“If you look at London’s churches, not all but many are either white majority or black majority churches but God is saying to us to model a church that reflects the Kingdom, where Asian and Caribbean and English or African can all be together in one place and be one in the same community,” says Pastor Jonathan Oloyede, convener of Global Day of Prayer London and associate pastor of the newly launched City Chapel in Newham.
“It’s a challenge,” says Pastor Jonathan, but it’s not impossible. He takes as his inspiration the example set by the early church in the Book of Acts where believers gathered in each others’ homes and shared everything they had.
“When we began to pray God was saying to us that he wanted us to reap a harvest among the indigenous British people and grow and nurture a multi-cultural church that reflects the community and the cosmopolitan nature of the region and city we live in," he says.
"I am challenged by that because I know it is not going to be an easy task. It is going to take a lot out of us and take us out of our comfort zone. But the senior pastor at City Chapel is God and the Holy Spirit so I am challenged by the vision set before me but not daunted.”
Foundational to Pastor Jonathan’s vision for the church is loving God, loving all people, and fulfilling the Great Commission of going into the world and preaching the Gospel.
