Thousands joined the March for Jesus in Dublin on Saturday, with organisers estimating up to 12,000 attendees.
Starting at the Garden of Remembrance and ending at Dáil Éireann, the event brought together individuals, families, and community groups for a day of worship, joy, and unity.
Organisers branded the event as a "historic walk of faith".
Speaking to Premier, Pastor John Ahern from All Nations Church Dublin, said seeing that many people united for Jesus was "unprecedented".
He said: "I think it’s [also] an indication of the hunger that exists in our generation for reality, for God, for something beyond this superficial, 'woke' culture that’s been rammed down everyone’s throats through so many arenas.
"There’s no substance, meaning, or happiness to be found in those ideologies or ideas, and I think many of them have actually reached their legitimate end. I truly believe we’re going to see a turning back to God, to truth, and to objective reality. I also believe we’re in the early days of revival and awakening, because, as Jesus said, 'Man does not live by bread alone'.”
Participants filled the streets holding signs that read 'Jesus is our King' and 'Jesus changes everything', with organisers describing it as “a moment to be remembered in Dublin and beyond.”
The event, which saw interdenominational Christian faiths come together, had been promoted by the Catholic Bishop of Waterford, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan.
He said that the march would “show and shine the light of Jesus Christ,” and said that participants would march to Dáil Éireann, where “so many very sad decisions have been taken over the last few years – decisions which are not according to the mind of God.”
Ireland is divided into the predominantly Catholic Republic of Ireland and predominantly Protestant Northern Ireland, a division that has been a longstanding source of political tension.
Pastor John continued: "I think people truly want to move on from that, and I’ve certainly seen a lot of healing between North and South and, more broadly, between Great Britain and Ireland. At the end of the day, we’re closest neighbours, with a shared history, whether we like it or not. Not all of it may be good, but a lot of it is. I think we need to look at things more redemptively and recognise, as I said, that there’s more that unites us than divides us.
"I believe the church can play a prophetic role in shining a light and leading the way. That’s also my hope with the March for Jesus."
The March for Jesus began in 1987 in London, UK, uniting church groups and worship leader Graham Kendrick. Initially drawing 15,000 participants, it quickly spread across the UK and globally. By 1994, it became a worldwide event with 12 million participants in 170 countries. In 2019, 3 million gathered in São Paulo, Brazil, marking one of the largest Christian events globally.