The Report - A Mission to the North

Missions is trending again and God is on the move.

People are being stirred to get up and go, or uproot and move to strategic places around the UK and the world to launch new or support existing Gospel initiatives or projects.

Such initiatives include planting new or supporting existing churches, community projects/events, prayer walking/surveying, evangelistic ventures, short missions, and even innovative Online campaigns seeking to share the Good News, disciple, and pray for or with others, virtually.

Technology is a critical tool in this wave of missions.

It enables speed and precision, and like ‘the men of Issachar’ who understood the times, it would serve us well to harness this tool, and do all we can to optimize and maximize it.

God created all things therefore His children should be renowned for innovation, creativity, design and engineering in every sphere. Recruiting, retraining, upskilling, and upscaling our operations will enable us to serve our generation well and inspire the next generation to do the same on an even bigger scale.

Because, the times and the task at hand are critical.

Some organisations are already leading in this wave of missions, including Revitalise Trust, London.

The impact of their work in the first six years of launching is phenomenal. And, the use of digital technology to propagate the message and the mission have contributed to the depth and breadth of the success.

On an individual level, an 84-year-old lay leader recently returned from a Mission to Kenya, where his professional experience in strategic growth analytics and governance helped an established ministry in Kenya navigate succession.

Also, a well-known author completed an extensive book tour and mission to Europe spanning Macedonia, Serbia, and Germany at the end of March.

In October, the article, Mission to the North was published. Below is the Full Report of that extensive Mission recently undertaken by air and by road.

(For brevity, some details have been omitted).

The Mission was inspired by a visit to Inverness in October of 2023. After much preparation, it took off in earnest in November of 2024, spanning: Helensburgh, Paisley, Perth, Glasgow, Bellshill, Hamilton, Kelso, Aberdeen, Ellon, Collieston, Newburgh, Peterhead, Inverurie, and finally Dyce.

The natural landscape of Scotland is stunning. And, very different in the north, south, east, and western parts. Though the people are all warm and open, quite different from their southern neighbours in this regard.

London is a total mystery and enigma to them!

Over the three months, I visited churches, listened to people's stories, stayed in interesting places, met amazing people, and shared the vision about seeing Scotland evangelised again, where possible. 

I also met with Alpha Scotland via Zoom.

The purpose of the Mission was to walk, pray, and review the landscape.

Arriving at Glasgow Airport on a cold winter evening, I boarded the train to Helensburgh, a pretty coastal village in the west by the River Clyde.

I found and attended Hope Community Church.

It is a very present community that serves the Naval Base nearby. I was warmly welcomed and connected with some naval families, and with a couple (both doctors) who had been serving as medical missionaries with YWAM before obeying the call to relocate to Helensburgh. While there, they told me to also visit Bethesda, so I did.

The next Sunday, I found Bethesda Christian Fellowship.

An Evangelical church right in the centre of the village square. It serves the community with its first-class Café. The worship, the preaching and the prayers were very lively and inspirational. And, I spoke at length with people who had relocated from other parts of the country to be at the church. Again, the stories were very similar. They felt called to come.

After staying in Helensburgh and enjoying the waterfront views for some time, I travelled to Paisley, Glasgow and visited Power Church. The great international prophetic hub of Scotland. Incredible presence of the Lord Jesus there.

I was in Perth for Christmas and attended Perth Baptist Church on Christmas Day. It was memorable.

To make it easier to move around, a car became available, which was a great help for the next leg of the mission.

After Christmas, I was able to drive to Bellshill and attend the GPA STYR 2025 Conference in Glasgow.

Also based in Glasgow is an online Christian radio station called HeartSong Live. It was a privilege to spend time with them and discuss operational strategies, drawing on my experience at TBN UK.

I celebrated my birthday at Bellshill, Strathclyde. (Quite significant).

Then did the long drive from Glasgow to Aberdeen. The motorways are very wide and not so busy, thankfully.

Aberdeen is exceptionally beautiful. The weather is fairer than on the East Coast.

One of the most interesting places in Aberdeen is Collieston near Ellon. It is a tiny coastal village on a hill facing the North Sea. The scenery is stunning.

I was able to read, write and do some work from where I stayed and enjoyed watching and hearing the sea.

However, apart from Ellon Baptist Church, there is almost no gospel witness in the whole area. The next town, Newburgh, has a large population of skilled expatriates working in the oil industry, but again, no vibrant church. I could not quite believe it.

Out of astonishment, I contacted one of the church planting organisations to find out if they were doing any work in Scotland, and received this response:

There is much work going on in Scotland and we have a number of people that we work with regularly as part of our National Church Planting Network group. I think the best person for you to be in touch with to start with would be... (he) has a great overview of all that is happening in Scotland and works ecumenically with other Scottish church leaders…

Just in time, as I was planning to be in Edinburgh the next day. On arrival in Edinburgh, I found the magnificent church building and was warmly welcomed.

Once introductions were done, I asked and was told about the mission and various outreaches of the church. My thoughts were, if necessary, I could maybe move to Edinburgh and help with the apparent need in the area. So, I promptly wrote to make enquiries and received the response below:

... The situation and context in Scotland is very different to England - both in society and in the church. We have much to learn from what God is doing in other parts of the world, including south of the border.

Well, this helped me tremendously.

I began to understand in greater depth the nature of the situation and the purpose of my Mission.

The stage is not quite ready for ALL that God wants to do. Therefore, the task is to pray, prepare, and share.

Pray and prepare:

1. The numerous moving parts essential for the evangelisation of a region will endeavour to come together, work together, and share key information and resources across divides.

2. The key people and provisions will be in the right places, at the right time.

3. The way will be made ready for ALL of what God wants to do at the appointed time.

Share:

1. Reiterate the heart of God for the lost.

2. The lost are not mainly the materially poor in the global south

3. The lost in the global north are rich and educated, but lost nonetheless.

4. The urgent need to be intentional, innovative, and proactive about the Great Commission in our generation.

   
   

The apparent gaps:

1. Church pastors - (some churches do not have a resident pastor).

2. Youth leaders - (there are few youth/young adults in some churches).

   
   

The Big Question

Are you (or someone you know) one of the essential moving parts? If so, please stand up and step forward... God Needs You.

The Good News!

I came across an organisation also based in Glasgow called Give Us Scotland.

This is their story:

We are delighted to say that we are now working with 7 church plants from our pilot year (23-24) and are adding 5 so far this year (24-25). They are a great bunch of folks doing amazing things…

So there is hope… These and a handful of others are first fruits and signs of things to come.

I will conclude with this exhortation:

We all know the story of John Knox, the Great Reformer of Scotland in the 1500s. Whatever has happened since that significant reformation, it befits our generation to seek the Lord to restore His Fame in the land of Scotland again.

And, it befits us in the South of the nation to rise up and take the rich spiritual capital that we take for granted here, to the North, and to the ends of the earth - wherever that may be for you and I.

Considering my mission done at this time, I parked the car, boarded a plane, and returned now to do the real work of praying, preparing and sharing.

Thank Yous...

Some were instrumental in keeping me safe and sane during this Mission...

• Thank you to my Pastors and church community, their consistency kept me grounded, and the Live Streams and Playlists kept me spiritually fed.

• Also, my connect group leader, whose first question was always, 'Where are you now?'

• I also want to thank my first-class personal consultant. The Zoom discussions were invaluable.

• And, the National Day of Prayer leaders for their prayers.

• And, many others, who only God knows who had me on their minds.

• Only God could do what He did on this Mission. I owe Him my life, and I will worship and work for Him all my days.

• "The Flaming Worker!" Jesus, You are 'Always Working.' Thank You, Lord.

March 2025

written by

elizabeth 'tayo david