By Rev Samuel Fitton
Minister of Kilskeery Free Presbyterian Church
In June 1872, Charles Haddon Spurgeon preached on the words of 1st Kings 18:40. In his introduction, he made the remark that “unholy compromises are the fashion of the day.” He went on to describe some of the specific issues facing biblical Christianity at that time. Although almost 154 years have passed since those words were uttered from the pulpit of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, nothing has changed. If anything, such unholy compromises are even more popular today!
It is the duty of a minister of the Gospel, as a watchman, to warn the people of God about such things lest they be led astray into error.
“But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.” (Ezekiel 33:6-7)
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2nd Timothy 4:1-2)
Therefore, the purpose of this article is to warn Christians about the “unholy compromises” of the upcoming March For Jesus that is to be held in Belfast on May 16th 2026. So, in considering this event, I want to set three questions before you:
I. WHAT IS MARCH FOR JESUS?
The official website describes it as follows: “March for Jesus Belfast is a large-scale, non-political, family-friendly public event celebrating the Christian faith. The event brings together churches and Christians from across the land in worship, prayer, and public testimony to exalt the Name of Jesus Christ in the heart of Belfast.”
This description immediately reveals the ecumenical nature of the event as it desires to bring churches and ‘Christians’ together for worship, prayer and public testimony. One advertising video by Pastor Ryan Penn of Island Church, Londonderry further encourages such unity and the setting aside of differences. This is the language of ecumenism, by which I mean the setting aside of biblical doctrine and separation in order to create a visible outward unity.
It is right that Christians should desire unity with fellow believers and such unity is wonderful to experience. David speaks of it in Psalm 133v1-3 which states “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.”
Although such unity should be the desire of all believers, yet I must emphasise that it cannot come at the price of biblical truth and practice. True biblical unity is not organisational conformity, emotional experience, or public religious cooperation. It is spiritual unity grounded in the truth of God’s Word, centred upon the Gospel of Christ, and expressed through obedience to Scripture.
One example is the Church in Jerusalem in Acts 2, following the events of the Day of Pentecost. Despite the fact that the fledgling Church was comprised of members with different personalities and from various cultures and nations, it was a Church that was united and serves as a model for the Church of Christ today.
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers… And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart…” (Acts 2:42,46)
You will also observe that they did not set doctrine aside in order to attain unity as so many do today! Therefore, doctrinal differences when it comes to the fundamentals of the faith cannot and must not be ignored. Neither can the Scriptural principles and precepts that govern the worship of God be set aside for the sake of unity.
March For Jesus fails on both counts for those who have denied the fundamentals of the faith are associated with it, and with regard to worship, the following videos provide examples of this unscriptural worship with its usage of CCM which seems more akin to a worldly rock concert.
Video of March for Jesus 2025 music
2nd video of March for Jesus 2025 music
II. WHO IS INVOLVED IN MARCH FOR JESUS
A brief examination of a handful of those who have organised, promoted, or been involved in these Marches, both in Belfast and also in Dublin will further prove that this event is an unholy compromise. This list is certainly not exhaustive, and a few minutes of research online, and especially on social media sites will reveal a host of participants and promoters from a multitude of backgrounds, including extreme Charismatics, Pentecostals, Elim, Contemporary churches and many others. But I just want to mention three examples:
1. John & Joanna Ahern
According to their church website, “John Ahern and Joanna Ahern are the Senior Pastors of All Nations Church, Dublin, Ireland.” That statement alone should raise the alarm for any Bible believer for the Scriptures are very clear that the office of pastor or elder is restricted by God to men only as shown by the following verses:
“Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” (1st Timothy 2:11-12)
“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach… One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity… (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)” (1st Timothy 3:2,4-5)
Yet the position of All Nations Church and the Aherns is that “There is no scriptural prohibition concerning women in ministry.” Additionally, they are Charismatic, and therefore in error when it comes to vital matters such as the Doctrine of The Holy Spirit.
Given that John and Joanna Ahern are among the main organisers of March For Jesus in Belfast, surely this is a cause for concern!
2. Church Of Ireland & Methodist Church
In the 2025 event, a Church of Ireland Bishop called David McClay participated in the ‘worship’ alongside Rev. Jim Rea, a former President of the Methodist Church of Ireland. Both men also recorded a number of videos that are still available online to promote the event in addition to actually participating. The continuing apostasy of both denominations has been well documented and the involvement of their clergy in this event serves as further proof of its ecumenical nature.
3. Roman Catholic Church
A further significant concern arises in relation to the involvement of Roman Catholic leadership with March for Jesus.
A video advertisement shared on the official March for Jesus social media page (18th September 2025) shows Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, publicly encouraging participation in the Dublin March. In the same clip, he also refers positively to John Ahern as a “good friend,” indicating a recognised relationship with the event’s leadership structure.
This public endorsement is not a minor detail. It represents visible cooperation between a Roman Catholic bishop and an initiative which presents itself as a united Christian witness event. The video can be viewed here:
Roman Catholic bishop endorses March for Jesus event
This link with the Roman Catholic Church is most concerning! The many unscriptural theological errors of Rome cannot be ignored. The Church of Rome has been proclaiming a false Gospel for centuries. It has taught salvation by works. For example, in the Roman Catholic Catechism Answer 1263 (Pg286), it states “By Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin…”
However, the Bible says “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
The false gospel of Rome and those who proclaim such a gospel are described by Paul in Galatians 1:8-9:
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
From these three examples (and there are many more that could be given!) it is evident that there are serious issues that cannot be ignored when it comes to those involved in March For Jesus!
III. WHAT SHOULD THE BIBLE BELIEVING CHRISTIAN DO ABOUT MARCH FOR JESUS
1. There Should Be A Prayerful Examination Of The Issue In The Light Of God’s Word
Our own thoughts, feelings and desires can very quickly serve to lead us astray. Therefore, we must always appeal to Scripture. The Word of God is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice, and therefore every movement, event, or initiative that claims Christian identity must be weighed carefully in its light.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1st John 4:1)
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1st Thessalonians 5:21)
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11)
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:20)
2. There Should Be A Separating From That Which Is Against God’s Word
Separation is a biblical command. The believer is to separate from those who teach false doctrine or engage in false worship. He is also to separate from any who associate with or endorse the teachers of false doctrine. A failure to practice biblical separation will destroy the purity of doctrine and worship. Where gospel truth is compromised, fellowship cannot be maintained without disobedience to God.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you…” (2nd Corinthians 6:14-17)
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” (2nd John 9-11)
3. There Should Be A Warning Of Others About The Dangers Of Disobeying God’s Word
The believer is not only to avoid error, but is also to protest against it. He should not remain silent. But instead he should seek to tell others and warn them lest they be deceived, and led astray into error.
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 3)
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” (Ephesians 5:11)
When the facts regarding the March For Jesus in Belfast are examined in the light of Scripture, it is discovered that this March is an “unholy compromise.” It is ecumenical. It is endorsed and supported by those who have rejected the teaching of Scripture, and it is characterised by doctrinal and practical confusion. Therefore, no Bible believing Christian who desires to obey and honour the Lord, should have anything to do with this event. They should not participate in it. They should not promote or endorse it. Quite simply, it is to be marked and avoided!
Rev. Samuel Fitton
Samuel.fitton@freepresbyterian.org
7th May 2026