Whilst every generation is different, one characteristic that seems to be raising its head more and more today is the lack of encouragement. As almost everyone who has the opportunity to visit a variety of local churches can testify, encouragement is in very short supply. Everyone wants it and everyone needs it, but so few seem to find or show it.

One2Lead is Counties’ training programme for young people aged 16 to their twenties. Over two years, across six weekends, participants engage in practical and interactive theology, personal development, and ministry formation seminars. Jess was there at the very start, attending the first ever One2Lead weekend back in 2009.

Graham Jack grew up watching his father lead people to faith across East Anglia. Now, decades later, he is back where it all began – replanting a church on a Bury St Edmunds estate and trusting God to do it again.

Mark Bingham, Counties evangelist in Kent, has spent years walking the streets of Kent, stopping to talk, listen and share the Gospel with whoever he meets. He tells Ignite about the encounters that keep him going – and why he believes ordinary Christians are more ready for this than they think.

Emma Veal on how the Neighbourhood Chaplains scheme helped her church in Ballymena step out in faith – and what happened when they did.

Colin Johnson on how the Counties’ Neighbourhood Chaplains scheme is taking the Gospel to the doorsteps of communities across the UK – one conversation at a time.

Rachel Erwin shares how one woman’s remarkable journey revealed the transforming power of the Gospel – and what happens when the local church is equipped and ready to respond.

Tony and Brenda Ozue left Nigeria with a shared conviction: that Europe needed the Gospel, and that they had a part to play. Ignite caught up with them in Peckham to hear what happened next.

Counties evangelist Kim Hobbs reflects on accompanying a man through his final years – a man society had all but forgotten.

“Six years ago, when I was 54, I had an encounter with God that changed everything.“

Something is stirring across the UK. Quietly, steadily, growing numbers of people are turning to the Bible, to their local church, and to the person of Jesus – searching for meaning, purpose, and hope.

Counties is delighted to welcome Tom Binding as a new Deputy Life Exhibition Coordinator.

Easter changes everything! Whatever your mind can conceive: creation itself, personal life now, the future, relationships – everything is changed because of Easter. Nothing is the same!

For many churches, engaging local primary schools can feel daunting, but the Life exhibition can open doors. Designed primarily for year 5 and 6 pupils, it provides an immersive learning experience that complements RE lessons and locally agreed syllabuses.

Windmill Community Church, in Wolverhampton, has recently held two baptismal services, with twelve people declaring their faith in Christ.

Counties evangelists, Gordon and Penny Curley, attend Alresford Show every year to help run the Farm Chapel & Friends tent of witness. Each year, they meet new people as they work with a group of Christians drawn together by their commitment to sharing the Gospel.

On Sunday 21 December Andy Jelfs went home to be with Jesus. For six decades, the ministry of Andy Jelfs left a deep and unmistakable mark on churches, communities, and individuals across the UK.

Reflections from GLO Summer Teams 2025, by Judith McKeown and Stephen McQuoid. GLO Europe is a long time mission partner of Counties, with a focus on Summer mission teams, church planting in Europe and training.

Counties’ senior evangelist, Ray Dadswell, has recently received the Lord Lieutenant of Sussex’s Certificate for Meritorious Service. Only later did he learn quite how significant the honour was.

Counties evangelist, Steve Cowles, ministry is practical, relational, outdoors and deeply rooted in the Gospel. Originally from the United States, Steve has spent more than three decades shaping lives in the UK through chaplaincy, evangelism and innovative outdoors outreach - equipping others to share Christ using the gifts and environments God has already placed in their hands.