“Church revitalization is a unique opportunity right now in the UK. It's a chance to come alongside struggling but faithful Christians to strengthen and re-establish a gospel presence in a community before it flickers out.” —ABWE Missionary
The Spiritual Need in the United Kingdom
Having produced some of the world’s finest and most notorious Christian leaders, England has a long and tumultuous history with Christianity. Undoubtedly, it has played a vital role in shaping the nation into what it is today. However, its influential foothold is slipping—beginning with the younger generation. Currently, 35% of the United Kingdom’s population of 64 million identify as non-religious, and in the young adult population, that number is as high as 70% per a British Social Attitudes 2018 survey. According to Operation World, England is experiencing the ninth slowest rate of church growth of any country in the world. Many churches are in a state of decline and are considering closing their doors as secularism, postmodernism, and Islam replace historic Christianity.
During the 19th century, hundreds of missionaries carried the gospel from England to nearly every corner of the globe as a great religious awakening began to expand. Today, however, the nation that once stood as a lighthouse of truth is drowning in spiritual darkness.
Share The Gospel In The United Kingdom
ABWE began church revitalization work in England in 1984, restoring even some of the very churches planted by Charles Spurgeon's famed "preacher boys." Our missionaries implement many evangelistic strategies to establish Bible-believing Baptist churches and to rebuild those that are faltering. With a focus on preaching, teaching, children’s and youth ministries, women’s ministry, music, technology, and administration, our goal is to help walk local churches through the gradual process of change and growth toward a renewed sense of gospel fruitfulness and faithfulness. ABWE is also expanding into Scotland, partnering with local churches and using youth and communities ministries to grow the reach of the church.
ABWE’s church restoration work has enabled several churches to reclaim a vibrant passion for the gospel. Some of these churches have also planted new churches. We hope to continue nurturing these communities with the help of additional missionaries here who can share the gospel in the United Kingdom, provide leadership, support and a renewed kingdom mission.
