History of CARE

CARE has it's roots in the 1971 Nationwide Festival of Light which took place in Trafalgar Square on 25 September 1971.  The crowd in Trafalgar Square heard proclamations to the Government, the media and church leaders on issues of concern. Then they marched to Hyde Park. By early evening, 60,000 were present.

The need for ongoing work, research, guidance and campaigning was realised. Peter Hill and Steve Stephens laid the foundation for an expanding Christian witness. Colonel Orde Dobbie was the first Chairman, the Reverend Don Irving and the Reverend Eddie Stride followed. Christians in the arts, church, industry, media, trade unions and Parliament gave their support through a Council of Reference.

From March to September 1972 Land Aflame rallies were held across the country. A Nationwide Petition for Public Decency was organised. There were open-air Gospel music festivals. The London Festival for Jesus offered a Christian lifestyle teach-in with Gospel outreach and music. Time for Change In 1983 the Executive Committee took the decision to change the name of NFOL to CARE (Christian Action Research and Education). In 1988 CARE moved to 53 Romney Street in Westminster, nearer to the Houses of Parliament, and began to develop into the form in which it is found today.

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