UK & Ireland

Latest news in brief
CEEC director 'encouraged' after Synod elections

CEEC director 'encouraged' after Synod elections

Lydia Houghton
Lydia Houghton
Date posted: 23 Oct 2026

The national director of the Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) says he is "greatly encouraged" by the number of orthodox candidates that have been elected to General Synod.

John Dunnett, who himself has been elected in the Diocese of Chelmsford, said: "The 2026 General Synod elections have been the most hotly contested in recent years – a reflection of the deep divisions which sadly afflict the Church of England at this time.

Surrogacy reform calls are rebuffed amid ethical concerns

Surrogacy reform calls are rebuffed amid ethical concerns

Nicola Laver
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 23 Oct 2026

MPs have opposed calls to fast-track surrogacy reforms – despite a petition signed by more than 113,000 people.

The rebuttal is in part because of mounting concerns about wider ethical issues around surrogacy, with the number of babies being born in this way rising steadily.


New course focuses on disciple-making

New course focuses on disciple-making

Holly Price
Holly Price
Date posted: 22 Oct 2026

Every church leader wants to help people grow as disciples of Christ. But no church leader has the capacity to give everyone in their congregation the kind of ongoing, timely and personal attention that Jesus gave the Twelve.

How can this kind of relational disciple-making that was so central to Jesus’ ministry become the joy of the many rather than the privilege of the few?

Addiction issues? There is help, says ex-businessman

Addiction issues? There is help, says ex-businessman

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies
Date posted: 22 Oct 2026

A former business executive who found faith in Jesus while in rehab is urging churches in the UK to respond to addiction with greater compassion.

Ervin Lee is co-founder of the From Beer to the Bible website and podcast, and also of Hampton Ministries, which aims to help young adults struggling with behavioural and substance abuse issues.

Ligonier: 1,000 gather for ‘serious Biblical teaching’

Ligonier: 1,000 gather for ‘serious Biblical teaching’

Nicola Laver
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 22 Oct 2026

More than 1,000 pastors, church leaders and believers from across 28 countries attended this year’s Ligonier Ministries UK Conference at Westminster Central Hall in the final week of September. Among the countries represented were Canada, Denmark, Italy, Germany, Lithuania, Netherlands, Romania, Singapore, South Africa and South Korea.

The overarching topic was “Chosen by God” – His sovereignty, our assurance in Christ, and the call to holiness. Michael Reeves spoke on “The Golden Chain of Redemption” (Romans 8v28-30), emphasising that even when life seems to spin out of control, God remains on the throne of grace. Sinclair Ferguson preached on God’s sovereign mercy (Romans 9v14-24) and that dependence on God’s sovereign choice in salvation “produces not only humility but stability” in the Christian life.

£40m Christian landmark near Birmingham on track

£40m Christian landmark near Birmingham on track

Emily Pollok
Emily Pollok
Date posted: 21 Oct 2026

Plans are moving ahead for the creation of Europe’s largest Christian landmark, which will be erected near Birmingham.

The first section of the "Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer" has been completed at a purpose-built factory in Portugal. It is the first of 188 concrete segments that will make up the massive Möbius strip, which will be erected in Coleshill, near Birmingham. 

Time to ban pimping websites says inquiry

Time to ban pimping websites says inquiry

CARE Northern Ireland
CARE Northern Ireland
Date posted: 20 Oct 2026

Northern Ireland should set the agenda again in tackling sexual exploitation by banning all websites advertising prostitution, according to a new report.

Hidden in plain sight was published today (Tuesday 20 October 2026) by the Northern Ireland Assembly All-Party Group on Modern Slavery and Commercial Sexual Exploitation.

Art opens the door to faith at Worthing church

Art opens the door to faith at Worthing church

Emily Pollok
Emily Pollok
Date posted: 19 Oct 2026

A Worthing church got creative in sharing the Christian message last month by participating in their community’s art event - welcoming more than 240 visitors through its doors.

In September, Maybridge Community Church contributed to the annual Worthing Art Trail by transforming their church building into a free gallery space and exhibiting work by more than 20 local artists over two days. They called the exhibition "Maybridge Creatives".

Highbury Centre to close London guest house

Highbury Centre to close London guest house

Lydia Houghton
Lydia Houghton
Date posted: 18 Oct 2026

The Highbury Centre’s Aberdeen Park site is closing to guests.

For over 130 years, The Highbury Centre’s mission has been to provide guests with a “welcoming, comfortable, safe, peaceful, and affordable home to rest, meet, and fellowship.” Now, the final checkout for its London guest house and meeting rooms will be 30 October. The Highbury Centre as a Christian charity, however, is not closing.

Just 13% of 'Christian nationalists' attend church weekly

Just 13% of 'Christian nationalists' attend church weekly

Lydia Houghton
Lydia Houghton
Date posted: 14 Oct 2026

Only 13% of a group described as "Christian nationalists" attend church weekly, despite 81% of them stating a Christian affiliation and 45% being "very concerned" about the decline of Christianity.

The data comes from think tank Theos, which, for its recent report Beyond "Christian Nationalism", surveyed 1,765 UK adults about the "perceived (and desired) relationship between Christianity and Britishness".

Need help responding to New Age spirituality?

Need help responding to New Age spirituality?

Emily Pollok
Emily Pollok
Date posted: 13 Oct 2026

The Evangelical Alliance is helping Christians to navigate the world of New Age spirituality, crystals, and tarot as they seek to share the gospel in an increasingly spiritually-curious culture.

In a free, 36-page booklet available online or in print, the Alliance attempts to define New Age spirituality while offering a Biblical perspective as well as some suggested pastoral and evangelistic responses.

Norfolk: ‘Every time we feel like giving up - something happens’

Norfolk: ‘Every time we feel like giving up - something happens’

Lydia Houghton
Lydia Houghton
Date posted: 12 Oct 2026

Six years into its existence, a Norfolk Christian fellowship in an area “lacking” in gospel churches has tripled in size.

Briston Christian Fellowship (BCF) – in the village of Briston near Holt in North Norfolk – began with four individuals meeting in a house and now consists of 12 regulars who meet in a community room.

Christian youth holidays: Squeezed but growing!

Christian youth holidays: Squeezed but growing!

Lydia Houghton
Lydia Houghton
Date posted: 11 Oct 2026

The principal of a youth holidays organisation says greater choice is partly responsible for a decline in numbers.

Organisations such as the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS), Scripture Union and West Runton “built a tradition later joined by festivals and family conventions,” Tim Friend, of Ventures and Falcons (CPAS’s camps for 8–18 year-olds), explained. “Overall numbers on holidays have fallen in recent decades, partly because churches now have so much more choice for their young people.”

Tony hits the sweet spot

Tony hits the sweet spot

en staff
en staff
Date posted: 10 Oct 2026

Speaker Tony Cannon hit the sweet spot when he spoke at this year’s Junior Anglican Evangelical Conference (JAEC) at King’s Park Conference Centre, Northampton.

Cannon was presented with some aptly-named Tony’s Chocolonely chocolates in appreciation for his endeavours by Lee Gatiss, Director of Church Society, which arranged the event. Designed specifically for lay or ordained men and women exploring ministry, currently in training, in curacies, or in their early years of incumbency, it aims to support those wanting to be positively evangelical and positively Anglican, providing space for Bible teaching, seminars, and fellowship. Cannon is Church Society Regional Director.

Christian Concern hosts Tory conference event

Christian Concern hosts Tory conference event

Lydia Houghton
Lydia Houghton
Date posted: 9 Oct 2026

Advocacy organisation Christian Concern (CC) hosted a fringe event at this year's Conservative Party conference.

The appearance follows CC's presence at the Reform UK conference earlier this year, which sparked mixed reactions (see en online, Christian Concern CEO at Reform conference: Mixed reactions).

More Biblically orthodox candidates stand in vital CofE vote

More Biblically orthodox candidates stand in vital CofE vote

en staff
en staff
Date posted: 9 Oct 2026

More Biblically orthodox candidates are standing in the current "tightly contested" elections for the Church of England's ruling body, a leading evangelical says.

John Dunnett, the National Director of the Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC), says the crucial ballot is also serving to "unify" and "galvanise" those holding to the Church of England’s Scriptural foundations.

Welsh evangelicals ‘to professionalise’

Welsh evangelicals ‘to professionalise’

Lydia Houghton
Lydia Houghton
Date posted: 9 Oct 2026

The Evangelical Movement of Wales’ (EMW) new director wants the organisation to have a “robust plan” and to “professionalise” its work.

Alun Ebenezer believes that Christians have a commitment to excellence which, he says, involves planning. “The apostle Paul didn’t just wander around the Middle East,” Ebenezer said. “He had a strategy. Moses was strategic. The whole plan of salvation is – it was planned. So, I want to have a proper robust plan for the EMW over the next three, five years. And I want everyone to know what they’re doing within that plan.”

Bishop Rob Munro defends involvement in CofE

Bishop Rob Munro defends involvement in CofE

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies
Date posted: 8 Oct 2026

Conservative evangelical Bishop of Ebbsfleet Rob Munro has defended his continued involvement in the Church of England, saying Christians should follow Jesus’ example.

Writing in a new article, Dangerous Dividings?, Munro warns evangelicals against disunity and “contending with each other more than proclaiming and embodying the grace of the gospel”.

Franklin Graham to Manchester: ‘We each have a date with death’

Franklin Graham to Manchester: ‘We each have a date with death’

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies
Date posted: 5 Oct 2026

On Saturday, Franklin Graham, American missionary and son of evangelist Billy Graham, preached a stark message of judgement to thousands gathered in Manchester.

The event on 3 October came as part of Graham’s evangelistic “God Loves You” tour. The Co-op Live Arena was filled with 10,400 people representing an estimated 600 churches across the region, according to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).

Historic church gets new life after years as nightclub

Historic church gets new life after years as nightclub

Emily Pollok
Emily Pollok
Date posted: 5 Oct 2026

A historic church building in Scotland, previously used as a nightclub and cinema, is undergoing renovations so it can be used by worshippers once again.

St. David’s Bathgate, located in the West Lothian region between Edinburgh and Glasgow, was built in 1905 but closed its doors a century later in 2007 due to congregational decline.