Prayer and praise come to Leicester's city centre

Residents and visitors to Leicester were once again told to "come just as you are" last Saturday, as the Jesus Loves Leicestershire (JLL) team held its fifth annual "Fire and Glory" event in the city centre.

With predicted heavy rain at best and a hurricane at worst threatening to put a dampener on the day's events, it proceeded as usual, with glorious sunshine bucking the forecast and a making a welcome change to the city's recent spell of bad weather.

Thousands of onlookers of all ages were entertained, encouraged and motivated as they flocked to the huge stage in Leicester's busy Humberstone Gate to witness one of city's largest annual Christian outreach events.

Led by the Oaks of Leicester and Resonance, the event opened with "How Great is Our God" before praise groups, singers, rappers, a children's entertainer and evangelists took to the stage for a successful day of worship, praise and thanksgiving.

JLL Chairman Paul Hall opened the day's events by addressing those who didn't yet know Jesus. He proved that anyone in any circumstance could turn their lives around with Jesus' help by speaking of his own battle with alcoholism and how it led to him losing everything from his affluent business to his wife and two children.

His wife walked out, unable to cope, but his testimony proved that whilst many will walk in times of crisis, Jesus is faithful. The message was not lost on those in the audience who had experienced crisis and trauma and could relate to losing everything.

Pastor David Adams, in the midst of a multicultural multi-faith city, courageously asked how we can know "the one true God" when so many believe that they know God whilst subscribing to a different faith.

He challenged the gathering crowds to pray for forgiveness for past sins, and to make a commitment to follow Him, assuring those who did so would find out that God is for real.

"Do it wholeheartedly and mean it, and God will put His Holy Spirit into your spirit," he assured. "You cannot see electricity, but if you put your hands into an electric socket, you'll soon know it. The same with this powerful prayer," he challenged.

Some of the city's most established and dedicated street evangelists took to the stage to dance and to declare that "we worship a God who wants to heal us and who cares for us".

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, JLL's evangelists can be seen and heard at Leicester's clock tower in the city centre, worshipping, witnessing and praying for those who are sick or in need.

For those further from home, prayers were said for all those killed and those who lost loved ones ten years ago in the atrocities of 9/11. Prayers were also said for Libya and the unrest there, for Egypt and the attack on its Israeli embassy, and for Nigeria, where Christians are being hacked to death by extremists.

Paul Cleaver of Whetstone Baptist church, who was also the event's compere, spoke of people's tendency to ascribe labels and how eventually, we start to believe the labels we are given. "God didn't create us with those labels," he declared. "Whatever the world thinks of you, there's One who absolutely adores you.'

Resident rapper Gideon attracted cheers from the youth and brought the house down, as he chanted "Representing Christ" and asked the audience to respond with "you're never gonna stop me!" In another song, he repeatedly asked "Who is He?" to which the audience shouted unashamedly "Jesus Christ!"

The Oaks of Leicester gospel choir delivered many songs throughout the day with power and conviction including "Come Just As You Are" whilst Resonance balanced this with a quieter set including "I Will Wait for Peace to Come". Two praise groups - Free Spirit from Church Langton and the gospel choir from Leicester's Carems Church - helped to keep people on their feet and stopped shoppers in their tracks.

Children's entertainer Mr Twister was on hand throughout the day, mingling off stage with the children and dazzling them with his capacity to turn any balloon into anything a child wanted, as well as performing some tricks on stage which kept the children fascinated.

On a more serious note, Tina Edwards spoke of how she had been healed of the pain caused by pregnancy loss. She gave a touching testimony of how she miscarried one child, and aborted another, and how this chain of events led to her becoming a prisoner of jealousy, guilt and regret, until Jesus set her free.

Backed by The Oaks of Leicester, local singer Hannah Johnson performed a powerful Christian rendition of "Hallelujah", the song made famous by Alexandra Burke. "I'm reclaiming the song for Jesus!" she shouted to a wealth of enthusiastic cheers.

Local resident Maria Moseley from Leicester Christian Fellowship spoke of how she had been healed of osteoarthritis and excruciating pain. "I was robbed of 28 years of my life," she said, "But after constant prayers for healing, I can now walk, jump and dance. I feel half my age. I'm 63 and I feel 30!" she announced, to much applause. Meanwhile, a man in a wheelchair who was being prayed for in the audience got up and began walking around Humberstone Gate.

As in previous years, there was a strong family focus. From the lost and those yearning for something more to those looking for fun and enjoyment, the event was suitable for all ages and many expressed how wonderful it was to witness something in the city which brought together so many people in unity.

Healing rooms, a ministry tent and a prayer gazebo were situated close to the stage for those who needed spiritual support, guidance or personal prayer and the JLL Ministry Team were on hand all day, identifiable in the crowds by their t-shirts emblazoned with the words "Come Just As You Are" on the back.

Indeed, people came just as they were, and took just what they needed as yet another JLL event left many who attended feeling encouraged, inspired and wanting to know more about Jesus.

JLL Chairman Paul Hall, said, "It was a terrific day for all involved. Our hope is that those who enjoyed this event will find that same joy in coming to know and appreciate Jesus Christ through a local church and a fellowship."