Gospel Partnership In The UK
An update from Ed O’Mara, Lead Pastor of Chiesa Grazia Sovrana di Torino, Italy, and SGC Area Leader for Europe…
Writing to the Corinthians, Paul asks, "What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" (1 Corinthians 4:7). In some ways, I would say this defines my observation of Sovereign Grace’s culture: all that we enjoy in life and ministry is a gift of grace, leaving us with no ground to boast in ourselves, but only in Christ and His saving work.
This heart of gratitude was on display recently as Bob and Devon Kauflin came to serve in the UK. After serving in London at Music Ministry UK’s annual conference, they came to Bristol to serve Grace Church on 11 October. The following day, we spent time planning and preparing for a WorshipGod UK conference to be held in October 2027. That evening, we gathered with Grace Church. There was time for singing and fellowship as well as an interview so the church could get to know Bob, Devon, and Sovereign Grace Music better. Bob and Devon described Sovereign Grace Music’s goal of serving and equipping churches to proclaim the gospel and praise the Lord for His saving work through theologically rich songs for the local church.
This all led to the “main event” on Tuesday: an all-day mini-conference called Gathered. Nearly 250 people gathered at Headley Park Church in Bristol to sing together and receive instruction from Bob and Devon on various aspects of the worship gathering. The central themes were: the heart posture of a worshipper, the gospel we proclaim, the songs we sing, and our witness to the world. It was both encouraging and well received. I had multiple conversations in which people expressed appreciation for Sovereign Grace Music and our family of churches.
A few pastors also shared a desire to learn more about what it means to become part of Sovereign Grace Churches, and everyone I talked to indicated their excitement and anticipation for next year's fuller WorshipGod UK conference in Bristol. Gathered concluded on Wednesday with a leaders' meeting where Bob taught on practical applications of leading a team, focusing on how worship leaders can seek to edify the local church in the gospel and in unity with the pastoral team. This was followed by a discussion and Q&A session with Bob and Devon, where they helped attendees work through specific applications for their own ministry contexts.
Again, I was very edified by our time together. It was encouraging to see tangible ways that God's grace is unfolding across the UK, and it seems to me that there is a growing desire for gospel centrality. I was particularly affected by the number of young people who attended and seemed to desire solid theological training. An example of this came from one young man who is not currently part of Sovereign Grace, but is exploring future partnership. He remarked that his excitement to pursue Sovereign Grace grew by attending Gathered. He went on to say that his time helped him see that Sovereign Grace does not just have well-defined and articulated gospel theology, but a culture of lived-out theology that is gracious, Christ-centred, and God-honouring. How humbling and encouraging to hear his feedback! But I don’t share this to pat ourselves on the back. Again: "What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" We boast in Christ alone! He has granted us salvation! Nothing trumps that glorious treasure. Additionally, it is all to His praise that, within our family of churches, we value singing and celebrating the gospel through song. What a gift it is to be led in this by the joy-filled gospel men of Sovereign Grace Music!
So as we look to the future we thank Him for what He has granted to us, starting with the work of Christ and flowing out in myriad blessings. Would you pray for this to continue in the UK and Europe? Pray:
that the Lord would cause the gospel to spread across Europe.
that Sovereign Grace would have many more opportunities to serve pastors, leaders, and churches in the UK and Europe.
that contexts like next year's WorshipGod UK conference would be times of strategic investment to maximise the glory going to the worthy name of Christ.
May our boast always be in the Lord so the world marvels at His glory in Christ!
