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NATIONAL SUMMIT REVIEW 2026
8-9 June 2026 |
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WE HAD AN AMAZING TIME AT THE 2026 GATHER SUMMIT IN OXFORD. |
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WHAT'S BEEN YOUR HIGHLIGHT FROM THE SUMMIT? |
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“The networking, hearing the stories, it’s just so inspirational”
– Steve Prince - Reading
“To be in God’s presence together and to see what He’s doing is wonderful”
– Anita Prince - Reading |
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“I’ve loved meeting people who are pursuing the same call to unity in different places, discovering common challenges, common successes as well, and through that gaining a whole load of wisdom”
– Steve Jones - Oxford |
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“The ministry from Dr Sarah Williams, just the focus on the history of the church has given me a greater appreciation for the future of the church”
– Dave Wade - Lincon
“The arts, being able to watch the dance and to have been able to be part of the worship, it’s just been absolutely stunning”
– Sian Wade - Lincoln
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“It’s been brilliant to be able to be very real about the pain of the city over years, but out of that to be inspired with fresh hope to go for it again”
– Roger Allan - Bristol |
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“The mix of the creative aspect of sharing the gospel, of engaging with people. It just stirred up that it’s not just the music and the drama but there’s a whole lot of gifting that God has gifted people”
– Tani Omideyi - Liverpool
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A REFLECTION ON TWO DAYS OF UNITY, PRAYER, AND SHARED MISSION
Over two inspiring days in Oxford, leaders from churches, charities, ministries, and civic initiatives from across the UK gathered together for the Gather Movement Summit 2026: ONE LOVE.
Hosted at The King’s Centre, Oxford, the Summit created space for deep connection, honest conversation, worship, creativity, prayer, and practical collaboration around the future of unity movements across our nations.
At this time of intense fragmentation and division in our society, the Summit brought a fresh vision for oneness and unity and to make a prophetic statement that we as the church will choose a different way. |
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Together we explored three central themes:
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Unity as a Foundation
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Unity as a Centre
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Unity with Overflow
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Across the mainstage sessions, seminars, prayer ministry, and informal conversations, a strong sense emerged that God is calling His Church into deeper oneness – not simply agreement, but genuine partnership, friendship, humility, and shared mission for the sake of our towns, cities, and communities.
One of the great strengths of the Summit was the diversity of voices represented. Leaders from over 60 local unity movements, churches, charities, and national organisations shared stories, challenges, and practical wisdom from their contexts. Delegates reflected on everything from prayer strategies and civic engagement to social action mapping, poverty reduction, systems leadership, and long-term planning for place-based collaboration.
We were especially grateful for the contribution of our partners and exhibitors, including, MAF, Bible Society, CAP and Green Pastures, and, whose presence and input enriched the conversations throughout the event. Their commitment to serving communities, equipping churches, and building collaborative mission strongly resonated with the heart of the Summit. |
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Throughout the two days there were countless moments of encouragement:
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New relationships being formed
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City and regional leaders connecting with one another
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Practical ideas being shared
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Churches and organisations exploring collaboration
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And many meaningful times of prayer and ministry
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As Gather Movement continues to support unity movements in more than 150 towns and cities across the UK, the Summit served as a powerful reminder that collaboration rooted in prayer, relationship, and shared purpose remains deeply significant in this moment for our nation.
Thank you to every delegate, speaker, seminar leader, volunteer, partner, exhibitor, and member of the team who helped make the Summit possible.
We are deeply grateful and full of expectation for what comes next.
Recordings of all the mainstage presentations will be available on our website soon… |
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We are incredibly grateful to all of our Summit partners and exhibitors who helped make Gather Movement Summit 2026 possible. Each organisation brought unique insight, experience, resources, and encouragement to the gathering, reflecting the richness and diversity of the wider Church and Christian community across the UK and beyond.
From supporting churches and communities, to tackling poverty, equipping leaders, strengthening mission, and serving some of the world’s most vulnerable people, these organisations are doing remarkable work in many different contexts. We encourage you to explore their ministries, connect with their teams, and find out more about how they are serving and resourcing the Church.
Below you’ll find a brief overview of each organisation, along with links to their websites and resources. |
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Working in partnership with hundreds of other Christian and relief organisations, MAF enables practical help, physical healing and spiritual hope to be delivered to some of the world’s most remote and inaccessible communities, including refugee camps, which are effectively “nameless cities”. |
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We translate the Bible and make it accessible in people's heart languages. We bring it into public spaces where its voice can be heard. We tell its stories and encourage people who've never thought the Bible was for them to explore it for themselves. |
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Poverty destroys lives. It robs people of joy, hope and opportunities. That’s why we’ve been advocating for, and supporting people experiencing debt and poverty since 1996. For 30 years, friendly, local churches have helped tens of thousands of people find a way out of poverty and into a new future. |
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We provide a home and support to people facing homelessness across the UK.
Together with our local Christian partners, we offer a secure home and compassionate support, seeing hundreds of lives changed each year. |
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Bringing freedom from modern slavery
Working in the UK, USA, Australia, Ethiopia and Uganda to bring freedom from human trafficking and modern slavery by identifying victims, supporting survivors and preventing exploitation.
Could your city work towards becoming a slave-free city? |
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Together, we hope for a society where no family feels alone, and every child has a home where they can flourish.
We believe the Church is central to this vision. |
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One of the exciting opportunities highlighted during the Summit was the City Leaders Training Programme – a new Gather initiative designed to equip and support leaders serving unity movements, churches, and collaborative initiatives across towns and cities.
Launching in September 2026, the programme will bring together emerging and experienced leaders from across the UK for monthly online training, mentoring, coaching, and in-person connection.
Participants will explore key themes including:
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leadership skills
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civic engagement
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governance
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social action, faith sharing
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theology of city transformation
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developing a practical long-term vision
The programme is aimed at leaders serving unity movements, churches, and collaborative city initiatives, helping strengthen those navigating the opportunities and challenges of place-based leadership today. |
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Our Vision is to see a unified Church working together across every city and town, to see social, cultural and spiritual transformation across the UK. We are grateful to God for how far the Movement has come but we still have a long way to go.
Could you, or your unity group, help us to deliver this vision by becoming a Gather Movement Supporter?
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