Premier Christianity report – Canon J. John has today announced plans to preach the gospel to tens of thousands of people in Arsenal’s Emirates stadium in Islington, London.
The ‘JustOne Emirates’ event is scheduled to take place on 8 July 2017 and is expected to cost £750,000.
Matt Redman, Hillsong and Noel Tredinnick are booked to lead worship, and J. John will give an evangelistic message. Organisers hope 25,000 Christians from a variety of church background and denominations will buy tickets and bring thousands of non-Christian “plus ones”.
Over 450 leaders from churches and Christian organisations in London were present at a special meeting at the Emirates stadium to hear about J.John’s vision for the Philo Trust event. After the meeting they were invited to sit in the seats of the stadium and pray for the vision to be realised.
Speaking to Premier after the launch, J. John said: “Five years ago I felt the Lord said it’s time to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in the football stadiums. They are the secular cathedrals.
“To fill a stadium like the Emirates says something. There are millions of people in London who have never been to church. They might come to the Emirates and that might be a stepping stone to them walking nearer to Jesus.”
The renowned evangelist said ‘JustOne Emirates’ would be a supplement to evangelistic initiatives already taking place.
“I’m not saying this is the answer to bringing revival in London but it could be a tipping point in everything the churches and para-ministries are doing,” he said.
J. John is aiming to raise £300,000 from 300 churches and organisations in order to finance the event. Another £300,000 is expected to come from ticket sales and £200,000 from donations.
Partner churches will host evangelism training in advance of the stadium event. J. John will also speak in these churches in the 9 months leading up to Just One Emirates.
The evangelist hopes to put on similar evangelistic events in other football stadiums after the 2017 event.
Source : Premier Christianity News UK