In Depth:  Milla Ling-Davies

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Major ‘landmark’ in Bible translation

Major ‘landmark’ in Bible translation

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Thanks to a record increase in the rate of Bible translation, for the first time in history more than half the world’s languages now have some Scripture.

More than 4,000 of the 7,396 known languages are now in translation, according to Wycliffe Bible Translator’s 2024 State of the Bible Report. This significant milestone has been reached due to a rapid growth in the number of Bible or New Testament translations begun this year – two were launched a week, compared to the previous year where one was started every 5.5 days. This is the fastest rate of translation in recent memory.

Hospice crisis fuels euthanasia fear as MPs deliberate

Hospice crisis fuels euthanasia fear as MPs deliberate

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

As the Parliamentary debate for assisted dying approaches, fears are growing that the hospice funding crisis could make patients more likely to opt to die.

Parliament is gearing up to debate proposals to give terminally ill people in England and Wales the right to choose to end their life later this year. At the same time, hospices, who receive only a third of their funding through the NHS, have been calling for more government support as they face job cuts, bed cuts and even closure.

Are you tired of pretending?
culture watch

Are you tired of pretending?

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Have you ever been shadowed at work? Or observed during an interview? We often find it uncomfortable to be watched.

This is the predicament that the three protagonists in the latest season of the hit TV comedy drama series Only Murders in the Building find themselves in. In Season Three, amateur detectives Mabel, Charles and Oliver learn that their true-crime podcast is being made into a Hollywood movie. As they begin solving yet another murder, they also end up being shadowed by the three actors hired to play them in the film.

Dan Walker on faith and reputation

Dan Walker on faith and reputation

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

After being cleared of misconduct at Channel 5, TV presenter Dan Walker has declared that his ‘strong faith’ is what enables him not to care about his reputation.

In March 2024, news broke that Channel 5 had brought in investigators following a complaint from a colleague of Walker. He has since been fully exonerated due to a lack of evidence to support the allegations, commenting to The Telegraph: ‘I’ve got a strong faith, and I know that I have value, and my value doesn’t come from what people think or say about me’.

Three churches unite to launch new plant in Kidderminster

Three churches unite to launch new plant in Kidderminster

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

In a display of unity, three churches in Worcestershire have overcome stylistic and theological differences to form a new church plant, recognised by the FIEC (Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches).

Set to officially launch in January 2025, the formation of the new Grace Church Kidderminster occurred after two churches in the Wyre Forest each approached the lead pastor of nearby Woodgreen Church, Richard Lacey, for help. With small and aging congregations, both Kidderminster Evangelical Church (KEC) and Christ Church Wyre Forest, (CCWF) had recognised a need for external assistance – they contacted Lacey within weeks of each other.

Retired vicar and CPAS staff member killed in car crash

Retired vicar and CPAS staff member killed in car crash

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Retired vicar Steve Burch and former CPAS (Church Pastoral Aid Society) staff member Kathy Burch died after being struck by a car in Anglesey in August.

The couple, both 65, were visiting Beaumaris at the time of the crash on Alma Street. Kathy had worked as the PA to the CPAS Patronage Secretary for 17 years and retired earlier this year, while Steve had been in ministry for over 35 years, most recently serving as vicar of St James Fletchamstead in Coventry.

Once-in-a-generation Lausanne Congress gathers for fourth time

Once-in-a-generation Lausanne Congress gathers for fourth time

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

In a magnificent display of unity, over 5,000 Christians from across 202 countries and territories gather in Seoul, South Korea this September. Together they will pray, listen, and discuss how Christians across the world can fulfil Jesus’ command in Matthew 28 to ‘go and make disciples of all nations’.

This ‘once in a generation’ event is run by the Lausanne Movement, which exists to mobilise Christians to collaborate in order to fulfil the Great Commission. This gathering, their fourth Congress, is only the fourth time such meeting has taken place since the movement was formed in 1974.

Giving glory to God at the Paralympics: Karé Adenegan

Giving glory to God at the Paralympics: Karé Adenegan

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

After winning two silver medals, wheelchair racer Karé Adenegan is one of several professing Christians publicly giving God the glory at the Paralympics.

Karé came second in the Women's T34 100m final, while GB’s Hannah Cockroft powered forward to take gold by 1.19 seconds. Karé began her post-race interview on Channel 4 by saying: ‘I have to give all glory to God. It’s been a tough season, and I’m happy to have got another silver.’

6,000 young people in London mobilised for mission

6,000 young people in London mobilised for mission

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

This summer, the stands of Wembley Arena, normally filled with fans singing football chants, were instead filled with 6,000 young people singing the praises of God.

This was the launch event of The Send UK & Ireland - a new collaboration between churches and mission agencies for the purpose of inspiring teenagers and young adults to live missionally in five key areas: secondary school, university, family life, workplaces and the nations.

Giving glory to God at the Paralympics: William Stedman

Giving glory to God at the Paralympics: William Stedman

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

For para-athlete William Stedman, this year's Paralympics was a 'rollercoaster' - but he finished as he started: giving praise to God.

Stedman entered three separate events. Suffering disappointment in the Men’s Long Jump T36, just 16 hours later he sprinted to silver in the Men’s 400m T36 - setting a national record of 52.92m.

Giving glory to God at the Paralympics: Trenten Merrill

Giving glory to God at the Paralympics: Trenten Merrill

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Trenten Merrill, competing with an injury to his hamstring, finished the final of the Men’s Long Jump T64 by declaring 'Christ is King'.

Merrill came into this years' Paralympics having won the bronze medal for the USA three years ago in Tokyo, but having sustained a 2cm tear in his hamstring the day before he arrived in the Olympic Village. Deciding to compete anyway, he finished 9th, with a distance of 6.41m.

Giving glory to God at the Paralympics: Kadeena Cox

Giving glory to God at the Paralympics: Kadeena Cox

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Looking back on a Paralympics that was filled with personal highs and lows, Kadeena Cox has publicly declared that 'God's plan is always better'.

Cox had a difficult start to the Paralympics, slipping off her bike during the women’s C4-5 500m time trial and finishing sixth. Following her fall, she posted on social media saying: ‘You can't have a testimony without a test… It's not the plan I had, but God's plan is always better.’

Why is ‘therapy-speak’ spreading?
culture watch

Why is ‘therapy-speak’ spreading?

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

‘That’s toxic’. ‘Please respect my boundaries’. ‘You’re emotionally immature’.

It used to be that terms like this were heard primarily in counselling rooms. But, in recent years, they have been flooding out into the online world.

Shock after Word Alive shuts for good

Shock after Word Alive shuts for good

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

The Lord knows what He is doing – even though we don’t, the Director of Word Alive says, after the announcement of the annual event’s permanent closure.

After running for 15 years, the popular Bible holiday conference will now be permanently shutting.

TGCUK idea gains momentum

TGCUK idea gains momentum

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

The idea of a UK ‘Gospel Coalition’ is continuing to receive varying degrees of support.

At the start of April, evangelical umbrella group Affinity announced it was entering discussions to form such a new body – and that it might even ‘replace’ their own organisation (see May issue of en).

Craigavon: Gospel unity

Craigavon: Gospel unity

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

In a powerful display of unity, the four main evangelical groups within the Church of Ireland (COI) came together in April for a day of worship, teaching and prayer.

Ministry collective First Things hosted the gathering, inviting evangelicals from New Wine, Church of Ireland Evangelical Fellowship, Southern Anglican Fellowship of Evangelicals and Evangelical Fellowship of Irish Clergy to St Johns Parish Centre in Moira, Craigavon on 27 April. They were thrilled to see over 350 people from across the groups come along.

‘Bonkers’ step of faith for Welsh church

‘Bonkers’ step of faith for Welsh church

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

In a ‘bonkers’ step of faith, last September Llanelli Evangelical Church in West Wales decided to buy a local police station. With the purchase now complete, they’re excited to plan ‘how best to use it for the Lord’s glory’.

As they’ve grown in size over the last few years, Llanelli Evangelical Church have been searching for the right home, and one that would allow them to better connect with the local community – they’ve met in a local school and, more recently, an old synagogue. ‘We were looking for a larger building for a long time,’ said pastor Phil Swan, ‘I happened to Google commercial properties in the area and saw that what had been the divisional police station was up for sale.’ Just two weeks later, the church had put an offer in and by October, they heard that it had been accepted.

Tearfund accused of treating Wales ‘as a colony’

Tearfund accused of treating Wales ‘as a colony’

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Evangelical charity Tearfund is being urged to reconsider a decision to axe its final paid employee in Wales and oversee ministry there from London – prompting a former director to accuse it of treating the country like ‘a colony’.

This year, for the first time since 1987, the organisation won’t have a staff member promoting their mission in the nation. It is the fourth and final role to be cut from Tearfund Wales in the last three years.

Missing the mark on Moses
culture watch

Missing the mark on Moses

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

At the end of March, Netflix released a three-part docuseries called Testament: the story of Moses. A mix of re-enactment and commentary from Jewish rabbis, Bible scholars, Muslims and Christian pastors, it racked up 13.5 million views in the first five days of its release.

I was curious to see it. It had become the second most-watched show on Netflix – and the fifth most-watched here in the UK. However, its acclaim was short-lived, and reception mixed. The audience score on the popular film reviewing platform Rotten Tomatoes sits at just 33%. 

Ukraine: 1,000 new churches coming?

Ukraine: 1,000 new churches coming?

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Hundreds of men and women from churches across Ukraine have gathered in Kyiv for a church-planting summit, where they heard about an exciting vision to plant 1,000 new churches in the country within the next 12 years.

The conference, run by the All Ukrainian Union of Evangelical Christian-Baptists, was held in the Baptist house of prayer ‘Temple of Peace’. Those gathered considered the theme ‘Invincible Church’ through times of congregational worship and teaching, breakout seminars, testimonies, and presentations from various organisations.

No Word Alive in ‘25, say event trustees

No Word Alive in ‘25, say event trustees

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

With efforts to find a new venue proving difficult, the hard decision has been made to cancel popular Bible conference Word Alive in 2025.

Since the shock closure of their venue, Pontyns Holiday Park, in November 2023, Word Alive Trustees and Director Nigel Beynon have been searching for an alternative site to host the conference. Being unable to find a ‘like for like’ replacement, however, has prevented them from planning for next year and ultimately led to the decision to cancel Word Alive for the second year running.

TGC UK: a Terribly Good Concept... or perhaps not?

TGC UK: a Terribly Good Concept... or perhaps not?

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Is there space for another evangelical umbrella organisation? Or would it just duplicate what others already do?

Evangelical network Affinity has announced that it will be ‘championing the formation of The Gospel Coalition UK’. The news has been met with a mixture of support and concern from UK evangelicals.

‘Trust in Academia?: Christianity and trust in a sceptical world’

‘Trust in Academia?: Christianity and trust in a sceptical world’

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Around 100 academics have gathered to discuss the issue of ‘trust’ in a sceptical world for the most recent ‘Forming a Christian Mind’ conference.

Forming a Christian Mind exists to help Christian postgraduates and postdoctoral researchers think Biblically about their double calling: to contribute to their academic field in the light of Scripture, thereby contributing to the common good, and, conversely, to turn what they study to cultural apologetics and outreach – showing how the nature of reality points to the relevance and plausibility of the gospel of Christ. 

Evangelical hospital gets railway boost

Evangelical hospital gets railway boost

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

As part of a historic change to the London railway network, an overground line between Stratford to Richmond has been named after an evangelical Christian hospital – which hopes the recognition will further its efforts to ‘do God’s work’. 

Transport for London (TFL) named The Mildmay line after the Mildmay Mission Hospital in Shoreditch, largely in acknowledgement of the help it provided during the 1980s during the HIV/AIDS crisis. The honour is a huge boost for the hospital who, just under a year ago, were facing closure due to NHS funding cuts – they now hope the spotlight will bring much-needed financial stability as they continue treating HIV patients and caring for the homeless.

Where are all the villains?
culture watch

Where are all the villains?

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

When you were younger, who was the fictional villain that had you hiding behind the sofa? The Daleks from Doctor Who? The child-catcher from Chitty-Chitty-Bang- Bang? Or, if you’re like my husband, the giant called Flesh-lump-eater from the BFG?

I recall being terrified as my mum and dad read to me from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets of the serpent sneaking through the pipes, whispering ‘blood’ and ‘death’.

Donetsk: 50 come to faith

Donetsk: 50 come to faith

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

On the day of his 50th birthday, Daniel Rus drove 26 hours for a humanitarian trip to Ukraine – while he was there, he witnessed 50 people indicate that they wanted to accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

Daniel works with the Global Network of Evangelists (part of the Luis Palau Association) and this was his 31st humanitarian trip to Ukraine. During the visit, he and his team were able to run seven events where they distributed food and shared the gospel – two were in churches and the rest were outside. While in the city of Druzhkivka, Daniel preached about Christ to a packed room and, at the end, 50 people raised their hands indicating they wanted to give their life to Christ.

CU mission encouragements

CU mission encouragements

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Christian Unions (CUs) have seen an increase in the number of students professing faith during their mission weeks.

In February, as they do each Spring, nearly 100 CUs across the UK held mission weeks on university campuses – a series of themed evangelistic events spread out over five days. While CUs have often seen students profess faith in the days and months following mission weeks, this year they saw many make a commitment during the weeks themselves.

First full dyslexia-friendly Bible now finished

First full dyslexia-friendly Bible now finished

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

The Bible Society has finished producing the Bible in a dyslexia-friendly format.

Beginning in 2015 with the publication of the book of Psalms and the Gospel of Mark, the resources were designed to enable those with the learning disorder to engage with Scripture ‘comfortably and confidently’. Now, following the publication of Deuteronomy and Joshua, all 66 books have been finished, and the project is complete.

Dream of Christ transforms would-be   topless model who now embraces Proverbs 31

Dream of Christ transforms would-be topless model who now embraces Proverbs 31

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Caught up in popular culture and dabbling with the supernatural, at age 17 Leah Levin-Martins was on her way to becoming a topless model – but meeting Jesus in a dream changed everything. Sixteen years later, she is a passionate champion for Christ – and for modesty.

In her teens, like most of the young girls around her, Leah Levin-Martins began to dress like the celebrities she looked up to. Memorably, she wore a mini skirt like the one Christina Aguilera wore in a music video for her song ‘Dirty’. Her peers started to notice.

‘Major split’ coming unless changes made, says bishop

‘Major split’ coming unless changes made, says bishop

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Despite having the idea rejected for a third time at February’s General Synod, evangelicals within the Church of England (Cof E) are continuing to fight for a form of structural differentiation.

In the wake of the Synod, Bishop Martyn Snow is now undertaking ‘shuttle diplomacy’ to develop concrete proposals that will progress implementation of Living in Love and Faith (LLF) at the next Synod. In a first step towards this, on 8 March he formed three working groups – one to draft proposed pastoral guidance, one to draft proposals for ‘pastoral reassurance’, and one to do more work on the Prayers of Love and Faith. A number of evangelicals have already joined these groups. And the Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) has said it will welcome every opportunity to converse with Bishop Martyn during this period – and will still be pushing for a structural change.

26 years acting as Jesus: 'no one sees what I see'

26 years acting as Jesus: 'no one sees what I see'

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

James Burke-Dunsmore has played Jesus on stage for 26 years, ever since volunteering to help at a friend’s production in 1998. Here, Milla Ling-Davies from en chats to James about his experiences across the years. 

In 1998, James turned up to his friends’ production to lend a hand with his Bible knowledge. To his surprise, he found a room full of people pointing at him and saying, ‘Him. He should play Jesus.’ Since then, he’s performed in front of tens of thousands in Passion Plays in London and across the globe and has been crucified on stage as Jesus more than anyone else in the world.

Keswick ‘getting younger’ as it seeks to expand

Keswick ‘getting younger’ as it seeks to expand

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

After 30 years of working in mission both in the UK and across the globe, Mark Ellis became Ministry Director for Keswick Ministries in September 2023.

Six months into the role, he talks to en about how things are going, what’s new at the convention this year, and the future of Keswick Ministries.

The answer to an 11-year prayer: new church opens

The answer to an 11-year prayer: new church opens

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

On Saturday 6 January 2024, Dan James had an encouraging answer to the prayer he’d been praying for 11 years: a church was planted on his council estate in South Leicester.

In 2013, primary school teacher Dan and his wife Jamie moved into Eyres Monsell council estate and their hearts were gripped by both its physical and spiritual needs – there was no gospel church there. ‘Convinced that God’s primary mission strategy is a healthy local church, we started praying for one to begin,’ Dan shared with en. Just over a decade on from those first prayers, after plans, bold initiatives and setbacks, 100 people gathered on the estate this January to commission Eyres Monsell Community Church and Dan as its pastor.

Bible board game  bonanza boost

Bible board game bonanza boost

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

At the end of 2023, three friends launched an online appeal to raise money for ‘Ezra and Nehemiah’, one of only a handful of Christian strategy board games to exist. Their target was £11,000 – but they raised nearly £259,000.

‘Ezra and Nehemiah’ is the latest in a series of board games created by Shem Phillips at Garphill Games. When the Kickstarter appeal first launched in October, he expected around 2,000 people to give to the game – but 4,000 pledged their support. ‘It was a great result,’ Phillips commented to en. ‘It means we can print more copies, which brings the unit cost down slightly. But we are mostly excited that more people will get to enjoy the game.’

Gen Z in Europe: more devout than their elders?

Gen Z in Europe: more devout than their elders?

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

A survey shows that Europeans born after 1997 are more spiritual than their elders.

The Global Religion 2023 survey, conducted by market research service Ipsos, interviewed 19,000 people in 26 countries. It has revealed that ‘in countries where religious practice is high, older adults tend to engage in it more than the young, while in countries where religious practice is low, young people tend to have higher engagement.’

Italian evangelicals request more liberty

Italian evangelicals request more liberty

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

The president of the Italian Evangelical Alliance (IEA) has called for more religious freedom in Italy.

In his lecture on religious freedom at the University of Padua on 20 November 2023, IEA president Giacomo Ciccone declared that, despite constitutional guarantees in the country, ‘religious freedom is still caged in a political-religious culture that has not yet accepted religious pluralism’.

The gospel was preached – then a bomb exploded:  this is what happened afterwards in Ukraine

The gospel was preached – then a bomb exploded: this is what happened afterwards in Ukraine

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

A Russian bomb exploded near a Christian mission worker sharing the gospel in Kherson, causing him to dive for cover, en has been told.

Daniel Rus is a Romanian working with the Global Network of Evangelists (part of the Luis Palau Association), who has organised and led 24 humanitarian trips to Ukraine. In December 2023, on day two of his most recent visit, he and his team visited five villages surrounding Kherson. While distributing food parcels at the third, a mortar bomb exploded 40 metres away, in the garden of the house they were in front of, and the team were forced to run to their cars.

Inter-cultural commission marks ten years

Inter-cultural commission marks ten years

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

More than 100 delegates have gathered at the London City Mission headquarters to celebrate ten years of the Evangelical Alliance’s ‘One People Commission’ (OPC).

Anchored by Titilola Babarinde, the co-ordinator of the OPC, the celebration began with a time of collective worship.

From casino to Christ to Kosovo... and beyond

From casino to Christ to Kosovo... and beyond

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

A former gambler turned evangelist is planning his next mission at the age of 79.

As a young man, Fane Conant bet on horses every day and spent his Saturdays in the casino. After meeting some Christian sportsmen in his twenties and seeing they ‘had something’ he didn’t, he gave his life to Christ – but it took a decade for him to finally stop gambling.

Reaching ‘satan’s last stronghold’: the fatal mission of John Allen Chau

Reaching ‘satan’s last stronghold’: the fatal mission of John Allen Chau

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

In 2018, American John Allen Chau bribed five fishermen to take him to Sentinel Island in the Indian Ocean. A new documentary tells the story of his ultimately fatal mission to share the gospel with one of the last ‘uncontacted’ tribes who were living there.

‘My name is John. I love you and Jesus loves you. Jesus Christ gave me authority to come to you. Here is some fish!’ These were John’s first words to the North Sentinelese as he approached in his kayak. The two tribesmen strung their bows and moved towards him aggressively.

Control it like Beckham?
culture watch

Control it like Beckham?

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

It can be terrifying feeling out of control. My husband was driving back from Cardiff last weekend when his car skidded on water on the motorway. He did what most of us would do in that situation – he tightened his grip on the wheel.

In Netflix’s new documentary Beckham, this is exactly what we see former England football captain David Beckham do when his life begins to spiral. As things gets wilder and wilder, his grip on what remains in his control gets tighter and tighter. But while it’s the instinctive response – is it the right one?

First pastor for 50-year-old church

First pastor for 50-year-old church

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Ferniehill Evangelical Church in Edinburgh finished the year praising God for two big encouragements in 2023 – they moved back into their renovated building and employed their first pastor, Alistair Chalmers.

For over 50 years, Ferniehill Evangelical Church has been faithfully witnessing to the local community in Gilmerton, Edinburgh.

One in three pregnancies aborted? It’s ‘devastating’

One in three pregnancies aborted? It’s ‘devastating’

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

As many as one in three pregnancies in the UK may now be ending in abortion, projections from an independent public health consultant state – prompting alarm from Christians.

A new report from Kevin Duffy of Percuity says that while one in four pregnancies ended in abortion in 2019, the figures are predicted to have shot up to one in three for 2023. Overall, the number of abortions in England and Wales this year could be as high as 325,000.

Leaving sex to birds & bees
culture watch

Leaving sex to birds & bees

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

It’s a universal truth that the moment your parents happen to walk into the living room a sex scene will start playing on TV.

We’ve all been there, scrambling to fast-forward the awkward bits. But will the youth of today be spared this rite of passage? According to a new study by the University of California, Los Angeles, Generation Z* are fed up with seeing sex on screen.

The pastor saving lives in North Korea

The pastor saving lives in North Korea

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Twenty-four years ago, Kim Seongeun witnessed dozens of dead bodies floating down the Tumen River, which separates North Korea from China. Ever since, he has been committed to helping people escape Kim Jong-un’s totalitarian regime.

Pastor Kim, as he is known, organises these dangerous escapes from his base in Seoul, through a charity and church named Caleb Mission. They have rescued 1,012 people since it began in 2000, taking defectors on an ‘underground railroad’ through Southeast Asia to safety. The very first to be rescued was a woman named Park Esther, a lieutenant in the North Korean Army – who later became Kim’s wife.

The two prayers of Friends star Matthew Perry

The two prayers of Friends star Matthew Perry

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

On 28 October, the much-loved Friends star Matthew Perry died at his home in Los Angeles, aged 54.

In his autobiography Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing published just last year, Perry recalled how the first prayer he ever prayed was: ‘Please God make me famous, you can do anything you want to me, just make me famous.’ Just three weeks later he landed the life-changing part in the sitcom Friends, playing Chandler Bing.

The fastest-growing church? Maybe not what you think

The fastest-growing church? Maybe not what you think

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

A new report from the Bible Society has revealed that the fastest-growing church in the UK is the Chinese Church.

In just the last two years, there has been 29% growth in the Chinese Church in the UK – a large jump from the 7% growth they’d seen in the previous ten years. This is largely due to people emigrating from Hong Kong to Britain.

Paris Fashion Week:   70 is the new 17
culture watch

Paris Fashion Week: 70 is the new 17

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

What do you check in the mirror before you rush out the door? Is it a thinning patch of hair? Wrinkles on your forehead? What part of you do you try and hide during family photos? Whatever it is, you might not have to worry about it much longer because Paris Fashion Week 2023 has declared that ageing is now ‘cool’.

The event took place in early October and was a celebration of being authentic and embracing your age. Model and actress Pamela Anderson, age 56, went ‘courageously’ without makeup. At age 78, Dame Helen Mirren walked the runway for L’Oréal with her natural grey hair on proud display, as did actress Andie MacDowell, age 65.

Wales: aim of 100  new churches

Wales: aim of 100 new churches

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

A new initiative called Cant i Gymru has the ambitious aim of seeing 100 healthy churches planted in Wales within the next decade.

Cant i Gymru (meaning ‘100 for Wales’ in English) is ‘a collective of gospel friends’ from across the world and Wales. According to their website, they are ‘believing God for a fresh wave of missional planting in Cymru’, and aim to do this by providing pastoral support, uniting in prayer, and equipping and sending out church planters.

Church in Wales threatens to evict Christian-led charity

Church in Wales threatens to evict Christian-led charity

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

A Christian-led charity faces eviction after clashing with the Church in Wales (CiW) over the use of their building.

In 2020, The Parish Trust charity started using the St Thomas Church building in Caerphilly as a base, for free rental, with the full knowledge and blessing of the CiW and local bishop. The Trust claims that for the next three years they were led to believe the CiW would sell the building to them. However, in May 2023 lawyers for the CiW requested they either accept a tenancy agreement or vacate the premises.

New Christian school set to launch in Cardiff

New Christian school set to launch in Cardiff

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

A new, affordable, independent Christian School called St Anselm’s announced their presence with a launch event on 14 October in Highfields Church, Cardiff.

Preparing to open its Primary phase in three years’ time in 2026, the evening was a chance for parents and anyone interested to hear from founding Headmaster Jamie Burns, and listen to a panel discussion with a range of educational experts.

Influencers: yay or nay?
culture watch

Influencers: yay or nay?

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

When someone says ‘social media influencer’ do you think of a teenager dancing and taking selfies in front of the Eiffel Tower? Picturing this, it can be easy to write influencers off as immature or vain. But is this the whole story?

An influencer is a normal person, like you or me, who has ‘built a large social media following typically due to their expertise on specific topics’ (Influencer Marketing Hub). They share videos and photos about subjects like parenting, food or travel, and can have millions of people listening in. They have, surprise surprise, influence.

Learning from the Lionesses
culture watch

Learning from the Lionesses

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Imagine you are six years old. You’re jumping in delight because Chelsea have picked you for their U10s squad. A few years later, you’re 13 and playing for Arsenal – too young for the women’s team, too good for the girl’s team, they put you in the boy’s team.

At 21, you finally get the dream call to play for the Lionesses. It’s your debut World Cup, you’ve scored your third goal and have won player of the match for the second time. Your team hug you, the stadium roars, and the next day’s newspapers sing your praises.

A rocky Jesus revolution?
culture watch

A rocky Jesus revolution?

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

What fulfils me the most? This was the question running through my mind as I watched The Jesus Revolution.

The Christian film that surprised everyone by smashing the US box office has finally come to the UK. It tracks the true story of the Jesus movement in late 1960s America, from the perspective of curious student Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney) and pastor Chuck Smith (Kelsey Grammar). It has streamed in 157 cinemas and made over £100,000 in its first week here. There have been some doubts about the historical accuracy of the film, with The Guardian pointing out that it sidesteps any mention of Lonnie Frisbee’s (Jonathan Roumie) struggles with homosexuality. But it’s been widely hailed as the ‘least cheesy’ Christian film out there, ‘not preachy’ and praised for showing how a Christian life can still be a hard one.

The wisdom 
 of Samuel

The wisdom of Samuel

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

After spending 37 years in ministry, John Samuel, Senior Minister of Duke Street Church, Richmond Upon Thames retired this July.

John entered pastoral ministry having first trained and worked as a solicitor in his 20s. After undertaking a theology degree, he served as a pastor in Dublin of Grosvenor Road Baptist Church for 19 years, and in London with Duke Street Church for 11 years.

Seminary graduations

Seminary graduations

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Seven students graduated from London Seminary this June. Having finished lectures just the day before, they ended the year by attending the college’s Annual Thanksgiving service on Saturday 24 June.

At the event, speaker Rev. Dr. Jonny Gibson, Professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary, delivered a message from 1 Timothy 4. He emphasised particularly the need for consistency of lifestyle and doctrine in Christian ministry.

Donna departs

Donna departs

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Donna Jennings has stepped down as the Church and Mission Co-ordinator for the Evangelical Alliance in Northern Ireland. She is leaving to pursue a PHD with the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. 

In her role, Donna sought to equip the church in Northern Ireland to be strategic, creative and bold as they proclaimed the gospel. She served faithfully for four years as the world experienced the challenges of the pandemic, several global humanitarian refugee crises, and the cost-of-living crisis. She wrote several mission resources for the church during this time, including Walk, Pray, Talk a resource to encourage small groups and prayer walks. One church leader who used this said that it had catalysed their church into missional concern for the local area.

Apostle Paul in the charts?
culture watch

Apostle Paul in the charts?

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Have you ever tried to talk to your unbelieving friends about sin? They might bat you away with ‘But humans are innately good, aren’t they?’, or ‘What’s right for you doesn’t have to be right for me’. Well, David Kushner’s new song Daylight can help open up this conversation for you.

The 22-year-old American is relatively new to fame. It came quickly last year, after he released tracks that went viral on social media platform TikTok. Daylight, his newest release, has references to sin, God and forgiveness and yet somehow, at the time of writing, it’s sitting at number two in the UK charts and putting up a good fight for the top spot. How is this possible?

How Tim Keller was one artist’s muse

How Tim Keller was one artist’s muse

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Upon learning of Tim Keller’s death, artist Makoto Fujimura recently shared how deeply he had been impacted by the American pastor, both spiritually and artistically.

Fujimura first met Keller in the early 90s, when Redeemer Church had only 200 members. He began attending church meetings and rigorous Monday evening classes. He based his ‘Theology of Making’ partly on conversations with Keller, and his approach to culture called ‘Culture Care’ on his experiences at Redeemer. But while this shaped his practice, when trauma struck it was Keller’s pastoral heart that proved invaluable.

C of E prayer

C of E prayer

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Hundreds have gathered from Church of England churches across the London Diocese to pray in light of recent proposals for prayers of blessing for those in same-sex relationships.

The event was held in All Souls Langham Place and run by LonDEN (Diocese of London Evangelical Network), which represents Church of England evangelical churches from across the city.

Tim Keller (1950 – 2023): a character and ministry shaped by the gospel

Tim Keller (1950 – 2023): a character and ministry shaped by the gospel

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Warm tributes are continuing to pour in for Tim Keller, an evangelical of global significance, who has died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Manhattan. His death was announced on Friday 19 May, nearly three years after his initial diagnosis. 

In a Tweet, his son Michael Keller shared: ‘Dad waited until he was alone with Mom. She kissed him on the forehead and he breathed his last breath. We take comfort in some of his last words…“there is no downside for me leaving, not in the slightest”.’

Eyes wide open
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Eyes wide open

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

How do you respond to suffering? We all react in different ways. A friend of mine is a self-confessed 'hermit' and hides herself away, I tend to sleep alot. Maybe it depends on the type of suffering. Maybe it depends on the type of person. 

Ed Sheeran is one of the biggest pop artists of the 21st century. Since rising to fame in 2011 at the age of 20, he’s already topped the UK charts 14 times – that’s just three times less than the Beatles did.

Tim Keller dies age 72

Tim Keller dies age 72

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Tim Keller, an evangelical of global significance, has died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Manhattan. His death was announced on Friday 19 May, nearly three years after his initial diagnosis.

In a Tweet, his son Michael Keller shared: ‘Dad waited until he was alone with Mom. She kissed him on the forehead and he breathed his last breath. We take comfort in some of his last words…“there is no downside for me leaving, not in the slightest”.’

The real deal?
culture watch

The real deal?

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

How much does hypocrisy bother you? For Gen Z*, it might be the ultimate faux pas.

Gen Z are so concerned with authenticity and integrity that they have earned themselves the nickname ‘true gen’. They want ethical chewing gum, natural-looking makeup, and fair-trade stickers on their bananas.

‘The easiest conversations I’ve had’   - is this model of mission the future?

‘The easiest conversations I’ve had’ - is this model of mission the future?

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

If you were asked how a Christian Union runs an evangelistic event, you might guess it would look something like this: a short talk, time for a Q&A, and perhaps some food.

You’d be right. CUs have long operated within this structure and seen encouraging fruit come from it. This year, however, the CUs in Leeds pioneered a different approach.

‘I’ve had to pinch myself – evangelism’s never felt so easy’

‘I’ve had to pinch myself – evangelism’s never felt so easy’

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

CU mission weeks are back.

Until recently, the idea of hundreds of students sitting chair to chair in a marquee, baguettes in hand and listening to a gospel talk, has seemed laughably out of reach. In the past few weeks however, 77 Christian Unions across Great Britain were finally able to run mission weeks in-person again. After a two-year break, they were uncertain how these weeks of focused evangelistic events might be received.

‘Dial-a-doughnut’ and ‘Circus’ inspire 1,000 young leaders

‘Dial-a-doughnut’ and ‘Circus’ inspire 1,000 young leaders

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Having never set foot on campus, having met only a few members in their CU and feeling uncertain about what university life will be like this term, many Christian Union leaders were especially eager to come to Forum 2021.

Forum is UCCF’s annual training conference for CU leaders, aiming to inspire and equip them to share the gospel in the universities, before they head back to campus in September. This August, over 1,000 students from across Great Britain arrived at the Quinta Christian Centre in Shropshire. They met friends face-to-face, sang praise to God, attended seminars and put their heads together to plan for the year in front of them.