Chapel Talks

What is your hope level right now on a scale of 1 to 10? Whether you are facing the weight of ministry transitions, the uncertainty of the future, or the pressures of a culture obsessed with self-construction, human beings cannot function without hope. In this chapel talk delivered at Oak Hill College, Matt Lillicrap (CEO of UCCF and former medical doctor) opens up 1 Peter 1:1-9 to show why the Ap...

This plenary talk was recorded live at Oak Hill College for our School of Theology 2026 that focused on Class and Ministry in the UK Today. Kirsten Birkett Kirsten is a theological writer and author of numerous books and articles. She currently works part time for the Church Society as their Publications Manager alongside her wider ministry. She wrote a book ‘Class and the Evangelical Church in En...

This plenary talk was recorded live at Oak Hill College for our School of Theology 2026 that focused on Class and Ministry in the UK Today. Jason Roach A medical doctor by background, Jason was the founder and senior pastor of The Bridge Battersea (now New Life Church Battersea) in London, as well as serving as an advisor to the Bishop of London. He currently is the Director of Ministries at Londo...

This plenary talk was recorded live at Oak Hill College for our School of Theology 2026 that focused on Class and Ministry in the UK Today. Matthew is the Vice-Principal of Oak Hill College. He has PhDs in human geography and biblical studies. Research about Aboriginal life experiences in contemporary Australia led to looking to the Acts of the Apostles for its insights and guidance for believers...

In this chapel talk, Tim Ward explores Proverbs 30:24-28, where the writer Agur highlights four "small but extremely wise" creatures: the ant, the hyrax, the locust, and the lizard. Tim challenges the modern drive toward "superhuman" productivity, arguing that true godly wisdom is not found in seeking extra superpowers, but in "wisely embracing our limitations" as creatures. By looking at how thes...

In this chapel talk at our Commissioning Service, Principal James Robson expounds on the powerful concluding words of 1 Corinthians 15:58. Ministry and Christian leadership bring profound joys, but they also expose our deepest vulnerabilities. Whether you are facing sheer exhaustion, a perceived lack of fruit, isolation, or the pain of watching people wander away, the temptation to ask "was it all...

In a season of cultural confusion and spiritual hunger, what does the church truly need from its ministers? Speaking at Oak Hill College, the Rt Revd Dr Tim Wambunya (Bishop of Wolverhampton) draws from Ezra 7:6–10 and 2 Timothy 2:1–15 to outline a three-fold charge for those called to the gospel: to study God's Word, to let it shape their lives, and to handle it rightly as they entrust it to othe...

In this Oak Hill College Chapel talk, Mark Stirling offers a personal and profound meditation on Isaiah 35:4. Moving beyond the standard translation of "anxious of heart," Mark explores the Hebrew literalism of the "hasty of heart"—those of us who are quick to react, busy of brain, and prone to responding out of fear or anger. Drawing from his own recent journey in counselling and self-awareness,...

"Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; prone to leave the God I love." Many Christians resonate with these famous hymn lyrics. In this Oak Hill College Chapel Talk, Nathan Howard explores Psalm 119:9-16 to answer a vital question: How can we stay on the path of purity when we feel the constant pressure to wander? Using the unlikely illustration of a squirrel, Nathan breaks down the two essential habit...

Is it possible to spend all day studying the Bible and still be starving spiritually? Rt Revd Tim Davies (Bishop of the Anglican Mission in England) delivers a challenging word on the "Theological College Danger": talking about the Bread of Life without actually eating it. Whether you are in full-time ministry or a dedicated layperson, this message on John 6:35-40 will challenge your motives and r...

Why does God allow us to go through storms? In this chapel talk from Oak Hill College, Ryan Scott explore Acts 27 and Paul’s dramatic shipwreck to see a powerful truth: God doesn’t always lead us around suffering—but He faithfully brings us through it. With a personal story, vivid biblical exposition, and pastoral application, Ryan encourages us to trust God’s purposes in every season of life. In...

What’s the “song” shaping your heart right now? In this chapel talk from Oak Hill College, Psalm 96 invites us to hear—and join—the greatest song: the song of Jesus as Creator, King, and coming Judge. This message explores: Why the gospel gets drowned out in everyday life How Psalm 96 reorients our hearts What it means to live and minister with confidence The hope of Jesus’ return that reshapes ev...

In this chapel talk from Oak Hill College, Eben Adu reflects on how the global landscape of Christianity is changing—and how we must be prepared to respond. With the majority of Christians now living in the Global South, the church is no longer centred in the West. What does this mean for ministry in the UK? How do we engage a diverse, multicultural, and multi-faith society with wisdom and humilit...

What shapes our character? In this chapel message from 2 Samuel 18, Sophie Bannister explores the life of Absalom and the tragic breakdown of his relationship with David. The passage exposes the danger of resisting God’s rule — but also points us to the transforming power of surrendering to Jesus Christ. A message about character, the heart, and the hope of real change. Sophie Bannister serves in...

How can a church made up of very different people remain united under pressure? In this chapel message from Philippians 2 , Mike Kendall explores how the humility of Christ provides the foundation for real Christian unity. Paul calls believers to adopt the mindset of Christ — the one who humbled himself to death on a cross and was exalted to the highest place. A message about humility, service, an...

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” — Matthew 5:4 What does Jesus mean? How can mourning possibly be blessed? In this Oak Hill College Chapel message, Vaughan Roberts opens the second Beatitude and explores what it truly means to grieve over sin — our own, the church’s, and the world’s — and how that mourning leads to the deep comfort of the gospel. This is a searching messa...

What does a healthy church look like? In this Oak Hill College Chapel message, we explore the “spiritual DNA” of the church at Antioch in Acts of the Apostles 11–13. Antioch was a diverse, strategic, international church — and a model of gospel health. From this passage we see that: Jesus plants his church Jesus grows his church Jesus uses his church Through ordinary believers, encouragement, fait...

What if pride is the hidden root beneath so many of our struggles? In this Oak Hill College Chapel talk, we explore Daniel 5 and the fall of Belshazzar — a king whose pride looked obvious and foolish. But pride isn’t always loud or boastful. More often, it hides behind perfectionism, prayerlessness, anxiety, carelessness, even ministry. Daniel 5 shines a light on the foolishness of pride. But it d...

In this sermon, Chris Wright @LanghamPartnershipUKI explores one of the most searching biblical questions: what does it really mean to know God? Drawing from Jeremiah 9:23–24, Wright challenges the common assumption that knowing God is primarily about knowledge, experience, or spiritual privilege. Instead, Scripture defines knowing God as sharing in what God Himself delights in — steadfast love, j...

Experience this powerful chapel sermon from James Robson at Oak Hill College, exploring Luke 2 and the message spoken to shepherds in the darkness: “Do not be afraid.” Through story, scripture, and reflection, James unpacks what good news really means, why joy defeats fear, and how the birth of Jesus brings hope today. 📌 Topics covered: • Luke 2 and the shepherds • The meaning of Christian joy •...

In this Oak Hill College chapel sermon, theologian and minister Justyn Terry opens Matthew 1 and shows how Jesus is introduced as the Son of Abraham, the Son of David, and ultimately the Son of God. Through genealogy, Scripture, and history, Terry reveals how Jesus fulfils covenant promises, brings blessing to the nations, and conquers every spiritual enemy. This message encourages believers prepa...

In this powerful sermon on Haggai 1, Jonty Rhodes explores how busyness can mask spiritual drift, why God’s people in Haggai’s day stopped building the temple, and how God’s zeal for His people is the ultimate antidote to our apathy. Jonty draws connections across Scripture — from the return from exile, to the Great Commission, to Christ as the true Temple — showing how God’s desire to dwell with...

Communicating the Beauty of Christ to our Culture A message from Rosie Woodbridge at Find Your Voice 2025. In this warm, hope-filled Christmas talk, Rosie helps us slow down, breathe, and rediscover the breathtaking beauty of Jesus — Emmanuel, God with us, and Jesus, the One who saves His people from their sins. Through the story of Joseph and Mary, the humility of the incarnation, and the ache of...

How do women discover their true voice in a world full of comparison, pressure, and expectations? In this inspiring talk from Find Your Voice 2025, author and speaker Sharon Dirckx explores what it means to speak with authenticity, confidence, and God-shaped identity. Drawing from Scripture, personal experience, and stories of women finding freedom to be themselves — including England rugby legend...

This Christmas season, Pete Snow challenges us to rethink what real wealth looks like. Using the powerful contrast between Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim, Pete calls Christian leaders—and the Church—to embrace contentment, flee from greed, and rediscover generosity that can truly change the world. A timeless message rooted in the Apostle Paul’s warning in 1 Timothy 6:6–10: the treasure that lasts i...