QUARTERLY UPDATE
DECEMBER 2025
BUILDING A NEW HOME IN OXFORD, TOGETHER
We are deeply thankful to the Lord for the continued progress toward our move to Oxford.
The architects are now actively developing the design plans for the refurbishment of Union House, which will serve as the new home of Westminster Seminary UK. Please join us in praying for wisdom, clarity, and provision as these plans take shape.
We are also rejoicing in God’s gracious provision through His people. A generous benefactor has offered to cover the full cost of refurbishing the first student house, and two supporting churches in the United States have pledged significant gifts that will enable us to begin work on the second property.
These commitments mark an important step forward as we prepare to provide accommodation for our students and a base for the Seminary’s ongoing work.
We invite you to continue standing with us—both in prayer and in financial partnership—as we prepare for this new chapter. Please pray for the practical details of the refurbishment, the smooth transition to Oxford, and for the Lord’s sustaining grace in all that lies ahead.
BRINGING THE GOSPEL TO NEWCASTLE’S STREETS
Third-year student Wesley Waites is taking the gospel where it is needed most—the busy streets of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Alongside his studies at Westminster Seminary UK, Wesley serves as an intern at Newcastle Reformed Evangelical Church (preaching monthly) and supports a church revitalisation project in nearby Winlaton. Yet he still makes time for open-air evangelism.
“The gospel is so excellent,” Wesley explains. “It is the power of God for salvation. This life is brief, eternity is coming, and we hold the only cure for sin—reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. I simply love my Saviour, love the gospel, and love people.”
Far from being outdated, street preaching bears real fruit. One evening at Newcastle’s Monument, an ex-Jehovah’s Witness named George stopped to listen. Convicted by the message, he attended church three weeks later, repented with tears, and has since been baptised.
As a trustee of Day 6, a ministry reaching largely-unchurched men with the gospel, Wesley recently shared with over a hundred how the Lord has sustained his own family through his young son’s aggressive cancer. A man with a tumour in his neck was awed by the emphasis on God’s sovereignty and asked for prayer. Later tests would reveal the tumour to be benign; the man, a young convert, rejoiced afresh in God’s kindness.
“It’s scary to speak of sin and judgement in public,” Wesley acknowledges, “but we rely on the God who waters the seed and brings fruit.” He is now mentoring a dozen men from his church to hand out tracts and engage passers-by with gentle, genuine care.
Wesley Waites embodies the courageous, gospel-hearted ministry Westminster Seminary UK seeks to equip. Pray that the Lord would raise up many more labourers like him for the harvest fields of Britain.
A WEEK IMMERSED IN THE PENTATEUCH
Before the Autumn semester began Westminster Seminary UK welcomed Dr L. Michael Morales, Professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (South Carolina), for an intensive week of lectures on the Pentateuch.
Over five richly rewarding days, Dr Morales guided students and faculty through the foundational books of the Torah, unveiling their theological depth and enduring relevance for Christian ministry.
Students described the course as one of the most formative they have experienced at the seminary. Tomi, a current student, reflected: “Of the courses to date, that was probably the one I got the most out of. It furnished us not just with the knowledge needed to pass the exam but with resources for future ministry—and a way of seeing the Torah that will go forward with us into our preaching for the future.”
Beyond the classroom, Dr Morales’s humility and availability left a deep impression. He was constantly surrounded by students eager to discuss theology, hermeneutics, and ministry. One student asked whether the long years of rigorous study were worth the sacrifice. Dr Morales replied simply, “If you’ve got a goal that you want to reach, it will require sacrifice. But the fruit of that is so worthwhile.” His own fruit—widely respected commentaries born of decades in the original languages—testified to the truth of his words.
We are profoundly grateful to Dr Morales for investing a week of his life in the Westminster Seminary UK community. The lectures did far more than equip students for an exam; they nourished souls, shaped future preaching, and kindled fresh wonder at the God who reveals Himself in the Torah—and supremely in the Lord Jesus Christ.
DELVING DEEPER INTO THE NICENE CREED
Seventeen centuries after 318 bishops gathered at Nicaea to confront the attack of Arius on the deity of Christ, delegates from around the world convened in the magnificent All Saints Presbyterian Church in Newcastle upon Tyne for a conference that would explore the legacy of that momentous event.
In his opening address, Rev Andy Young set hearts ablaze with the wonder of Trinitarian worship: only because God is eternally Father, Son and Holy Spirit can sinners be drawn near, forgiven, and brought into the fellowship of love that has existed from all eternity. Conrad Mbewe followed, unfolding the glory of the only-begotten Son who is “begotten, not made,” and moving some to tears at the privilege of praying to the true God who became flesh.
In two rich addresses Dr Nick Needham guided the assembly from the drama of Nicaea through the long wilderness years to the triumph of Constantinople in 381, showing how the Nicene Creed–still recited Sunday by Sunday in countless tongues–was forged in prayer, debate and costly faithfulness, and remains “the only creed universally received by all historical branches of the Church”.
Rev Peter Sanlon drew out Augustine’s insight that a truly high Christology liberates us from pride and authoritarianism, while Rev Dr Donald John MacLean, Westminster UK’s president, brought delegates to John 3:16 to drink again from the Father’s love, the Son’s gift, and the Spirit’s life-giving application. Nimo (not his real name) drew on his missionary labours in Turkey to explain how the insights of our orthodox forebears are needed to address the heresy of the Islamic Jesus with our Muslim neighbours.
Attendees described the talks as “spiritually rich and edifying,” “pastorally encouraging,” and “intellectually challenging yet warmly devotional.” The catering was delicious, the fellowship sweet, and many spoke of leaving strengthened in their grasp of the faith and stirred afresh for mission.
As Westminster Seminary UK is preparing to relocate to Oxford in 2026, it was fitting that this was the largest Northern gathering yet. Yet the overwhelming sentiment was gratitude: gratitude for the ancient fathers who contended for the truth, and gratitude that we may call this Lord Jesus Christ, Light from Light, true God from true God, our Lord and Saviour!
Conference addresses are available to view on the seminary’s website.
We warmly invite you to save the date and sign up for an Early Bird discount for our 2026 Conference, ‘The Glory of Christ’, 24–26 October in Oxford, as we welcome Kevin DeYoung, Christopher Ash, Jonty Rhodes and others to address us during three days of teaching and fellowship.
WE’RE HIRING A US AMBASSADOR
We’re pleased to share that we have recently launched a new recruitment campaign for a “US Ambassador” role, and have already received a strong set of applications from candidates deeply aligned with our mission.
This role will be vital as we continue to raise up faithful ministers, build partner relationships in the USA, and prepare for our move to Oxford in 2026. Your prayers and support are making a real difference.
JOIN US FOR OUR 2026 REFORMED COLLOQUIUM
We’re pleased to invite pastors, elders, theological educators, students, and their wives to join us for the Reformed Colloquium, taking place from 21–23 April 2026 in Budapest, Hungary. The theme, “The Beauty of Christ,” reminds us, as Martin Bucer observed, that all we say of Jesus falls infinitely short of His matchless worth.
Over three days, we’ll gather for worship, fellowship, and rich teaching through plenary and breakout sessions, including dedicated sessions for women.
Based on previous years’ attendance, we are hoping to welcome around 150 participants from across Europe and beyond. It promises to be a wonderful time of encouragement and renewal, as we seek together to grow in our love for Christ and His Church.
INTRODUCING OUR NEW CERTIFICATE IN BIBLICAL STUDIES
Our Diploma in Biblical Studies continues to grow in strength, offering a suite of courses designed across five key disciplines — biblical, historical, systematic, practical, and apologetic theology. Students complete seven of twelve courses, ensuring a balanced foundation in Reformed theology.
Building on this, we are delighted to announce the forthcoming Certificate in Biblical Studies, currently in development and planned for launch in January 2026.
The Certificate will share the same high-quality lectures and materials as the Diploma but with a lighter academic load—replacing written essays with multiple-choice assessments to test understanding rather than written expression.
It’s designed to make theological study more accessible for those seeking structured learning without the demands of extended coursework. We warmly welcome enquiries from anyone interested in exploring this new route of study.