The tickets contained no venue, no address, just the date and time along with instructions: get to Baker Street tube station for 6:15pm and find the girl in the orange coat reading a newspaper; she will give you further instructions. The adventure of faith had begun.

Outside the station stood a person chained to a lamppost singing Amazing Grace; further on a prisoner sat in a cage reading a Bible. People floated through the crowds wearing handcuffs. Each scene reflected the price that some people are prepared to pay to follow Jesus.

A bouncer stopped people at the door: Did you bring a Bible? No. Did anyone follow you? No. Finally through the door, the Church gathered; welcoming smiles, beautiful music and friendly faces.

This church building was simply a room. A room with black walls, a musty smell and a broken light yet there was freedom.

There were no chairs; instead we found a space on the floor.

There was no projector screen; instead there was a white sheet duct taped to the wall.

There was no bread or wine for communion; instead we shared grapes.

We passed-the-parcel singing We Are Family.

We said the Lord’s Prayer in complete darkness.

This was a church service like none I had ever experienced.

When the service ended we gathered outside to light Prayer Lanterns labeled Hope, Family, Share and Life, and watched with wonder as our Prayer Lanterns floated off into the night sky. As people wandered towards the station to head home, the path that had once been lined with scenes of persecution was now lined with candles; there is always light, no matter how dark it may seem.

So how do we support those in our family for whom Secret Church isn’t just for one night?

• Pray: we share their struggles, their dreams and their fears.
• Cry justice: sign petitions, campaign, lobby and add our voice.
• Give: whatever we have, whatever we can, to make their burdens lighter and to let others know of their story.
• Let them inspire us: Those who suffer for the gospel remind us that the Good News of Jesus is worth suffering for. Their stories show us that we cannot allow fear or mediocrity to prevent us from stepping out in faith and striving to see God’s Kingdom come here on Earth.

Acts 14:22

We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God