Immigrant faith ‘is flourishing’
Emily Pollok
Date posted: 3 Jul 2026
Christianity in the UK is flourishing in immigrant communities, a Durham University professor says.
Writing in “The Conversation UK”, Mathew Guest, Professor in the Sociology of Religion, says the most vibrant congregations are often found among ethnic minority and migrant communities, noting research that shows the health of Black Pentecostal churches, as well as churches attracting Christians of Asian heritage.
Knife crime plan hope
en staff
Date posted: 2 Jul 2026
The gospel is bringing hope in the midst of rising knife crime, London City Mission (LCM) says.
The capital-based outreach organisation says knife crime has been increasing since 2016, and points to a recent Channel 4 News report showing that there are “equivalent to four knife-related incidents in English and Welsh schools per week”.
New national event for grandparents
James Patterson
Date posted: 1 Jul 2026
A local ministry for Christian grandparents at a Northamptonshire church has expanded into a national group.
And it will hold the first national conference for Christian grandparents this autumn.
Q’s conversion ban bid
Emily Pollok
Date posted: 29 Jun 2026
Q Manivannan, one of the first transgender MSPs to be elected to the Scottish Parliament, has put forward a motion in Holyrood calling for a ban on “conversion practices”.
“Legislation in this area is not about outlawing genuine abuse – since that is already illegal,” said Joanna Timm, Senior Public Affairs Office at the Christian Institute.
Former FCoS leader dismissed
Luke Randall
Date posted: 29 Jun 2026
The Free Church of Scotland has dismissed former Moderator Bob Akroyd from ministry and suspended him indefinitely following an investigation which revealed he had engaged in “inappropriate communication”.
Akroyd, a well-known figure in the Scottish evangelical church who served in the denomination’s highest public role as Moderator of the General Assembly for 2023/24, has also been removed from his duties as a part-time lecturer and training director for the Free Church and Edinburgh Theological Seminary (ETS).
New prayer call for CofE as crunch vote looms
Lydia Houghton
Date posted: 29 Jun 2026
The Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) is inviting churches, clergy and individuals across the UK to take part in a month of prayer for the CofE as another crunch vote looms.
The initiative coincides with the General Synod’s July meeting where Members are expected to debate a “significant” Private Member’s Motion (PMM) on marriage and sexual ethics.
Class and ministry today
Jonny Reid
Date posted: 28 Jun 2026
Oak Hill College has hosted its annual School of Theology, focusing on “Class and Ministry in the UK today”.
The day opened with a plenary from Matthew Sleeman, who introduced key questions. Delegates also heard from Jason Roach, Kevin Croft and Maegen Webb of London City Mission, who reflected on the realities of class in local church life.
Catalyst’s fellowship focus
Darren Moore
Date posted: 28 Jun 2026
Catalyst, the International Presbyterian Church (IPC) annual conference, prompted happy debate among the delegates.
The venue, IPC Ealing, was full, with overflow, as people from a variety of churches and denominations from around the country came to hear talks on the topic of “The Christian’s Communion: Fellowship with the Triune God in Life and Ministry”.
Christian medics ‘may face greater restrictions’
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 27 Jun 2026
Christian doctors may face greater restrictions on what they can say about their faith, it is being claimed.
Concerns are arising because of revised regulatory guidance on personal beliefs and medical practice, and the potential implications for evangelical medics and others.
Settlements are agreed
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 27 Jun 2026
Jennifer Melle, the Christian nurse suspended in 2024 for “misgendering” a biologically male paedophile, then reinstated, has agreed a legal settlement with an NHS Trust.
Epsom and St Helier Hospitals NHS Trust had labelled her a “potential risk to the public” and reported her to the nursing regulator, but disciplinary action for an alleged data breach was later abandoned.
Social media ban no ‘silver bullet’
Lydia Houghton
Date posted: 26 Jun 2026
The Government’s planned social media ban “is not a silver bullet”, says Mark Gilmore, policy advisor at the Evangelical Alliance.
Speaking to en, Gilmore stated: “The social media ban is not a silver bullet, and many young people will inevitably find ways around it. However, social media has caused significant harm to children’s wellbeing, relationships and safety, which is why we have consistently called for stronger regulation.”
Assisted suicide bid ‘irresponsible’
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 26 Jun 2026
Attempts to revive the assisted dying bill are “dismal”, “irresponsible” and “beggar belief”, leading evangelical figures say.
The draft legislation is returning to the House of Commons because an MP, Lauren Edwards, who came second in the ballot for Private Members’ Motions, wants to bring it back. She blames a minority in the House of Lords for talking the Bill out and preventing it from coming to a vote in the last parliamentary session.
Belfast: ‘Old wounds opened again’
en staff
Date posted: 25 Jun 2026
The atmosphere in Belfast is “tense, weary and deeply unsettled” – and also contains challenges for evangelicals, a church minister says.
Speaking in the wake of disturbances following a vicious stabbing attack in the city, Andrew Irwin told en of the situation in the city and some of the underlying tensions and issues.
‘Islamophobia’ investigation
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 25 Jun 2026
A group of Labour MPs are seeking a formal investigation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) into Reform UK for alleged Islamophobia.
In a letter, signed by 27 parliamentarians, including Diane Abbott and Clive Lewis, the EHRC has been asked to look into potential breaches of the Equality Act 2010 by Reform politicians.
Non-disclosure agreements ‘continue’
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 25 Jun 2026
The Presbyterian Church of Ireland (PCI) has voted to continue using non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), in “limited circumstances”, despite calls for the practice to be abandoned.
NDAs are confidentiality clauses preventing a party (usually a former employee) from disclosing sensitive and confidential information.
Liberal CofE motion 'may pass'
Lydia Houghton
Date posted: 19 Jun 2026
Ros Clarke, acting Director of evangelical Anglican organisation the Church Society, speaks to en's Lydia Houghton about the upcoming July General Synod session and Helen King's Private Members Motion titled, Same-sex relationships compatibility with Christian discipleship: "Professor Helen King (Oxford) to move: 'That this Synod affirm that there are no fundamental objections to being in a committed, faithful, intimate same-sex relationship, and that such a relationship can be entirely compatible with Christian discipleship.'"
LH: How likely do you think it is that Helen King's Private Members Motion will go through?
Scottish abortion rates higher than ever
Emily Pollok
Date posted: 30 May 2026
Last year witnessed the highest recorded number of abortions carried out in Scotland according to new statistics released by Public Health Scotland.
Up by more than 50 percent since 2016, 18,783 abortions were performed, ending the lives of thousands of unborn babies.
National flags banned at public faith celebration
Lydia Houghton
Date posted: 27 May 2026
The day before Pentecost Sunday, thousands of Christians gathered to publicly celebrate faith, to worship God and to pray.
The "Jesus March" took place on Saturday 23 May and saw participants assemble "in an atmosphere of joy and expectation before singing and dancing through the capital". Around 7,000 Christians gathered for the event in central London which began on Park Lane and concluded in Trafalgar Square.
