MINISTRY REPORT 2022
Growing leaders, growing churches
Finding rest in the storm.
In Mark 4:35, Jesus invites his disciples into a boat and sails them directly into a storm. While the wind picks up and waves crash over the boat, he sleeps in the stern, and his friends cry out in fear, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’
In the wake of the pandemic, facing recession and a crisis in the cost of living, it is easy to feel buffeted and exposed. Our fear and anxiety may be at fever pitch because of what we face today or tomorrow. Even without the present trials, it is always certain that where the gospel advances, the devil will rage against the church. Our faith can easily waver in such storms and, like those in the boat, we may begin to wonder if Jesus is asleep at the wheel. Does he not care for us?
The disciples were not wrong about the threat of the storm, but they grievously misunderstood Jesus. The Lord was sleeping not only because he was tired, but because he felt so unassailably safe in his Father’s hands. His sleep was a sermon, teaching them: don’t be so afraid. Rest on God, even in the middle of a storm, for you are in the hands of him who cares for you.
Far from being indifferent to the distress of his friends, he was helping them – as much as when he calmed the wind and waves later.
Although the disciples immediately found themselves in still waters with the danger gone, they were ‘filled with great fear’ and wondered at him who commanded the obedience of the sea and sky. Great fear of God replaces fear of the storm so that, if we take Jesus to be what he really is, then confidence and rest in him will temper and soothe our anxieties. Then we will be able to share Jesus’ own confident rest, even when the storms rage.
Friends, whatever the weather, Jesus is on board. He is with us and is never indifferent to what we face, ‘for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”’ (Heb. 13:5).
MICHAEL REEVES
President and Professor of Theology
Raising leaders to grow Christ’s church.
Our growing team at the School is led by our new Provost, Dr. Clive Bowsher. New Learning Communities in Canada, and two in the USA join 26 other global locations where UST is raising up leaders and supporting church.
‘Our family of churches offers the GDip and MTh and we have seen approaching 30 people commit themselves to one of these courses. Each of them has benefitted from the outstanding quality of teaching. Union staff have been so available and made the task of mentoring a Learning Community viable. If you’re a pastor considering making these courses available in your church, I would urge you to make it happen! You will not regret it: the quality of the training is first rate.’
TIM BLABER
Director of Training for Commission
255
STUDENTS FOR THE 2022/2023 ACADEMIC YEAR
46
GRADUATES COMMISSIONED INTO MINISTRY AROUND THE WORLD IN 2022
100%
OF SURVEYED UST GRADUATES ARE INVOLVED IN REGULAR CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
Fostering theological strength in the church.
Newton House, Oxford gathered 70 emerging scholars and theologians in the summer for time with Prof. Michael Haykin, Dr Philip Ryken, Dr Bradley Green, Dr Clive Bowsher, and Prof. Michael Reeves. The annual research conference for PhD students drew participants from the UK, Sweden, Canada, and the USA, allowing us to invest in the authors and teachers of the future.
Dr. Gwenfair Adams joined Newton House as a Senior Fellow, while Junior Fellows and Associates from six countries are enjoying the mentoring and scholarly community centred on Oxford. Prospective candidates for the next year of this programme are from all over the US and Europe as well as the majority world.
15
JUNIOR FELLOWS AND ASSOCIATES
80%
DESK SPACE FOR SCHOLARS
IS ALREADY AT 80% CAPACITY
6
READERS FROM 6 COUNTRIES USE THE CENTRE DAY TO DAY
Helping everyday believers delight in God.
2022 has been full of books from Union. Authentic Ministry, Iron Sharpens Iron, Right With God and Come and See: A History and Theology of Mission have come from Union’s own publishing house. In partnership with Crossway, Michael Reeves’ Gospel People was followed by Dustin Benge’s The Loveliest Place, and God Shines Forth from Daniel Hames and Michael Reeves.
Eleanor Trotter joined Union Publishing in February as Senior Commissioning Editor. Having spent 17 years at IVP UK and been editor to John Stott, she brings great experience and wisdom to the ministry.
‘I’m blown away by the Union books from Crossway. Deeper by Dane Ortlund brought me so much closer to Jesus. The Loveliest Place by Dustin Benge made me love the church even more… Such gifts.’
ONLINE REVIEW
Resourcing local churches for global mission.
This year, Union Mission has distributed £187k to 33 ministries: 11 in the UK, including 3 in Wales, and 22 in Europe, including 3 in Ukraine. Since 2017, thanks to our generous donors, Union Mission has invested over £1.3m in church planting and projects around the world.
Read stories about the churches and ministries we serve here.
Kerstin Bowsher has joined the team as Network Developer, connecting UST graduates and other planters with the funding, resources, and prayer support that can enable their ministry everywhere from Cardiff Bay to Tirana’s Old Town in Albania.
‘It is beyond exciting that over the past four years, more than 20 church planting teams have been sent out with and through M4 Church Planting Training, in partnership with Union Mission.’
AARON STUTZ
Church planter in Switzerland
£187k
DISTRIBUTED TO CHURCH PLANTING AND PROJECTS
THIS YEAR
33
PROJECTS SUPPORTED
74%
OF SURVEYED UST ALUMNI PLAN TO APPLY (OR APPLY AGAIN) FOR FUNDING THROUGH UNION MISSION
Together for the renewal of Christ’s Church.
Reformation Fellowship is gathering believers from around the world who, like us, long to see renewal in Christ’s church. Through gatherings in the US and UK, our magazine, podcast, and webinars, we are building a supportive fellowship for believers, students, and leaders who want to stand—and endure—together.
40
PODCAST EPISODES
6
MAGAZINE ISSUES
800+
REFORMATION FELLOWSHIP MEMBERS
Finances
Growing Leaders, growing churches
In these stormy days, we are ever more committed to the work of the reformation of Christ’s church worldwide. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ can bring rest, comfort, and shelter to fearful souls – so we need strong churches and strong leaders who can set sail into the wind and rain, confident in Christ alone.
Will you invest in raising up pastors, planters, and missionaries, deploying them around the world, and supporting them with finance and resources? Join with us today in growing leaders and growing churches.
To support Union by post, please make cheques payable to ‘Union Foundation US’ and send them to Union Foundation US, PO Box 1157, Wheaton, Illinois, 60187-1157. To support Union by giving over the phone, please call 630-871-6863. Union Foundation US is Union’s 501c3 in America. All funds given through Union US will go to supporting the ministry of Union.