An incredible vision

In 1882, a dynamic and unconventional Church of England curate called Wilson Carlile, had a passionate desire to encourage and enable ordinary people to live out the good news of Jesus Christ in such a way that others would be attracted to follow Him. This vision was thought of as "dragging the church into the gutter", but it inspired thousands of people to "turn the church inside out."

Within three years Church Army had  over 6,000 voluntary workers, and its meetings attracted over 3,000,000 people. By 1910, Church Army's work with the homeless and unemployed was helping 350,000 people each year and the church began to realise the valuable impact of Carlile's work which had by now caught the interest of the Royal family and senior politicians. Mission and evangelism in the UK and Ireland had been transformed through the efforts of ordinary men and women who were inspired to participate in an incredible vision to share faith through words and action.

For more on Church Army and Wilson Carlile see  About Us.

Our work today

Today Church Army remains an Anglican Society, yet works beyond church buildings with a focus on those with little knowledge of the Church and the gospel. Church Army Evangelists often work amongst the most broken, rejected and hurting of people in our society.

Our evangelists can be found reaching out to people in diverse and challenging situations across the UK and Ireland,and working in partnership with the local church and other organisations in rural, suburban and urban settings to develop appropriate and relevant forms of Christian community.

Click here to find out more about what our President Archbishop Desmond Tutu says about out work. 

Church Army Evangelists can be found reaching out to people in diverse and challenging situations across the UK and Ireland including: Working with women involved in prostitution, nightlife ministry, homeless projects, housing estates work, self harm prevention projects, engaging with children through a diverse range of activities, relating to younger people through music, drama and other creative projects, reaching out to older people through drops in centres and lunch clubs, helping those with drug & alcohol addictions, family breakdown prevention projects, ministering in supermarkets, prisons, schools, adventure centres, bus projects, cafe style churches, engaging with people via the internet and in so many other ways.

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