Graham Rowles
Paul Eddy / en staff
Date posted: 30 Nov 2025
One of Bristol's most loved and respect Baptist Lay Pastors has died, aged 89. Graham Rowles played a pivotal role in churches and mission for over 50 years.
Among other things, he arranged for satellite broadcasts of Billy Graham missions elsewhere in the UK to be beamed live to audiences in Bristol. He was also greatly involved with a Luis Palau mission. Rowles was instrumental in bringing into being the South Bristol Christian Centre, was a lay preacher at East Street Baptist Church, and Lay Pastor at Dundry Baptist Chapel.
Is nostalgia fossilising your church's ministry?
Jonny Pollock
Date posted: 6 Nov 2025
The other week I watched the new Jurassic Park movie with our eldest son, and as soon as the movie finished (and it was ok by the way!) a curious thought entered my head. How many times has Jurassic Park been rebooted since the first movie in 1993?
There was the original, then the remake, now another reboot, and never mind the kids' Netflix series. I definitely think that velociraptors have now lost their sheen. I remember vividly watching that first movie and yet it has been rebooted more times than I have renewed my passport!
Exclusive: Gospel Coalition UK set to go ahead
en staff
Date posted: 9 Dec 2025
A UK Gospel Coalition is set to launch in 2026, Evangelicals Now can exclusively reveal today.
Speaking to en, some of the organisers outlined their vision, passion and plans for the organisation, which will aim to bring together Reformed, complementarian evangelicals from the four home-nations and from across denominational groupings.
Terry Puttick
en staff
Date posted: 9 Dec 2025
Tributes have been paid to Terry Puttick, a London City Missioner, who has died.
Writing on X, Graham Miller, LCM CEO, wrote: “Loyalty, love, selflessness, good news, humour and perseverance were visible in all that Terry did.
Review: 'Blue Letter Bible' versus 'Logos'
Paul Jackson
Date posted: 12 Jan 2026
I was inspired by Jordan Brown’s round-up of Bible apps (see en article here) and wanted to make a further, more specific, contribution to the debate in terms of Logos and Blue Letter Bible.
As a middle-aged Christian, I have been using Bible software since the days of CD-ROMs! Bible software has helped me craft numerous Bible studies and sermons.
news in brief
Taiwan: Leaders unite
The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) was one of several religious groups represented by faith leaders at a pro-freedom event in Taipei. Representatives from several religious groups convened in the Taiwanese capital to consider the role of faith groups when it comes to “security and resilience”, according to China Aid News.
The event, co-hosted by the PCT, alongside China Aid and the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE), took place against a backdrop of a recent crackdown on Christianity, and featured contributions from representatives from Lithuania, Singapore and the IGE, amongst others, calling for freedom and democracy to be protected.
Reading the Bible, with no fuss, bells or whistles
Jordan Brown
Date posted: 7 Jan 2026
Website Review
Zero Bible is a refreshingly simple, no-fuss online Bible website that’s perfect for anyone wanting quick access to Scripture. The website feels clean and minimalist: you pick a book, chapter and verse, then dive straight into the text. It doesn’t overwhelm you with flashy features or ads – just the Bible, plain and clear.
Read review
Venezuela's evangelicals: 'It's time to fast and pray'
en staff
Date posted: 5 Jan 2026
Venezuelan evangelical leaders are calling believers in the country to a week of fasting and prayer after President Trump's dramatic intervention in their nation's life.
In a statement issued by the Evangelical Council of Venezuela (known by its Spanish abbreviation, CEV), its directors state: "The Church is called to be a community and a space of hope, comfort, and spiritual strength. In the midst of uncertainty, gathering to pray, sing, affirm the faith, and proclaim the Word of God is an act of trust in God and a source of encouragement for many.
AI and faith converge in Silicon Valley
Emily Pollok
Date posted: 4 Jan 2026
Christianity and tech appear to be converging alongside the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and the questions it’s raising for developers in Silicon Valley.
Prominent figures in the tech world like Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and Palantir, and former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, have both spoken out recently about their Christian beliefs, particularly in the context of technological breakthroughs such as AI.
‘The last two years have been the most encouraging... of the past 30 years’
John Woods
Date posted: 13 Nov 2025
en Reviews Editor John Woods speaks to John Stevens about his time thus far serving with the FIEC.
en: You have been serving as National Director of the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches (FIEC) for 15 years. What was you first experience of the FIEC?
Church: Is big really beautiful?
Adrian Reynolds
Date posted: 2 Jan 2026
When it comes to church, is big really beautiful?
It rather depends on what you mean by that. There are some great things that larger churches can do that smaller churches only dream of. On the other hand, those of us who serve in smaller congregations – and I include myself – know the value of intimacy and connection that you have to fight for amongst greater numbers.
Church Mission Society CEO resigns after six years
en staff
Date posted: 29 May 2025
Alastair Bateman, CEO of Church Mission Society (CMS), has resigned from his post and announced he will step down at the end of July 2025 after six years, saying: “I believe the time is right.”
Reflecting on his time at CMS, Alastair said: “Serving in this community – so deeply committed to following Jesus, rooted in prayer, and bearing the fruits of the Spirit – has been the privilege of a lifetime.”
everyday theology
'Lord, help me...'
Michael Reeves
Date posted: 30 Dec 2025
In the gospel accounts of both Matthew and Mark, Jesus’s rebuke of the Pharisees for their neglect of their hearts (Matt.15v10-20; Mark7v14-23) is immediately followed by His encounter with the Canaanite/ Syrophoenician woman (Matt.15v21-28; Mark 7v24-30). The juxtaposition of the woman next to the Pharisees is telling, for she lacks the qualities they value – yet she has the qualities that Jesus values and they lack.
Not only is she a Gentile; she is a Canaanite, of the traditional enemies of Israel. “Cursed be Canaan,” declared Noah in Genesis 9v25. The book of Zechariah ends with the thundering denouncement that on the day of the Lord there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the Lord Almighty (Zech.14v21). Yet, having heard of Jesus, she seeks Him out for help, showing a startlingly perceptive appreciation of Jesus’s identity. “Lord, Son of David,” she calls Him (Matt.15v22).
Tapani Simojoki
en staff
Date posted: 27 Dec 2025
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of England (ELCE) held its 71st Annual Synod from November 14-15 in Tottenham, north London, during which Tapani Simojoki was installed as Chairman, and the church continued work towards a new structure and name change. The synod theme was “The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength” (Nehemiah 8v10).
The denomination hopes to rename itself the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United Kingdom (ELC-UK) to better reflect its presence in the country. It has about 20 congregations and missions, and is a member of the International Lutheran Council, grounded in the authority of Scripture.
Christmas evangelism in the Welsh valleys
John-Edward Funnell
Date posted: 25 Dec 2025
Christmas is a unique time of year where popular culture seems to marry with the Christian experience. For just one month, the stigma of association with the local church is gone. The most hardened atheists decorate their homes and exchange gifts in celebration of the birth of the God they do not believe in.
December is the time that our otherwise secular society loves a little bit of Jesus, something that we at Noddfa Church capitalise on every year.
a Jewish Christian perspective
Moments of grace in Jewish evangelism
Joseph Steinberg
Date posted: 1 Nov 2025
I am so thankful to God for what has been a very busy and fruitful summer of outreach to Jewish people.
In my last column I wrote about the plans our mission (IMJP.org) had for summer outreaches in Budapest, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, and London. Now, with these behind us, I am thrilled to share the fruit of those efforts. Once again, God is faithful!
Preachers with a limp - your views
Date posted: 21 Dec 2025
Dear Editor,
I thank God for the life of Terry Puttick, whose promotion to glory was announced in the December print edition of en [and also published online here]. Terry was my team leader and Director at London City Mission for over ten years. He was a man of passion, compassion and wisdom, with a deep love for the lost.
Street evangelists affected by Birmingham ban
Lydia Houghton
Date posted: 14 Nov 2025
Street preachers in Birmingham have adjusted their evangelistic strategies to comply with a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) that came into force earlier this year (see this en article).
The PSPO focuses on the amplification of noise. Evangelists have ceased using PA systems or have chosen to operate outside of the area protected by the order.
news in brief
China: Christians released after torture
Eleven Christians in Shanxi have been released after facing over two weeks of imprisonment and torture. The believers were arrested during a raid on a Sunday worship service at Taiyan Xuncheng Reformed Church and forced to sit in the sleep-depriving ‘tiger chair’, causing Preacher An Yankui to describe the prison as a “spiritual testing ground”.
An Yankui told China Aid of how he was able to preach the gospel to their captors throughout the ordeal, and debate ideas of law, morality and faith. The believers were eventually released, 15 days after their arrest.
Calum MacLeod
Luke Randall
Date posted: 17 Dec 2025
The Free Church of Scotland has named Calum Iain MacLeod as the Moderator Designate for its 2026 General Assembly. Brought up on the isle of Scalpay, Harris, he has served as the minister of congregations in Barvas and Back, on Lewis, before serving Ferintosh and Resolis Free Church in the Black Isle, where he has worked since 2019.
Macleod, who has also been a member of the Free Church Mission Board and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said: “It has been my privilege to serve the Church in various congregations over the years. It is a great honour to be nominated as Moderator-Designate of the 2026 General Assembly.”
In war’s shadow: Spiritual welfare on the frontlines
SASRA
Date posted: 11 Nov 2025
Up and down the country today, Tuesday November 11th, Remembrance Day, just as they did on Sunday, many people will honour those servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives in previous wars and conflicts so that we could be free and could live in peace.
Not only must we remember those who fought and died, but also those who brought the spiritual courage and hope necessary for victories, amidst the suffering.
In a divided world, what does unity look like?
Jason Roach
Date posted: 16 Dec 2025
One of my cousins was killed by a stray bullet. He was not part of a gang but got caught in the crossfire of gang warfare. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time, in areas where postcodes have a kind of protected status, can be lethal.
The council estates my church serves have similar challenges: one area will be home to some but an exclusion zone to others. One significant factor is an inordinate loyalty to a certain place; when place gives you your ultimate sense of security, you’ll go to surprising lengths to protect it.
FIEC pastors
Date posted: 15 Dec 2025
Dear Editor,
Thanks as ever for the recent print issue of Evangelicals Now.
Clinging by your fingertips?
You’ve got to hand it to Jude; we may not know much about him, but he could certainly could knock out a good doxology when he needed to. Sure, being inspired by the Holy Spirit has got to help, but of all the New Testament doxologies the one that Jude concludes his mini-letter with is probably my favourite.
For the next few editions of the end word we’re going to be looking at New Testament endings, beginning with Jude’s sign-off piece.