In Depth:  Darren Moore

Gospel Reformation UK (GRUK) has held its first in-person conference – and gave out free copies of en.

The subject was ‘The God Who Speaks’. In the past GRUK has done blogs, podcasts and short videos, and during the pandemic, online conferences. The organisation had previously declined to host in-person conferences, pointing to the number already existing. However, demand grew – particularly from those aged 18–30. For a while, church groups in that age group in the IPC (International Presbyterian Church) and the EPCEW (Evangelical Presbyterian Church in England and Wales) had been gathering in regional clusters for teaching. However, they were extremely hungry for more and wanted to do something bigger. The day drew people from across London, Brighton and Cambridge and elsewhere.

The Raising Expectations conference 2023, ‘HOPE Now and Forever’, has taken place at Trinity Welsh Chapel, Cockfosters, in North London.

This annual conference is aimed at all, but as the name suggests, is designed to stretch the keen Christian to think deeply and apply broadly the subject in hand. It was encouraging to see family groups and teens from various camps, as well as individual adults, using it as a reunion event and venue.

Catalyst is the annual conference of The International Presbyterian Church (IPC) – only day one has happened at en deadline time writes Darren Moore.

Each year the take up seems broader, a strong contingent from The Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPCEW), FIEC, EFCC and Anglicans. Even some visiting from overseas.

The EPCEW (Evangelical Presbyterian Church of England and Wales, although including congregations in Sweden, Germany and Switzerland) has had its biennial ‘sister church relations meeting.’ It saw nine of the denominations with which EPCEW has formal relations give reports on their churches and pray.

The meeting was encouraging with a strong emphasis of unity, it was reported. For example Andreas Jongeneel of the Reformed Churches of the Netherlands said he hoped that this would be the last time his denomination would be represented as he said that by the next time they met the three Reformed denominations in the Netherlands might have merged. There was prayer for similar movements in the UK, particularly between EPCEW and IPC (International Presbyterian Church). Many of the delegates were reported to be impressively tall.

Several hundred delegates (two pictured) have gathered at Ealing International Presbyterian Church for ‘Catalyst 2022’.

There were delegates from across the IPC, not just ministers and elders, but many members. People came from other Presbyterian denominations from across the UK (e.g. EPCEW, EPC-NI, PCI) as well as Anglicans, Baptists and Independents, with some brotherly warm banter. The age range was as striking as the geographical reach.

It is with great joy that Ely Presbyterian Church, Cardiff has joined EPCEW (the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of England and Wales).

Of course, such events are always encouraging; it is encouraging that a couple of churches are looking into joining EPCEW. But church history tends to be punctuated by splits and division. Especially Presbyterian churches. In fact, this has been Ely’s history and so this event was a cause of celebration.

On 14 May, Gospel Reformation: UK hosted a free online conference, Zoomutopia.

Thrown together in just a few weeks, delegates received great preaching and teaching from Kevin DeYoung (Christ Covenant Church, Matthews, NC, USA and RTS), Garry Williams (Director, Pastors’ Academy) and Jonty Rhodes (Christ Church Central, Leeds).