England’s role in proclaiming the gospel and the world missions movement has been profound. Tyndale and Wycliffe risked their lives by translating the Bible into English; William Carey launched the bold project to plant the gospel among Hindus in India ; CT Studd and the Cambridge 7 chose preaching the good news in China over fame and fortune; John Wesley led great revivals; CS Lewis entertains yet challenges us with his writings. The rich heritage of those who led the way over the centuries spurs us on to lead another “Great Awakening” in England and the nations.
The gospel message reached England by the end of the 2nd century through the expansion of the Roman Empire. Declared illegal until AD312 when the Roman Emperor Constantine became a Christian, Christianity became widespread in England during the 4th century.
A checkered history of invasion followed by spiritual revival spanned the first millennium. Church life became central to England in the Middle Ages. Monks and nuns gave food to the poor, ran the only hospitals, and provided hospitality for travellers. Sadly, it was also a time when the process and form of worship often overshadowed relationship with the God they wanted to serve.
Reformation of the English Church struck when King Henry VIII was not granted an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Ties between England and Rome were cut, and the 1534 Act of Supremacy made Henry the head of the Church of England. Monasteries were dissolved and extreme hostility and bloodshed took place over the next centuries between those following the Church of Rome and this new Church of England. Politics, power and religion wrestled for centuries.
A series of laws persecuting non-conformists to the Church of England was put in place, many of which endured until the 19th century. Still independent churches emerged in the 17th century.
Evangelist and preachers such as George Whitefield and John Wesley rocked the complacency of 18th Century England with the “Great Awakening”. Christians, responding out of love for God, again became concerned for the poor and needy, and the ways people conducted their lives began to change. Both individuals and newly-formed societies began to transform their worlds through knowing and living what Jesus said.
In 1792 the modern missionary movement was launched from England by William Carey, followed by Hudson Taylor, David Livingston, CT Studd and hundreds more who were determined to share the gospel in China, the African continent, and the Americas. They were pushing out to the ends of the earth.
English society changed through those who were transformed by the gospel. William Wilberforce challenged slavery in the House of Commons; William and Catherine Booth combatted poverty through “The Salvation Army”; the Cadbury brothers were pioneers in industrial relations and employee welfare at their chocolate factory.
The history of Christianity in England tells many different stories, some which we want to repeat more than others! The reformations and “Great Awakenings” which returned hearts to the simplicity, grace and beauty of a holy God always brought a change for good to those around them.
The England of today is vastly different than the ones Henry VIII or Whitefield knew. Fast-paced, highly-industrialized, well educated, multi-cultural, a world power, prosperous – yet her yearnings for genuine truth and faith are stronger than ever.
Come join us and help shape the future of another great thrust in missions – both into England and to the ends of the earth! Be transformed in your walk with God – and learn to walk it out in this mission-sending nation which has also become a mission field.
