The United Kingdom

United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland 

“Church revitalization is a unique opportunity right now in the United Kingdom. It’s a chance to come alongside struggling but faithful Christians to strengthen and re-establish a gospel presence in communities 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, the United Kingdom, comprising England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, 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, starting with the younger generation. Currently, 35% of the United Kingdom’s population of 64 million identify as non-religious, and among young adults, that number rises as high as 70% according to a British Social Attitudes 2018 survey. England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are all experiencing challenges as secularism, postmodernism, and Islam replace historic Christianity. 

During the 19th century, hundreds of missionaries carried the gospel from the United Kingdom 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 facing spiritual darkness. 

England: 

The Spiritual Need in England 

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 England 

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’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 England, provide leadership, support, and a renewed kingdom mission. 

Scotland: 

The Spiritual Need in Scotland 

Scotland was once a stronghold of Christian faith. Christianity was first introduced in the fifth and sixth centuries A.D., with Roman Catholicism and the Church of Scotland dominating Scottish life for centuries. As the Protestant Reformation spread throughout Europe, John Knox, a 16th-century Scottish theologian who studied under John Calvin, led the Church of Scotland into alignment with biblical theology and practice. These reforms resulted in the birth of the Presbyterian Church. The Reformation ignited conflict in Scotland between Catholics and Protestants, a long battle that ended with Protestant government reform and the deposition of the Catholic monarch, Mary Queen of Scots. 

The Scottish Enlightenment of the mid-18th century produced great minds in philosophy, politics, and the arts, but the paradigm shift from religion to science and reason led to the rise of secularization and separation from the church. As modern political policies and cultural ideals became increasingly liberal, many churches shuttered their doors. Today, the population of evangelical believers in Scotland has declined to a mere 7.5 percent. 

Christian Missions in Scotland 

ABWE’s approach in Scotland is to come alongside national partners and churches, partnering with them to share the gospel, disciple believers, and plant new churches in areas without a gospel witness. The ABWE missionary team serves local churches through family and children’s ministries while also supporting outreach programs. 

We are seeking teammates with a heart to serve and a passion for ministry in Scotland. Missions work in Scotland is incredibly diverse, and a great variety of skill sets are needed to spread the gospel and plant churches in this historic country and culture. 

Note: While ABWE doesn’t currently have work happening in Wales and Northern Ireland, we recognize the spiritual needs in these regions and encourage prayers for the advancement of the gospel in all parts of the United Kingdom.