful.
“I’m delighted that God is raising that desire and vision again,” he said.
He also hoped the march would inspire similar events elsewhere and encourage Christians to become more visible in public life.
“The church becomes visible,” he said. “We are not just people doing what we do in our buildings, but actually we care about our nation, our city and the people outside.”
The March for Jesus in Belfast took place last weekend.
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