QUARTERLY UPDATE
MARCH 2026
A VISION FOR CHURCH PLANTING
Westminster UK was founded on the conviction that the desperate need of our day is healthy churches being planted and strengthened under the leadership of godly men who hold fast the faithful Word of God.
This August, Yarnton Manor, Oxford, is the venue for a roundtable with ministers from across the UK and Europe to consider together how we might work together to prepare a new generation of faithful church planters.
Discussions will be led by Rev Dr Jon Payne, trustee of Westminster Seminary UK and Executive Coordinator of the Gospel Reformation Network. Dr Payne has been active in foreign mission and church planting himself for more than three decades, and he has a vision for a church-planting institute that would train and equip a new generation of faithful church planters–courageous men who will plant Reformed and confessional churches in cities across the UK, continental Europe, and the world.
Pray with us for fruit from these discussions – and that the initiative will result in healthy, confessionally-grounded churches being planted and revitalised.
PREPARING TO CHURCH PLANT
44% of Westminster’s alumni are church-planting ministers, and others are in the pipeline. Jonathan Winch caught up with Emmanuel, who is preparing to plant in eastern Germany after graduating in 2027.
Church planting is a tough assignment for a young man. Why would you choose it?
“There simply aren’t enough churches—certainly not Reformed ones. To reach the lost, we need to be more widely scattered, as salt is in food.”
So why eastern Germany?
“The need there is just so great, and I believe God is opening a door for me to help. In Eastern Germany, Communism was highly effective in destroying churches. When the regime fell, it left a noticeable spiritual void. Thankfully, many planting attempts have been made since, but this work will take generations; the need is tremendous–and the labourers are few. And having been raised speaking German, and having lived in Germany for sixteen years, I believe God has been preparing me for this very work.”
Emmanuel is not exaggerating about the need. A major international study found that eastern Germany remains one of the most secular regions in the world, with 52% of respondents identifying as atheists. In one well-known survey, researchers could not find a single person under the age of 28 who professed belief in God.
Emmanuel continued: “The temptation is to use worldly means and worldly wisdom to attract people. Unfortunately, some have attempted to plant churches offering what the world seems to want. But in trying to be relevant, they have made themselves irrelevant. Our only true relevance is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is foolishness to the world, but the power of God unto salvation. It is our only hope of success–but it is a great hope indeed!”
What challenges do you expect once the work begins?
“Reaching unchurched people will be difficult; it would probably be easier to pastor a well-taught congregation than to break new ground. I expect loneliness and disappointment. I am thankful for a second church planter and the growing core team God has provided, but challenges can arise even from within the core group. We are not ignorant of Satan’s devices!”
Emmanuel looked me in the eye. “But if this is God’s calling, I know that He will provide.”
How are you preparing?
“Our main preparation is prayer. We have monthly prayer meetings with anyone willing to join, as well as daily private prayers for the church plant. Beyond that, the greatest preparation for myself is the theological training I am receiving at Westminster UK, allied with the experience I am gaining preaching in local churches. The other church planter and I are working closely with the elders of the mother church in Kaiserslautern to plan, create documents, ensure frequent dialogue. We are intentionally connecting with other churches too, to learn from them and stay connected long-term–and church planting books have been a huge help. In the summer, with just over a year to go, a group of 30 or so of us will spend a week in the target city, working through theological and practical foundations. Our prayer is that out of this week God would grant a core of eight to twelve adults committed to joining. Naturally, we are also reaching out to churches and mission organisations for support.
“This is not a spontaneous idea; it has been years–really, a lifetime–in the making.”
Please pray for Emmanuel as he completes his studies and steps out in faith to reach this spiritually needy region with the pure gospel of Christ. Your prayers and support make a real difference in raising up and equipping the next generation of church planters at Westminster.
INTRODUCING OUR NEW CERTIFICATE IN BIBLICAL STUDIES
Our Diploma in Biblical Studies currently serves 64 students from the UK, Europe and further afield. Cohorts range from church Bible study groups in Romania to a Christian education foundation in Africa. Some intend to go on to the MDiv; others are simply basking in the beauty of our triune God as they learn more of him through online lectures and personal study.
But not all our would-be students have been able to manage the workload; alongside video lectures the Diploma requires students to read around the subject, to write essays pitched at degree level, and to act on the feedback they receive.
In response, we have launched a Certificate in Biblical Studies that allows students to study theology online without the written assignments. The CertBS is a UK Level 4 qualification, equivalent to a Certificate of Higher Education; it provides a streamlined assessment model, and a reduced reading load, with all materials provided within the platform. It’s designed as a first step into theological study for busy people.
Pastors, youth leaders, Sunday School teachers and believers from many walks of life are already studying with us and applying what they learn in their local churches. We thank God for this growing work and pray that it continues to open doors for those who might otherwise never access quality theological education.
SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS THROUGH OUR KNOX FUND
Pastors are not formed overnight.
Long before a man stands in a pulpit, countless hours of quiet intentional preparation take place. Often that preparation happens while facing the demands of supporting a family and serving a local church.
At Westminster Seminary UK, this is the work we are committed to. As the Lord has kindly entrusted us with more men training for pastoral ministry than ever before, we are dependent on your generosity to keep going in this work.
That’s why we are actively raising funds to support our Knox Scholars. These are men who are working as interns in their local church, while studying to be ministers of the gospel. They are not simply students. Many are husbands and fathers. Many are serving as interns, pastors, or church planters. Nearly all are training while living very ordinary yet demanding lives. In all cases, these men have given up promising careers and stable incomes to pursue their calling. To meet some of them, please click here.
Westminster provides one third of these men’s living expenses, while the remaining two thirds are financed by their church and raised by themselves respectively. Would you prayerfully consider contributing to this fund and supporting one of these men? If so, become a Westminster Partner by clicking here.
BUDAPEST BECKONS
Our third Reformed Colloquium will take place in a few weeks’ time on 21–23 April, once again in the beautiful city of Budapest, Hungary. With delegates from over twenty countries already booked, our prayer is that our time together will be an encouragement to Europe’s Reformed pastors, educators and theological students–and a foretaste of heaven!
The theme is The Beauty of Christ. Inspired by Michigan’s Twin Lakes pastors’ conference, our evening sessions this year will be services of worship, but all our speakers (ten in all, from across Europe and the United States) are aiming to warm the heart as they lead us into a deeper knowledge of our Saviour. “This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3).
Please pray for a time of deep fellowship, encouragement and spiritual refreshment for church leaders across the continent.
JOIN US FOR OUR OPENING WEEK IN OXFORD
We have a name for our new Oxford premises!
Union House is so called because it stands opposite the Oxford University Union Society, famous for the debates it hosts between prominent world leaders and University students. This is University heartland, and we’re already hosting enquiries from members of the Oxford Intercollegiate Christian Union, which meets next door in Oxford Presbyterian Church’s North Gate Hall.
We are also continuing to raise funds to refurbish four 16th and 17th-century adjacent townhouses in the centre of Oxford. These buildings will provide housing for up to fifteen students during term time. Men preparing for gospel ministry will now be able to live and study alongside the seminary and among Oxford’s world-class theological libraries. During summer months the accommodation can serve visiting scholars and tourists, with income reinvested in student scholarships and theological training.
Learn more about this project and contribute towards it here.
If you’d like to see our new home in Oxford, we invite you to attend our inaugural teaching event this summer!
We are privileged to have Dr Chad van Dixhoorn—Professor of Church History and Theology at RTS Charlotte—mark our relocation with a week’s teaching on The Westminster Standards. We’re able to offer a limited number of free places to people who wish to audit the course and enjoy our new premises.
Dr Van Dixhoorn was an associate pastor alongside Dr Hamilton at Cambridge Presbyterian Church, and Westminster UK is in many way the fulfilment of his longstanding vision for a Reformed and Confessional seminary in England. Find out more and book your place here.
Please continue to stand with us in prayer and partnership. Pray for the practical details of the refurbishment, for a smooth transition to Oxford, and for the Lord’s sustaining grace in all that lies ahead as we step into this exciting new chapter.
BEHOLD THE GLORY OF CHRIST WITH US
We are already full of anticipation for our 2026 Annual Conference, which will be our first conference held in Oxford at the North Gate Hall.
The theme for this year’s Conference is The Glory of Christ. John Owen wrote that “the more I see of the glory of Christ, the more the painted beauties of this world will wither in my eyes and I will be more and more crucified to this world”—and our prayer is that this Conference will give us the opportunity to behold and be overcome by the beauty of the Lord Jesus together.
We are delighted that Kevin DeYoung, Christopher Ash and Jonty Rhodes will join members of our faculty and board as speakers. More information will be released soon—meanwhile, we invite you to register below to be the first to hear when tickets go on sale, and to receive an Early Bird discount.
MEET OUR NEW US AMBASSADOR
Westminster Seminary United Kingdom is delighted to announce the appointment of Ken Kunkel as its new US Ambassador.
Ken will serve as a key representative and liaison supporting the Seminary’s mission, partnerships, and international engagement with the United States.
“As Reformed Presbyterians, we owe a profound debt to those who have gone before us in the United Kingdom, faithful men who pressed forward, standing firmly on God’s Word in the face of persecution and, at times, death. Today, Westminster Seminary UK once again stands on the front lines of that spiritual battlefield, training men for Gospel ministry and sending them out to plant churches throughout the UK and Europe. As the US Ambassador, I am deeply blessed to have the opportunity to help support and equip the faculty, staff, and students, and to witness firsthand how God continues to advance His Kingdom.”
The role of US Ambassador is designed to strengthen relationships between Westminster Seminary UK and educational institutions, churches, ministries, and supporters throughout the United States. The Ambassador will help foster collaborative opportunities, promote theological education, and encourage global dialogue that advances the Seminary’s commitment to prepare leaders who will hold fast the faithful Word of God.
Ken is ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and brings fifteen years of ministry experience as a senior pastor, church planter, and U.S. Army chaplain. We look forward to the contributions, leadership, and vision that Ken will bring to help further the Seminary’s mission and impact.
SUPPORT US IN PRAYER
That we would settle well into our new home in Oxford
That ten new students would enrol for the 2026–2027 academic year
For a full time theologian to join the seminary
That the Diploma and Certificate would reach many who lack access to theological training
That the European Colloquium would strengthen church leaders
That the Lord would raise up generous supporters to partner with us and meet our needs
That many would commit to praying regularly for the seminary