Sylviane Fleury, Olivier Fleury, Mark Royal, Callan Slipper, Martin Hoegger
We were back in London, the great city where we had the privilege of meeting Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, at Lambeth Palace in 2018.
This time, our team, consisting of Sylviane and Olivier Fleury, founders of JC2033, Mark Williamson, JC2033 ambassador to the UK, and myself, had the opportunity to attend several memorable meetings. The first, particularly strategic, was with Churches Together, the Council of Churches in the United Kingdom.
Our meeting with two of their leaders took place in the Quaker building. This organization brings together 54 member churches, both “historic” and Pentecostal. At the head of the national organization are six presidents, with Callan Slipper as moderator. At his side that day was Bishop Mike Royal, general secretary and Pentecostal pastor for thirty-three years.
Celebrating: Celebrating Together
The three years of Jesus' ministry, culminating in 2033, represent a unique opportunity to celebrate new life. To reach non-Christians and attract media attention, something truly different will have to be invented.
During the meeting, Olivier Fleury explained that “celebrating” means first and foremost having a party. We must not shut ourselves away “in a stadium among Christians,” but be present for others. Callan Slipper strongly agreed.
The model of the Easter Parade in Australia or the countless street parties organized for the coronation of King Charles were inspiring: why not imagine something similar for the 2000th anniversary of the Resurrection of the “King of Kings”? Promoting such street parties would allow for an inclusive, joyful, and missionary celebration.
Vision and Opportunities: A Meeting with King Charles possible?
Callan Slipper insisted: “The main problem with ecumenism is the lack of vision. Everyone says it's essential, but few are really committed to it.”
He believes that a meeting with King Charles is possible, as he also defines himself as a “servant.” In fact, the theme of service marked his coronation. “If we do nothing, we will miss an opportunity,” he concluded.
Bishop Mike Royal, who was discovering JC2033 for the first time, was enthusiastic: "I'm really excited about it! " For him, 2033 is a wonderful opportunity to evangelize. He also recalled the importance of the participation of the Orthodox Churches, which are very present in England, and raised the sensitive issue of the date of Easter.
In 2025, Churches Together organized numerous celebrations to mark the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. Pentecostals, who sometimes distance themselves from traditional formulations, were delighted to discover the Nicene Creed because of its profoundly Christocentric character. It was a memorable experience!
Mike Royal encouraged everyone not to focus solely on the Western date of Easter in 2033, in order to move forward on this path of unity.
This wonderful meeting ended with a commitment from Callan Slipper: he wants to put the prospect of 2033 on the agenda of the presidents of Churches Together. In his view, everyone will agree with the three values of JC2033: Unity, Witness, and Celebration.
As part of the JC2033 initiative, we continued our visit to London. After meeting with the leaders of Churches Together, we met with three organizations active in British Christian life: the Salvation Army, the Methodist Church, and the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity. These exchanges revealed a strong common thread: the call to hold together social action and evangelism.
All three, each in their own way, remind us that Christian witness cannot be limited to one or the other. The proclamation of the Gospel takes shape in concrete acts of service, and social action is rooted in the good news of Christ's Resurrection.
Martin Hoegger
