Evangelical group marks 75 years
Ros Clarke
Date posted: 30 Jun 2025
Anglican evangelical group Church Society is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its formation from the amalgamation of two organisations with their roots in the 19th century: the Church Association and the National Church League.
In June 1950 these two groups came together, recognising their shared aims and the value of a united front. Since then, Church Society has continued to contend for the Church of England to be renewed and reformed in Biblical faith, following in the footsteps of men like J. C. Ryle and William Griffith-Thomas – as well as a number of redoubtable ladies!
Two million sermon transcripts ready
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 29 Jun 2025
Every sermon available on SermonAudio is now “fully transcribed and searchable”, it has announced.
SermonAudio, which hosts an online library of more than 2 million sermons, said it is one of the most powerful features it has ever released.
Brighton beach 1865: When evangelical global mission changed forever
OMF UK
Date posted: 27 Jun 2025
It is now 160 years since Hudson Taylor launched his famous and transformative missionary movement.
It was on 25 June 1865 that he prayed on Brighton beach for 24 “willing, skillful workers” to take the gospel to those with the fewest opportunities to hear it in the inland provinces of China.
Sharp lessons from Moses at 34th SRC
Richard G Buckley
Date posted: 26 Jun 2025
The 34th annual Scottish Reformed Conference welcomed the ministry of both Dr Sinclair Ferguson and pastor Dan Peters, and also enjoyed a time of joyful fellowship with 400 friends whom we have come to know over many years, writes Richard G. Buckley.
There were new folk who spoke movingly about the Lord’s work in their lives, many families and young people were present, a terrific children’s work was arranged, and a well-selected bookstall was provided by John Rawlinson of Banner of Truth Trust.
Catalyst 2025: The Christian’s Christ
Andrew Grey
Date posted: 25 Jun 2025
The recent Catalyst theology conference saw 330 delegates fed richly by the Bible’s witness to the person and work of Christ.
Hosted at IPC Ealing in west London, this annual three-day event drew a variety of church elders and members of all ages and stages, and from a variety of church backgrounds (far wider than just presbyterian).
Ongoing investigation into alleged ‘harm’ at OMF school
en staff
Date posted: 25 Jun 2025
Amid OMF’s anniversary celebrations, “harm caused by several alleged perpetrators” at a school run by the organisation is being investigated.
The OMF website says: “Complaints have been received by OMF UK relating to harm caused to former Chefoo School pupils by a number of alleged perpetrators.
N T Wright is wrong on abortion, say critics
Milla Ling-Davies
Date posted: 23 Jun 2025
The theologian and former bishop of Durham, Tom Wright, has prompted concern among evangelicals after stating that Christians may terminate a pregnancy in some cases.
While Wright did not argue the case for unrestricted abortion, he said that in certain situations – such as cases of pregnancy as a result of rape or incest – “the best thing to do is as soon as possible to terminate [the] pregnancy”.
Charity Commission Sizer statement
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 22 Jun 2025
A formal complaint about allegedly antisemitic images on the Peacemaker Trust website has been closed by the Charities Commission. But the regulator has warned the trustees of the charity – founded by Stephen Sizer – that they risk breaching their legal duties if they fail to take certain steps.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism alleged that the photographs, taken during pro-Palestinian demonstrations in London at which Sizer was present, “demonstrate a hostility towards Jews”. The charity trustees argued that the events were “not ‘pro-Palestinian’ but demonstrably pro-justice, peace and reconciliation.”
Rich preaching in beautiful Bala
Dylan Brady
Date posted: 21 Jun 2025
Running for nearly 70 years, the Bala Ministers’ Conference, organised by the Evangelical Movement of Wales, is a refreshing and encouraging opportunity for those in pastoral ministry to be built up again.
Around 80 men — mainly from Wales, but also from England and even as far afield as Canada and India — came to beautiful Bala in the North of Wales to be encouraged and refreshed together to continue serving Christ in the places He has called them to.
Assisted dying bill passes by 23 votes
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 20 Jun 2025
MPs have narrowly voted in favour of the assisted dying bill, paving the way for the terminally ill in England and Wales to choose assisted dying. But a Labour peer has reportedly claimed some MPs admitted that while unhappy with the bill, they would vote it through and leave it to the Lords for thorough scrutiny.
The bill was passed with a majority of just 23, slashing the majority of 55 at the first vote last November by almost half. Since then, several amendments that would have increased safeguards within the bill have been rejected.
St Ebbe’s safeguarding review commissioned
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 20 Jun 2025
An independent review into past and present safeguarding culture and practice at St Ebbe’s Church, Oxford has been commissioned following allegations against the late David Fletcher.
Fletcher was rector from 1986 until 1998, after which he remained at the church until he died in 2022. The allegations, including sexual assault and coercion, first came to light in February this year and more women have come forward since.
Belfast school students see God move
Milla Ling-Davies
Date posted: 19 Jun 2025
A high school in Belfast has seen a wave of students start exploring Christianity and come to faith – their Christian Union (CU) growing by over 100 people in the last year alone.
Belfast High CU (BHCU) has existed for over 30 years, and nine years ago there were just over 20 attendees. There has been steady growth and encouragements in the years since, until this year the CU jumped from 60 people meeting weekly in a lecture theatre to over 160 in the larger assembly hall.
Landmark win for Darlington Nurses
en staff
Date posted: 19 Jun 2025
Eight pioneering nurses who formed their own union to defend the rights of women “have won a landmark battle for a female-only changing room,” website dailymail.co.uk reports.
“The Darlington nurses launched a legal action saying transgender policies put them at risk, deprived them of dignity and breached their human rights,” according to the Daily Mail.
400 women gather to celebrate God’s mercy
Jenny Rees
Date posted: 18 Jun 2025
This June, 400 women from different churches across the South East came together to consider how there is "None greater" than God in a world full of injustice.
Taking place on Saturday 7 June at All Saints Church, Crowborough, and organised by the Southern Women’s Convention, the women who came enjoyed a wonderful day of teaching, seminars, praise, and prayer.
Home Office accused of ‘pro-Islam’ bias
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 18 Jun 2025
The Home Office has been accused of pro-Islam bias after a Christian woman was granted asylum following a lengthy legal battle.
The Christian Legal Centre said ‘Maria’ fled Islamic persecution to seek asylum in the UK but faced Home Office resistance. According to the CLC, she risked abduction, forced conversion to Islam and possible death if she returned to her country of origin.
Final vote looms on Assisted Suicide
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 16 Jun 2025
A final vote on the assisted dying bill has been delayed until at least 20 June.
Pro-assisted dying MP Christine Jardine (Edinburgh West) accused other parliamentarians of “deliberately hanging about in the lobbies to delay the process” as the latest day of debate closed.
Students re-envisioned for evangelism through The Send
Thomas McBride
Date posted: 14 Jun 2025
UCCF recently partnered with The Send, a campaign that seeks to "activate believers to live a missional lifestyle by adopting and reaching real mission fields at home and abroad".
Through evenings of worship, prayer and praise, The Send encourages young people to pray for revival in our nation, something that is also deeply rooted within the ethos of UCCF.
Decriminalising abortion ‘profoundly irresponsible’
Nicola Laver
Date posted: 13 Jun 2025
Decriminalising abortion would be “profoundly irresponsible”, an MP warns, days before Parliament are expected to vote on the issue.
Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi has tabled the amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill completely removing women from the criminal law relating to the abortion of their own pregnancies.
