There’s a coming revival and God is calling us to re-embrace Britain’s ancient paths. To save the future we need to go back to the past!
by Rev Chris Wickland
In 2018, I believe God gave me a significant prophetic word concerning the downfall of Theresa May, the unfolding of Brexit, and the restoration of some of Britain’s ancient spiritual paths, including the revival of monastic communities. (It can be heard on my YouTube channel). Since then, I have received further prophetic insights regarding a coming revival. These speak of a move of God in the UK that will blend the ancient with the modern, that calls us to return to the old, sacred paths of Britain in order to safeguard our spiritual future.
In response, I’ve spent the last seven years studying ancient Christianity and its history in the UK, seeking to understand what has been lost and what God may want to restore.
Today, we are witnessing the early stirrings of this new move of God. Though still embryonic, revival has begun. Statistics indicate that people aged 25 to 37 are returning to church and faith. Even more telling is where they are choosing to go: Catholic, Anglo-Catholic, or Pentecostal churches. Here we see two polarities: the rich, liturgical traditions of ancient Christianity and the experiential, Holy Spirit-filled worship of modern Pentecostalism. Yet both highlight key attributes of God — his holiness and his power. This trend affirms what I believe God has been revealing for years: he desires not division but unity — a fusion of tradition and revival, of the old and the new.
Statistics indicate that people aged 25 to 37 are returning to church and faith. Even more telling is where they are choosing to go: Catholic, Anglo-Catholic, or Pentecostal churches
The younger generation is less encumbered by the old prejudices. Thanks to social media, they are listening to and learning from voices across the divide. Young Protestants are engaging with Orthodox and Catholic content, and vice versa. There is hope in this unity of spirit. believe God wants to birth a unique Church in Britain — a Church that combines the strengths of the modern evangelical movement with the deep, historical roots of ancient faith, a Church that is thoroughly British in identity, stretching beyond the Reformation to the early centuries of Celtic Christianity. This won’t be a popular movement at first. Some will see it as regressive, while others will question its relevance. But for those who feel the call, it will make perfect sense.
It’s time to return to the ancient paths — to re-dig the spiritual wells that have long been filled in and to rebuild the spiritual foundations that have crumbled. I believe God cherished many of the ancient practices that once honoured his name in these isles — and he wants them back. These paths include traditions brought by the early Celtic Christians, such as the observance of Passover according to the Hebrew calendar and the celebration of the Sabbath. Tragically, in 664 AD, the Synod of Whitby led to the assimilation of Celtic Christian practices into Roman Catholicism.
While I understand the desire for unity, I believe it was also a great loss. There should have been a blending, not a subsuming of one into the other. I believe God wants a kind of “do-over” of the Synod of Whitby — and this time it will be a fusion of the Celtic and Roman traditions. This includes embracing both the ancient Christian calendar and aspects of the Jewish one. This, too, is part of blending the ancient with the modern.
I’ve spent the last seven years studying ancient Christianity and its history in the UK, seeking to understand what has been lost and what God may want to restore. A sacred return to the ancient ways, where the early light of British Christianity meets the quiet wisdom of the Christian Celtic faith, The faithful would gather in the hush of stone chapels and windswept hills
It would be a sacred return to the ancient ways, where the early light of British Christianity meets the quiet wisdom of the Christian Celtic faith. Festivals once kept by early believers would awaken again: the Passover, as honoured by the first-century Jewish Church; the Sabbath, held sacred on Saturday; and Sunday, the day of resurrection, embraced as the Lord’s Day — a time when the faithful would gather in the hush of stone chapels and windswept hills. Also other Christian festivals would be honoured, alongside the coming back to ancient Christian liturgy in our worship. Blended into this woven cord would be the strength of the modern charismatic Church. What a beautiful and heady mix it would be — one which I believe will make the Church strong and formidable for the days ahead.
Some will protest, quoting Scripture about the traditions of men nullifying the Word of God. But not all traditions are harmful. Those that uplift God’s Word and lead hearts into worship are good and holy. This is not setting down dogma, rather a framework which will need to be worked out and threshed out. It’s time to unlock the treasures of ancient British Christianity — its festivals, feast days, and rich liturgical heritage — while embracing the dynamism and power of the Holy Spirit evident in the modern Church.
God desires unity, not division. But this unity requires humility and joint agreement, something sorely missing at the Synod of Whitby. I believe this vision represents God’s prophetic will for Britain: a revival rooted in both our past and our future. This message won’t resonate with everyone, but for some, it will strike a deep chord. If it does, perhaps you are among those called to be part of this restoration.
God is moving. Will you answer the call?
To save the future, we must return to the past.
This, I believe, is God’s blessed hope for this green and pleasant land.
Rev Chris Wickland is Senior Pastor of Living Word Church Network, Fareham, Hampshire. He and his wife Tracey have five children and started a ‘prayer farm’ five years ago in order to help feed their community