Jesus, Hope for the World
UNION’S MINISTRY IN 2023
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only hope for our fallen and broken world. He is the true light shining in the darkness of sin, and the perfect Word of the Father into the confusion and fear that surround us. Today, as ever, the world desperately needs churches and believers who find their joy in Christ and will take his gospel into every place.
Our mission is to grow godly leaders who will serve the church and to resource all Christians to delight in God and bless the world with the hope of Jesus Christ.
Highlights
More than 200,000 people downloaded our new Delighting in the Trinity podcast in just five months, bringing an archive of teaching from Michael Reeves to a large, international audience.
This year, Michael Reeves ministered in Alexandria and Cairo in Egypt, beginning a partnership there to raise up leaders for Egypt and the Middle East.
Our student body is the largest it has ever been. Over 250 students are being formed and equipped for ministry, and we sent out 50 new leaders to pastoring and planting around the world.
200k+
LISTENERS TO DELIGHTING IN THE TRINITY WITH MICHAEL REEVES
250+
STUDENTS ARE BEING TRAINED THROUGH UNION SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
50
LEADERS SENT TO PLANT AND PASTOR AROUND THE WORLD
Michael in Egypt with Authentic Ministry in Arabic
Raising leaders to serve Christ’s church
We welcomed our largest ever intake of students this academic year. In September, 116 future leaders began their study, preparation, and spiritual formation with Union. Our student body has grown by a record 13% and now stretches over 30 countries around the world.
This year, we opened 12 new Learning Communities (both in person and online groups) which act as hubs for theological education, church planting, and healthy church growth. These include Abuja (Nigeria), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Alexandria (Egypt), Atlanta, Belfast, Houston, Los Angeles, North India, and Poznan (Poland).
LEARNING COMMUNITY KEY
Dark Blue: In Person
Lighter Blue: Online
‘There is a theological rigor, but a desire with the teachers to apply this to the Christian life, to spiritual formation, to ministry. There are many advantages we’ve found to the Learning Community model in Addis Ababa. Students can continue their training in the context of the local church, enriching their ministry and immediately applying what they’re learning. It is a far superior model than going off to seminary and then returning at some point in the future.’
JOSH PANNELL
Lead Mentor in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
257
STUDENTS ACROSS ALL OUR PROGRAMMES
116
NEW STUDENTS ENROLLED IN 2023
30
COUNTRIES REPRESENTED AMONG UST STUDENTS
Equipping the next generation of evangelical scholars
This year, Professor Donald Fairbairn became Dean of Newton House, replacing Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin who now becomes a Senior Fellow. Fairbairn gave Newton House’s Spring Lecture Series and has begun mentoring members of the community.
As Newton House aims to raise up the next generation of evangelical scholars to serve the church, we have begun to explore partnership with theological institutions around the world. We provided training and support for Rwandan leaders who lead the first ever theological society and conference in Rwanda. With senior leaders in Nigeria, we’re exploring ways to provide theological training in Lagos, Nigeria—Africa’s largest city.
We’re developing strategic relationships with partners around the world in theological education and Newton House serves participants from India, Poland, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, the UK and the US.
Helping believers delight in God
Our Essentials series began this year, introducing readers to ten key essentials of evangelical belief in short, accessible volumes. Michael Reeves’ Right With God and Tim Chester’s Scripture is Supreme have been released, with Donald Fairbairn’s The Trinity forthcoming.
Union books are now available in 7 languages, including Arabic, Portuguese and Korean.
Gospel People, Right with God, and Authentic Ministry were all released in Korean, while Gospel People is also now available in French, and Evangelical Pharisees was translated into Portuguese. Rejoice and Tremble is now in French and Spanish.
The Growing Gospel Integrity series continues in partnership with Crossway, with titles now available from Gavin Ortlund, Joe Rigney, and Sinclair Ferguson.
200k+
DOWNLOADS OF DELIGHTING IN THE TRINITY PODCAST
11,000
BOOKS SOLD IN ENGLISH THIS YEAR
450%
INCREASE IN TRAFFIC TO UNION PUBLISHING’S BOOKS AND RESOURCES WEBSITE
Union Publishing runs a monthly giveaway for email subscribers, sending Christ-centred, gospel-hearted resources to readers and listeners all over the world at no cost.
Resourcing local churches for global mission
Union Mission has been able to channel £67,000 to 12 church planting and ministry projects around the world. Support from our generous donors reached Leiria in Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Naples in Italy, and Hungary. Church planters at Union’s Learning Community in Albania have benefitted from a grant. Meanwhile, we continued to support planting projects in England and Wales, and hosted a conference at our ministry centre with Conrad Mbewe and Pete Greasley.
Read stories about the churches and ministries we serve here.
‘Funds received through Union Mission were used to train nine church planters from Greece and the Balkans. Several other congregations were established in Athens as the churches that were planted began to plant new churches.’
GIOTIS KANTARTZIS
City to City Balkans initiative in Athens, Greece
£67k
DISTRIBUTED TO CHURCH PLANTING AND PROJECTS
DURING 2023
12
PROJECTS SUPPORTED THROUGH THE YEAR
£1.4m
GIVEN TO PROJECTS SINCE 2017
The Courtyard Café and Book Shop
Union’s ministry centre in Bridgend is now home to The Courtyard – a café and bookstore, serving the local community and churches as well as staff and students.
Finances
Become a Friend of Union
By giving regularly, you will help us:
Train hundreds more pastors and missionaries
Expand our network of Learning Communities, including in Africa and Asia
Produce and distribute thousands of books and resources in different languages.
Support church planting in five continents
“Friends of Union make our mission of raising up the next generation of leaders and growing healthy churches possible. Will you join us?”
MICHAEL REEVES
