News – Serving In Mission United Kingdom & Ireland

Staff Spotlight – Jonny Beggs

Meet Head of Communications and Engagement, Jonny.

From the margins to the mainstream

Read how God is using teacher Sarah to help disabled children in Bolivia overcome their challenges and to support parents struggling to raise them in a society that doesn’t value them and has few resources for them.

Coming home

“We are Christ’s vessels; helping those we can, and shaping the next generation to shine as lights to their communities.” Read Nicky Brand’s reflections on her 20 years of serving in Nigeria.

The adventures of a ‘reluctant mission worker’

Stepping off a plane for a two-year assignment, SIM UK’s longest-serving member Karen Hicks, had no idea God was leading her into a faithful ministry that would last more than 40 years.

Do churches benefit from our Engage workers?

Rev Mark Jackson shares how partnering with SIM UK’s Engage programme is helping to inspire London with the good news of Jesus.

Engage: Cross-cultural mission in the UK

From Glasgow to London, Engage welcomes gospel workers into the UK to bring the love of Jesus Christ to local communities.

Staff Spotlight – Tim Barrow

Find out more about our Engage Coordinator Tim Barrow.

Bring your tools to the table

Bring your tools to the table and embrace whatever God has for you on a short-term mission trip with SIM UK.

Sharing the story of God and his world

In 1990, teacher Ruth Guinness visited Malawi for the first time whilst studying at university. 10 years later, Ruth arrived in Malawi with SIM.

Staff Spotlight – Linda Hunt

Meet Linda Hunt, who talks about her role as SIM UK’s Prayer Coordinator.

Sharing the good news, one doorstep at a time

In the heart of London, Engage worker Mary is bringing the hope of the gospel to the streets of Islington through her work with Inspire St James Cclerkenwell.

Staff Spotlight – June Beveridge

Meet June Beveridge, who talks about her role as a Mobiliser and her work as part of our Safeguarding Team.

Taking it to the next level

Training coaches is an integral and expanding part of SIM’s Sports Friends ministry and now hundreds of coaches across the globe can be trained at the click of a button.

Tackling human trafficking in the digital era

The digital space is not only a means of enabling exploitation, it’s also an effective tool to protect the world’s most vulnerable people, where our workers serve.

Growing in God’s love in Ghana

Read how Yvonne brought hope to farmers in Ghana through teaching what the Bible says about business, money, and work.

Staff Spotlight – Cheryl Gibson

Meet Cheryl Gibson, who talks about her role as the Family Adviser for SIM UK.

From mining to mission: shining God’s light in the darkness

On a sunny afternoon in September, mission workers Steve and Mary visited the SIM UK office and encouraged the team with stories of God at work during 33 years of overseas mission work.

Lessons from a short-term mission trip

A short-term mission trip with SIM turned into a life-changing journey for friends Lizzie and Katie.

Cross-cultural mission since 1893

Just as our founders were undeterred, so today’s SIM workers continue to push forward with the good news of Jesus; seeing every barrier as an opportunity to make disciples of the Lord Jesus.

Called: Ted Watts

The call to mission runs deep in surgeon Ted Watts.

‘Were it not for the training, I would have left teaching’

Read how SIM is helping a headmaster be an ambassador for Christ in his rural school in Benin.

‘You don’t teach like we do…’

What does it means to be a Christian teacher?

The gospel drop by drop

Lizzie White’s water hygiene ministry is opening a door for the gospel in some of the least-reached communities of the Peruvian Andes.

We count on the Lord

‘We are stewards of God’s money and we have a responsibility to spend it wisely.’

Staff Spotlight – Mark Gibson

What do you do at SIM UK? I am a Mobiliser and I have been part of the mobilisation team for the past eight years….

God in the everyday

Read a lovely example of God at work in the everyday, from one of workers serving in Mexico…

Three projects get one home

In 2019, SIM launched a building project to help create disciples in a country where Christians are in the minority. Give thanks that it’s now come to fruition.

Esther’s Ghana mission

Esther prayed daily for God to give her opportunities to serve him in Ghana and after four years of waiting, she experienced an incredible short-term mission she’ll never forget.

Christ on Campus

Student ministry not only connects with the next generation, but equips them to share the gospel with others – both at university and when they return home.

‘They are used to hearing stories’

The challenges of taking the gospel to the Tamajaq people of the Sahara Desert.

Discovering value in Jesus at Talitha Cumi

‘He (Jesus) went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”).’ Mark: 5:39 and 41

Staff Spotlight – Hannah Penwright

Meet SIM UK’s Engagement Officer Hannah Penwright.

Sam passes on his passion for mission…

After five years living in a remote Central Africa community, Sam Knight spoke to SIM UK’s Engagement Officer, Hannah Penwright, about why he’s now serving in a new role to help strengthen the church in France.

‘It’s so exciting!’

An amazing answer to prayer will ensure a missional business in rural Ghana can continue to make a kingdom impact.

God is at work in Namibia

After almost 30 years of serving God in south-west Africa, the highs, lows, and stories of ways God is working in Paul and Hilary’s lives…

Staff Spotlight – Beth Jennings

Get to know the staff behind SIM UK. First up, meet Beth – Mission Mobiliser in Ireland.

From broken to beautiful

A SIM worker discovers how the power of the gospel to heal and restore is like the ancient Japanese art of repairing broken pottery.

Introducing our new country director, Alex Hawke

New SIM UK Director Alex Hawke shares about his background, faith, and what he’s looking forward to in his role.

When God makes plans

A gospel-hearted couple praise God for leading them to set up home in a country where most people have never met a follower of Jesus. 

The gospel moves at the speed of relationships

Connections made through English conversation classes and summer camps are having an impact in a broken community in Thailand.

Why Uruguay needs the hope of Jesus

In South America’s most secular country, Hannah is helping local Christians reach communities that have yet to receive Jesus Christ and his message of hope.

Bolstering Bolivian believers

Read how Jonny and Olga are serving and equipping the church in Bolivia.

Dreaming of sundried tomatoes…

Can you help a unique ministry that’s rooted in Farming God’s Way?

God’s unfailing love for the dying

Read about a palliative care team that gives hope in Christ to the terminally-ill in Angola.

Encouraged, visit by visit

The brokenness of the Middle East fills the news, but a centre for children with special needs is bringing hope to one region.

Ten years of God’s faithfulness

Joshua Bogunjoko, who’s led with integrity and grace in his role as SIM International Director, reflects on the past 10 years as he prepares to hand over the baton.

Behind closed doors

Sarah Allen is reaching out to the hidden and forgotten in one of the poorest countries in South America.

A special time of year

Making cookies is one of the highlights of celebrating Christmas in Nigeria…

From foe to follower

A story of repentance and baptism in Central Asia…

A divine appointment

Covid could not thwart God’s plan to bring Ram Strestha and his wife Keshari, from South Asia, to serve in the UK.

A first in Rochdale!

A multi-lingual Christian bookshop is ‘a first’ in one of the most diverse towns in the north of England.

Hippos and healing…

Being on call for anaesthesia is never dull, says long-serving worker Michelle Proctor, living out her faith daily at a mission hospital in rural Zambia.

Seeking to break the Circle of Silence

Meet Donald and Becky, who serve with their family in central Mexico, helping to train up local church planters.

Faithful in waiting, worship and witness

Since 1893, faithful witnesses have followed God’s leading to make Jesus known in least-reached communities.

It’s 2am…

SIM UK surgeon Ted Watts shares a moving account of how God is using the broken to make something beautiful at the hospital where he serves.

Together in mission

An encouraging snapshot of one worker’s cross-cultural ministry.

Top of the pops for Gen Z

A popular French band has joined forces with SIM to inspire a new generation to ‘Go’ into mission.

Together in translation

Lives are changed when people are able to access the Bible in a language and format they clearly understand, says SIM UK worker Debbie Simpson.

We clinic by faith

Despite many trials, God has always provided for SIM’s clinic in Doro, South Sudan. Even as their clinic doctor moves on to a new challenge, their attitude is an encouragement to all who work by faith.

Happy landings

A couple’s desire to return to serve overseas finally became a reality after two years of preparation.

Hang up your capes: Jesus is the real hero

Are we putting mission workers on a pedestal? Mission work isn’t unattainable – find out how all followers can be faithful witnesses.

Opening doors through business ministries

SIM Business Ministries harnesses workplace skills to reach out where other mission models cannot.

A daily dose of Jesus

‘Most of the people here are animists, which brings a lot of fear into their lives, but at the Good News Hospital, they hear the gospel…’

Mummy and me

Had there been no Faithful Witness team in place, a mother and daughter in Thailand might never have met a faithful witness for Christ.

Sewing seeds of hope

SIM worker Sarah is combining her creative sewing skills and therapy training to help people living in the Cape Town townships recover from trauma and discover hope in the gospel.

Wow, what a visit!

A SIM UK worker shares her inspiring story of showing Christ’s love in the Middle East.

A labour of love for Jesus

Even though it requires dedication, determination and patience, Caitlin is learning Thai so she can tell others about Jesus.

Gospel refuge for Ethiopia’s hidden children

‘This is no ordinary house; it’s a house with a purpose; where children are offered hope, encouragement and, perhaps most important of all, love.’

Come back next month…

When the answers we seek don’t come quickly it can be tempting to give up. A woman’s decision to keep coming back to SIM’s Doro Clinic reminds us of the importance of faith.

Napkin notes sketch route to Central Asia

A quickly scribbled diagram on a napkin is a precious souvenir for a couple on the pathway to mission work in Central Asia.

Teaching the love of Jesus

SIM UK partners with TnT to develop seminal Sunday school materials in Arabic.

The dress

The Good News Hospital in Mandritsara offers free treatment to cure a condition that causes women to be shunned by their community. Here they are given a new life physically, but also a new eternal life, symbolised by the parting gift of a new dress…

Luis lets his light shine

God has given us the powerful tool of sports to share his love with young people all around the world, offering them a hope found only in Jesus Christ.

A hub of hope in Dhaka

Read how a young mother’s life was transformed through a SIM programme for vulnerable women living on the streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Inspired

Read how a trip to Mozambique as a teenager led one SIM leader into mission.

Born-again Kuba seeks God’s priorities in Poland

Kuba was nearing 40 and wonders now whether he was having his ‘midlife crisis’ when he felt his heart for service was missing. But God was not going to let Kuba go and began slowly, drawing him back to himself…

School’s out for Naomi

For the past seven years, Naomi Coleman has played a vital role in helping colleagues on the field to thrive by teaching their children.

‘Finishing’ well

Retired couple Stephen and Heather show how you’re never too old to be involved in missions…

Choir hits all the right notes

A key achievement of cross-cultural worker Lawrence Jah’s ministry with a Glasgow church is helping to launch its first African choir.

Home is where the heart is for Anaïs

Anaïs encounters people with amazing, yet heart-breaking stories in her ministry, but tries to see God at work in each and every one.

The Macs’ Greek odyssey

Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to share the hope of Christ for one family serving in Greece.

Get in the game

With Sports Friends ministries in many of the far-flung corners of the world, is now the right time to bring this amazing ministry to UK churches?

On the front foot…

Read an update on our Strategic Review and how we are committed to bolstering SIM UK for the future.

The gospel that saves also sends

Read why it’s a blessing for a local church to be part of God’s global mission.

‘Second chance’ pastor on track to see gospel growth

Hearing God’s voice on a train led a businessman in the world of organised crime to become a Christian and church leader.

Young legends success continues

Many children and young adults now have a new sense of hope and purpose, thanks to a Christ-centred sports ministry in South Africa.

‘We’re just an ordinary family’

Meet the Harrison family, who moved from their settled life in the UK, to a new exciting, but challenging, one on the mission field in Ethiopia.

Sewing threads of hope

Read how a group of Nigerian girls are learning about Jesus as they learn how to sew…

Unlikely friends bring Nadeem to Christ

Nadeem* is the second-known believer among his people after his life-changing encounter with SIM’s Faithful Witness workers.

Our workers join Pakistan flood relief response

SIM workers have been helping out with food and medical relief in the flood-hit Sindh province of Pakistan.

Ukraine Bible school reopens

Ministers of the gospel of peace continue to be encouraged and equipped as Odesa Bible College begins a new term.

Bible translation: A labour of love

With International Translation Day approaching, read how SIM workers achieved a milestone in Liberia.

Mexico bound

A family share why they are about to travel thousands of miles for a new life overseas.

Radio Hope

Read how Waves of Hope Radio Ministry team helped 90 children learn more about Jesus in rural Ecuador.

When we pray, God works

We believe prayer is the first and most important thing we can do in our efforts to recruit, prepare, and journey with Christians sent by churches to make disciples of Jesus where it’s most needed.

Doing business God’s way

Business is another tool in SIM’s toolbox to reach places where Christ is least known…

Resourcing the future: Your impact

Here’s what your support during the 2021 Giving Weeks enabled!

The healing power of art

“It was here in a watercolour class that God used colour and line — and women who didn’t even know him — to heal my heart.”

Mustard seeds of faith continue to grow

Sunday school materials translated into Arabic are providing the foundation for the next generation of gospel workers in the Middle East.

True to our word

Read how our commitment to biblical truth helps SIM embrace diversity.

A dream is born

The Lord is opening doors for sub-Saharan Africans to live and serve in North Africa.

New Bible arrives in Benin

SIM’s Hilary Deneufchatel moved back to France from Benin, praising God she had fulfilled her goal of helping the Monkolé people have access to the whole Bible in their own language.

Pastor Nong’s ‘crazy’ plan kicks off

In a rural village in northern Thailand, God placed a burden on pastor Nong’s heart to find a way to share Jesus with the local teenagers who often gathered together to play football.

Planting gospel seeds in central Benin

Introducing someone to Jesus who knows nothing about him, and who has probably been told that Christianity is false and the Bible is corrupt, takes time.

Back on the ward after 25 years

A semi-retired doctor recalls the highs and lows of her two short-term medical missions in West Africa.

‘God shows no partiality’

Intercultural churches are not a blueprint, they’re an outcome of living out Jesus’ teaching, says Steve Smith UK Director

Brushing teeth with God

Read how one SIM worker helped students make praying for their friends a daily habit they’ll never forget!

A gospel soap story

ENGAGE worker Lawrence, from The Gambia, is learning new ways to serve cross-culturally in Glasgow – including how to do the washing-up!

From camper to coach

Read how one boy’s life was transformed through attending a Sports Friends camp.

‘No regrets’ says mum on a mission

Meet a mother and mission worker serving in West Africa, who shares the highs and lows of giving birth to her second child far away from the comforts of home.

Seeing is believing

A week spent helping a team of eye doctors helped put mission into focus for one SIM UK couple serving in southern Ecuador.

‘Some people think that missions is for western people’

Preparing to serve in Warwick, Geoffrey shares his heart for gospel mission.

The aroma of Christ

Steve Smith, SIM UK Director, reflects on how this brilliant metaphor contrasts Christian and non-Christian responses to hearing the gospel.

‘A young and vibrant couple’

Today, there are no known believers in the Kayes region of Mali, which is predominantly inhabited by Hassaniya herdsmen. Living in this remote region on…

Help for cyclone victims

SIM personnel have launched a response to the tragedy of disasters that have hit Madagascar.

Seeing the gospel grow in France

2022 is set to be another busy year for one of our families serving in France…

Joyeux Noël – the gospel in France

Peter and Claire-Lise Judkins have served in three very different settings over the past decade and the latest leg of their ministry is in a town near the Disneyland resort in Paris.

From tequila to truth

Read how SIM is helping to train local leaders and plant churches in a vastly unreached area of Mexico.

Faithful in study, fluent in hope

Sometimes the language learning phase for mission workers can seem like a detour. But language coach Candace, who serves our Faithful Witness teams, sees it as a ministry in and of itself.

‘This training changed my life’

The church in Bangladesh is tiny, but for the past 63 years, one SIM project has been providing support to isolated believers as they seek to follow Jesus.

Are you a game changer?

Cat Tongkao encourages others to use their skills and talents for sports ministry.

Training nomadic believers

Read how a training centre helped equip two brothers for a lifetime of serving Jesus among the nomadic herders of West Africa.

How beautiful are the feet…

At 78, Elijah can no longer walk long distances, but says he won’t stop sharing the gospel in the Maasai lands of Kenya…

Praying with the Afghan church

As updates on the situation in Afghanistan continue coming in, it could be all too easy to despair or give up hope.

A measure of success?

God as active in our day-to-day lives as in the big events, say one couple serving in Ecuador.

Teamwork in Thailand

Two SIM ministries are partnering to bring hope and restoration to the people of Chiang Mai and Ayutthaya, Thailand.

Flying hope and healing with SIMAIR

Across West Africa, SIMAIR serves remote communities with medicines, safe transport and the gospel message.

New year, new beginnings

For SIM UK member Ted Watts, there was one major item in his diary for the beginning of a new year: “Start PAACS”. Ted is…

Shared blessings – multicultural ministry in London

Mary joins our ENGAGE programme, designed to help UK churches share the gospel with cross-cultural communities on their doorstep.

Memories of Christmas where it all began

As Advent approaches, SIM UK worker Kate shares some Christmas memories of her ministry in regions where Christ was born and the church was founded.

Raising a family on the mission field

On any given weekend, *Rachel and Joshua take their sons to the desert and visit archaeological ruins where the children can run around and dig…

Couple’s joy as home reopens

Six years after tragedy struck, children are returning to SIM’s Mseleni Children’s Home in South Africa.

Running water today, living water tomorrow

Read how God is using water pumps as tools to open people’s hearts to the gospel.

Shalom House: A haven for survivors of trafficking

The risk of human trafficking is very real for many people in the countries and communities where SIM works. Read about one SIM ministry that is helping survivors on their recovery journey.

‘Love them as yourself’

As churches and communities across many countries are stepping up to serve Afghan refugees – alongside other displaced people – we’re highlighting a couple of…

Harriet’s story

How do you support a new believer who lost her sole source of income? An income that dried up when she stopped performing demonic healings…

Christian villages attacked in Nigeria

People after village attacked in Nigeria

Since 23rd July, there have been numerous attacks on predominantly Christian villages and communities surrounding Miango

Art with a gospel impact

Loving your neighbour is one way to fulfil the Great Commission, but sometimes this involves stepping outside your comfort zone, says Justin Agnes, who served…

In the business of saving souls

“As in most relationships here, it doesn’t take long for religion to come up in workplace conversations,” explains Barry*, a businessman who is sharing the…

Your gifts of love

Chikwakwa clinic in Zimbabwe with Covid 19 PPE

Your generous donations helped SIM come to the rescue of two rural hospitals in southern Africa during COVID-19.

Life-saving supplies help fight the virus

Read how donations from supporters helped Serving In Mission protect the people of Egbe, Nigeria.

Urgent: Flooding in Niger

Severe flooding has covered Sahel Academy and the Bible school in more than five feet of water…

A new Bible translation!

The Kafa Bible was dedicated in Bonga, Ethiopia, earlier this year. Read about this labour of love spanning more than 40 years.

A simple solution to a complex problem

Read how a SIM worker developed an online system to feed thousands of hungry families in Peru’s second largest city.

The bigger picture

Over the past five years, SIM UK has seen how God has enabled us to fulfil our vision to work with churches to send and…

Couple’s happy ending

When the pandemic closed down the country, 40 per cent of financial support trickled away for Kenyan mission workers Tony and Julia Mburu. Needing a fast solution to a shrinking bottom line, they revived an abandoned book-selling idea from years earlier.