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- Britain has changed: should we mourn or celebrate?
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- Not all prayer looks the same - and that's okay
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- The Iran-Israel war and the church in Iran: A Christian reflection
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- A post assisted dying world: Three ways the church can prepare
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- 'You can’t bomb knowledge': Gospel & geopolitics in Iran
Comment
Britain has changed: should we mourn or celebrate?
“London has changed, and it’s out of my control”. Thoughts like this one often flit through my mind as I make my way through the bustle of the big city.
Although I wasn’t born in London, I have lived in the same East-end locale for more than 30 years. In this time I believe I have experienced the discomfort of change that would rival that of those who have moved across cities and regions. I have been witness to my friends and family’s growing irritation with the demographic - the general mess, disorder, crime and litter that comes with fast changing populations, the increased number of women in headscarves and men in traditional wear, and overwhelmed public services.
The curious case of the Club World Cup
The FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) is an international football competition – but it isn't just about showcasing the best football talent. It also sparks essential discussions about what we value in entertainment.
Although there have been some mismatches and empty seats this year, the tournament is still drawing big viewership numbers. This year, an impressive 1.6 million people tuned in, especially younger fans, with 34% of the audience aged 16-34.
The Iran-Israel war and the church in Iran: A Christian reflection
It has been hard to write a short report on the situation in Iran, due to the ongoing developments. But there is a very brief summary and analysis from a Christian view of what is happening among Iranians in general, but specifically, Iranian evangelical Christians.
In June 2025, Iran and Israel entered a short but intense conflict, known as the 12-Day-War. Israel started the war by striking nuclear targets. Those strikes were mostly precise. Civilian casualties were lower than feared, but inside Iran, fear increased, not from outside attack, but from the regime itself. The internet and phone communications were stopped, which made things very difficult for the general public and added to the fear levels.
The Iranian government, built on the doctrine of Wilayat al-Faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist), sees itself not just as a political power, but as a religious authority. Its leaders believe they are preparing the world for the Mahdi’s return (Mahdi is the last promised Imam of the Shi’ite Islam). This belief is not fringe; it is central to how they operate. That is why the regime thrives on crisis, especially with Israel and the West. And when Israel or the West starts to fight, it fuels their rhetoric. And when crisis comes, the people suffer.
Christians inside Iran live with ongoing pressure. The police have increased their presence in many areas. Helicopters are flown over residential neighbourhoods as a show of power and intimidation. Several Iranians were arrested and executed recently, and broadcast on the national media, accused of being Israeli or American spies.
Many hoped that Israel’s attacks would lead to a regime collapse. There were many in the general public who were celebrating that this oppressive Islamic regime would be uprooted once and for all. But that hasn’t happened. Now, many feel more hopeless than before. Fear has kept people from protesting, and fear keeps many Christians silent.
One young believer said, “We can’t even meet to worship. We have not been able to do that for years. How can I have close fellowship, being discipled by a faithful pastor. How can I find a Christian spouse? We are isolated.” The lack of physical church gatherings has been and continues to be deeply affecting the community - not only spiritually, but relationally.
Spiritually, the evangelical Church in Iran is weary. True believers still exist. They read the Word. They pray. But most now interact through encrypted chats and online streams. The fellowship of the saints is fractured. For many years most haven't been able to meet in underground house churches; fear of surveillance has driven gatherings underground - so deep, they struggle to even happen.
Single believers, young men and women, struggle in heart-breaking ways. “How do I meet someone to marry?” one brother asked. “There’s no evangelical, non-Charismatic church to go to. There’s nowhere to be seen.” Marriage, community, spiritual growth, all feel just out of reach.
Western media often declares that Iran is experiencing a great Christian awakening. We rejoice at every soul turned to Christ - but we must be honest. At the cost of being called a pessimist, we must still ask: what kind of Christianity is it? What fruit does it produce?
Not every profession of faith bears fruit. Many seek Christian identity for safety, status, or access to Western aid. The marks of true discipleship - repentance, holiness, love for Scripture, and evangelism - are weak and often absent.
Many who convert while in Iran or as refugees fall away once comfort and citizenship arrive. This has been the experience of many churches in the West who have welcomed Iranian refugees.
It’s easy to be encouraged by the headlines. But the real work of God is often quiet, painful, and unseen. We must discern the difference between popularity and perseverance.
Please continue to pray, but pray with understanding. Rejoice in genuine fruit, and ask for discernment in supporting those doing deep, lasting gospel work.
By God’s grace, there are a handful of evangelical leaders, churches and organisations, such as Parsa Trust that are seeking to produce resources to explain the gospel and sound doctrine.
For example, the Parsa Trust team has been translating many resources into Persian (Farsi). Much literature has now become available and is being used in small groups. We have just translated and released Radical Discipleship by Pastor Jonas Hensworth and How Should Men Lead Their Homes? by Dr. Joel R. Beeke—now available digitally and in audio.
Through the Parsa Ketab app (iOS, Android, Web), Iranian believers now have access to Bibles, classic evangelical and Reformed works, and theological tools. And over 2,000 biblical sermons on SermonAudio, and social media platforms, are now reaching thousands.
Sadly, we do not have well taught leaders in Iran, but we are seeking to do what we can to provide resources from outside.
This is our part: feed the scattered sheep in Iran. Build up those who truly hunger. Plant roots that will endure.
If the regime falls, the church must be ready to rise - not with power, but with gospel zeal and purity. If the regime endures, the church must be ready to suffer - not with fear, but with faith and courage.
Either way, the call remains the same: preach Christ, make disciples, teach sound doctrine, live holy lives. Ultimately we pray that the Lord would raise qualified labourers, to establish biblical and orderly churches, who will continue the work of the Great Commission.
Let us not measure the church in Iran by numbers or noise. Let us be careful of the news outlets and the media. They have their agenda. Let us measure the church in Iran by truth, by fruit, and by faithfulness under fire.
The saints in Iran are sometimes weary, but have not lost heart. Christ is at work, even in silence. Christ is building His true church. May we join Him in what He is doing, not what we wish were true.
“Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body” (Hebrews 13v3).
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6v9). May Christ purify His Church. May He save His people. And may He come quickly
Not all prayer looks the same - and that's okay
We’ve all been told stories of the great saints of prayer. You know, those worthy people who got up early in the morning and prayed for hours, without a cup of coffee and before breakfast.
We’ve all, at some point, probably felt guilty that we can’t pray that way. But dig a little deeper into those stories and we will also find lives just like ours - fragile and flawed.
A post assisted dying world: Three ways the church can prepare
On Friday, MPs backed the legalisation of assisted dying in England and Wales. Although the House of Lords may tweak and amend the legislation, it looks all but certain that assisted dying will become legal in some form in the UK.
Evangelicals have been members of a broad coalition of groups that have spent the last few months tirelessly fighting for this bill to be defeated. And many of us have prayed without ceasing that this day would never come.
'You can’t bomb knowledge': Gospel & geopolitics in Iran
Over the weekend, the US conducted bombing strikes by air on three sites of nuclear infrastructure in Iran.
President Trump lauded the operation as a "spectacular military success" against the "world’s number one state sponsor of terror", claiming that Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities had been "completely and totally obliterated".
How do we reach postgraduates with the gospel?
With a long history of undergraduate Christian Unions in the UK, it is rather less difficult to start a workplace Christian group in a university setting than it might be elsewhere.
After two years as a prayer meeting, the Christian Postgraduate and Staff Network (CPS) was formed back in 2016 and puts on events appropriate to university culture, to reach colleagues and encourage Christians.
What Crystal Palace taught me about revival
I’m a massive football fan and I hail from South London. I personally support AFC Wimbledon, but it was a real joy to see another team from my side of the river, Crystal Palace, lift the FA Cup and in the process win the first major trophy in their 100+ years of existence.
Their fans had waited so long for a moment like this, had believed it might never come and when it did, what a moment it was. On a beautiful May afternoon, at a sun-kissed Wembley Stadium, they beat the overwhelming favourites Manchester City 1-0 through a goal by one of their star players, Eberechi Eze.
The rise of Reform: How do we restore trust?
The Reform Party’s current surge in support is rooted in deep public distrust: towards MPs, government and institutions.
Distrust is not new. It manifested itself for years as voter apathy. But it’s now shifting into anger and activism, driven by a decade of acrimonious Brexit debates, economic turmoil and political scandal. Maybe politicians are no better or worse than they ever were, but 24/7 media and the constant attention of those living their lives on social media means that there is much more exposure of their failings today.
Church pastor: The vital ministry of reminding
“I think my role has been and will continue to be Chief Explainer Officer or Chief Repeater Officer. I would just have to keep repeating the vision or mission. ‘Why are we here? What are we doing?’”[1]
Those were the words of David Cancel, the Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of software development company Drift.
Keep praying now after the assisted suicide vote!
It is deeply disappointing that MP’s have today voted in favour of the bill to legalise assisted suicide.
This is another sad day for our country following closely the vote earlier in the week to decriminalise abortion for women up to the moment of birth. It is sign of the growing disregard for Christian ethics and a reformed pseudo-morality built around the idols of autonomy and utility and crowdsourced values.
Assisted suicide backed: A dark day for the vulnerable
Just moments ago, MPs voted 314 to 291 in favour of the assisted suicide bill. Lives will be needlessly lost as a result.
Despite the many flaws with the legislation, intense criticism of the process and the fervent prayers of God’s people, state-sanctioned suicide will become a reality from 2029 onwards.
How can we respond following the assisted dying vote?
It’s hard to put into words the disappointment and concern we feel as we hear the outcome of the vote on the assisted dying bill in Westminster today.
This dangerous legislation will totally change the landscape of healthcare and put vulnerable people at huge risk.
Of mantas & men
A rather charming story was reported in a national newspaper recently. The article was about a film called The Last Dive, documenting the extraordinary relationship between a now 83-year-old American sailor and ex-Hell’s Angel, Terry Kennedy, and a Pacific manta ray he names Willy.
For those not familiar with them, manta rays are large sea creatures (in this case six metres wide). They also have the largest brain-to-body ratio of any fish, and apparently can recognise themselves in a mirror.
Israel, Iran and Bible prophecy of the end times
After Israel’s recent bombing of Iran, a friend told me about a preacher who asserted that Russia might be the Gog and Magog of the Book of Ezekiel, that Iran might be one of the hostile nations pictured by the prophets, and that all of this just might be pointing toward the imminence of the literal apocalypse.
“Are we going to do this again?” my friend said.
Loving your pro-abortion neighbour after THAT vote
Last night MPs debated the Crime and Policing Bill, and voted by a majority of 242 to decriminalise abortion at any gestation time when a woman has acted in relation to her own pregnancy.
I hope it goes without saying that I have immense compassion for women faced with this impossible decision. The cases of late term abortions in the news recently are deeply sad – often stories of desperation, trauma, and fear.
Three lies of British culture
I am not a social scientist, statistician, or expert in trend analysis. I have no qualifications in psychology or anthropology. I am a simple pastor in the Welsh Valleys who has made a cultural observation, from my own experience, that has captured some attention.
There are three lies that British culture promotes, all of which sound lovely, and we all wish they were true.
This abortion law change is evil, pure and simple
MPs have approved the biggest change to abortion law in England and Wales for 50 years.
It was done via an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill. If this comes as a surprise to you, it is because the proposed change has received very little in way of proper scrutiny, let alone parliamentary debate. Coming the same week as an expected vote on assisted suicide legislation, it could be a profoundly dark few days for the UK.
Three vital ways to support your Youth and Children's Worker
Back in April, I started writing a little three part series for en looking at the role of the traditional youth and children's worker.
We started by establishing that there was a role to be played by the church in teaching youth and children and that it wasn't all the parents' job. Then we looked at some reasons why I believe it is a very legitimate thing to do to appoint someone to do that role in a church. As we finish, I've got just three thoughts for churches as they think about employing and supporting someone in this role, based on everything we've looked at so far.
Eric Liddell 101 years on: missing the point
Cast your minds back to last year and you will remember the extensive coverage of the 100th anniversary of Christian Eric Liddell’s glorious victory at the Paris 1924 Olympic Games.
As I wrote last summer as the games returned to Paris, Liddell, a down-to-earth Scottish runner from Edinburgh, aimed to win gold medals in the 100 and 200 metre sprint races, only to discover that the 100m heats were due to be held on a Sunday.