Testimonials

This section contains testimonials for Affinity from leaders of churches and Christian organisations.

I warmly welcome the launch of Affinity as the successor to BEC. Without compromising the latter’s stand on doctrine and ecumenical matters, Affinity promises to become a significant resource for both churches and individuals committed to promulgating the historic, biblical, conservative, evangelical faith.
Edgar Andrews, Co-editor, Evangelical Times

Welcome Affinity! A bold, much needed initiative that will help provide a wonderful focal point and catalyst for bible-centred local churches to work together and encourage one another in gospel enterprises.
Trevor Archer, Chessington Evangelical Church, Surrey

I welcome this initiative to re-position all the very best that the BEC stood for over many years in the light of changing times. We need an intellectually credible and culturally relevant evangelicalism such as is suggested by the new-look BEC. In partnership with others, may we see a helpful shift in the way evangelical thinking is both perceived and presented.
Peter Baker, Highfields Church, Cardiff

Who knows what God is able to achieve when Bible-centred Christians stand together, one in heart and mind? With nearly 1,200 congregations already involved, the future possibilities for Affinity are immensely exciting.
John Benton, Editor, Evangelicals Now

In a day when so many are either withdrawing into isolationism or drifting into confused compromise, I warmly welcome Affinity and commend its burden for, and vision of, a true biblical ecumenism. This venture and those who lead it deserve the prayers and support of all who are unashamed to stand by the unchanging truths of God’s Word.
John D Brand, UK Director, AIM International

I am excited by the launch of Affinity and am persuaded that the time is right in our nation for such a new venture. Strategically we need an uncompromised, and uncompromising, evangelical voice that will sound forth the truths of the Word of God with theological clarity, spiritual sanity, moral honesty and a challenge that cannot be avoided.
David Carmichael, Chairman, Scottish Reformed Conference

As Affinity is launched, I pray that it will be greatly used to prioritise and proclaim ‘Christ and him crucified’ in our churches and nation in these challenging times.
Roger Carswell, Evangelist

In Affinity I detect a new commitment by Bible-centred churches to stand together and promote the interests of the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am delighted that we can look to Affinity to express, with a clear voice, our views on the important issues that face society today.
David Chapman, Secretary, The Association of Grace Baptist Churches (South East)

In an increasingly post-modern and relativistic world, it is refreshing to see a thoughtful and carefully biblical voice for the Church of Jesus Christ, encouraging and challenging the people of God, and engaging with those outside the Church. In this, we share a common goal and desire with Affinity, to see the God of all the earth glorified through his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
David Clark, Executive Director, Evangelical Press

While the new, regional ‘Gospel Partnerships’ are important for focused cooperation in local church gospel ministry, Affinity offers many churches a much wider and complementary range of cooperative activities. We live in spiritually dark times; it seems to be getting darker in the ancient denominations; but this darkness only accentuates the bright hope of evangelicals working together. Anglican evangelicals can only be encouraged by the launch of Affinity.
Richard Coekin, Dundonald Church, Wimbledon, London

Our culture is moving further and further from its biblical roots. There is a great need for Bible-centred churches and Christians to work together and to connect with our society as never before, while holding fast to the truth of God’s Word. The launch of Affinity is a tremendously encouraging development, and my prayer is that it will be widely supported.
David Couchman, Director, Focus Radio

Praise God for BEC’s valuable work in the past. Under a new name, I pray its ministry will impact powerfully and extensively in promoting a dynamic, Bible-centred Christianity.
Eryl Davies, Principal, Evangelical Theological College of Wales

In days of theological and moral confusion in our land it is a great encouragement to know, and to be able to support, a strong evangelical movement which will address the needs of our nation. We continue to endorse the stance of BEC under its new name Affinity, and look forward to working with many other like-minded evangelical bodies.
John Davies, Chairman, Management Committee, Evangelical Movement of Wales

In recent years there has been an encouraging drawing together of evangelical Christians who are essentially motivated and directed by their strong commitment to the Lordship of Christ through the Bible. I have no doubt at all that Affinity will confirm and advance this process, and that under the visionary and respected leadership of its new Director there will be an encouraging future for all Bible-centred Christians as they work together.
Brian Edwards, Bible Teacher and Author

Churches that are robustly Bible-centred, together with like-minded institutions, need to stand together pooling resources and presenting a strong voice to the nation. I therefore welcome this re-launch of BEC and wish it well under the leadership of its new director.
Philip Eveson, Principal, London Theological Seminary

The vision behind Affinity is not of a static bureaucracy but a living movement committed to articulating, defending and proclaiming the biblical message to our contemporaries in the 21st century. It promises to provide a vehicle for meaningful partnership in the great enterprise of getting the gospel out. We cannot but be impressed by the warmth of its spirit; the boldness of its vision and the depth of its grasp on the essential core of evangelical truth.
Liam Goligher, Duke Street Church, Richmond, Surrey

It’s very exciting to see so many churches uniting, not only on the basis of shared beliefs, but with a shared purpose a passion and priority to work together to take the gospel into our society.
Mark Greene, Executive Director, The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity

Welcome to Affinity! It is a great encouragement for me to see this new, energetic and imaginative initiative. Churches uniting to proclaim the full biblical gospel is just what is needed when the evangelical world is splintering and losing its distinctiveness.
John Grier, Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ireland

I am personally delighted to commend the launch of Affinity. Evangelical Christians need to take seriously the cause of our Lord Jesus Christ beyond their own congregational or denominational horizons. Affinity has the vision and the potential, under God, to help us develop a truly biblical ecumenism”.
Ian Hamilton, Cambridge Presbyterian Church

I welcome the re-launch of the BEC. When Christians stand together they have a much greater influence for Christ. At a time of such moral, ethical and spiritual confusion in our society and in the institutional church, there is a pressing need for biblical Christians to speak out for what is right. This is a vital part of Affinity’s vision and I wish it every success.
Colin Hart, Director, The Christian Institute

I welcome the launch of Affinity as one of the most important developments in British evangelical life. Here at last is an inter-denominational movement that is solidly biblical and spiritual, seeking to be contemporary without compromising. The evangelical Church in Britain can benefit greatly from this new initiative.
Phil Hill, Hockliffe Street Baptist Church, Leighton Buzzard, Beds

This is a time, as never before, for gospel people to be actively working together. I am thankful for the vision and spiritual energy in Jonathan’s leadership of Affinity and look forward to God’s blessing in a new era of co-operative evangelism, church planting and the raising-up and equipping of a new workforce, across our land.
David Jackman, Director, Cornhill Training Course, Proclamation Trust

We are delighted to commend this fresh initiative to encourage fellowship between Bible-based churches and ministries.
Bill & Sharon James, UK Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

All good Christian people should pray for Jonathan Stephen as, by Gods grace, he leads the inter-church group Affinity through the troubled waters of 21st Century evangelicalism. It has the potential to become a vigorous force for biblical church growth.
Graham John, Secretary, Associating Evangelical Churches of Wales

The credibility of the gospel depends on the unity of God’s people. Affinity’s desire to bring together churches and Christian organisations through their shared commitment to evangelical truth is simply the fulfilment of a Christ-ordained responsibility. The need for such an agency has never been so acute as in our age of evangelical meltdown. It is worthy of the prayerful, practical support of all serious-minded evangelical churches.
Mark Johnston, Grove Chapel, Camberwell, London

The need for a tidal wave of godliness is something I believe that Affinity and those in partnership with it see and wish to work for. In dependence on God both in private and in public, and with Bible in heart and mind, let us all join in the pursuit of that goal.
William MacKenzie, Managing Director, Christian Focus Publications

As an independent church, geographically isolated, and detached from local church initiatives because of our insistence on unity in truth, we welcome the opportunity that Affinity affords to identify and actively associate with like-minded Bible-centred churches on a national level.
David Magowan, Whitby Evangelical Church, N Yorks

I’m delighted to hear of the re-launch of the BEC under the new name Affinity. This is clearly the result of a long and courageous look at the work of the Council. I believe the declared intention of Affinity to ‘demonstrate the unity of Christ’s Church for the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom’ can only lead to the blessing of God on this important initiative.
Peter Maiden, International Director, Operation Mobilisation

This simply has to be the right move in the right direction at the right time led by the right man!
David Matson, Course Administrator, Prepared for Service, FIEC

The steady decline of evangelical influence in our nation necessitates an orthodox body with strong biblical convictions, clear vision for its aims and a faithful witness to the gospel. I believe that Affinity provides this representative voice and congratulate those responsible for dedicating their time and efforts in this field.
Victor Maxwell, Banbridge Baptist Church, County Down, Northern Ireland

The Congregational Union of Ireland wishes Affinity and its new Director God’s blessing for the future. We thank him for all that is past, and trust him for all that’s to come.
Raymond McLarnin, CUI

As founder partners in the original BEC, we are willing and enthusiastic partners in Affinity. We see Affinity as the vehicle of a new generation to bring the values of the past into the world of the future. We pray that Affinity will continue to be clear, contemporary and Christ-centred and that it will be used in the revitalisation of biblical evangelicalism.
David Meredith, Smithton-Culloden Free Church of Scotland, Inverness

The launch of Affinity is a great encouragement to all Christians who are committed to the Bible and to the Church. I pray that churches and Christians throughout the UK will recognise the significance of this new initiative and give it their wholehearted support.
Peter Milsom, Director, UFM Worldwide

The Association of Irish Evangelical Churches is delighted with the establishment of Affinity and we look forward to exploring the possibilities for co-operation among true evangelicals across the Irish Sea, for the Glory of God and the extension of His Kingdom.
Paudge Mulvihill, Hon. Secretary, Association of Irish Evangelical Churches

As a representative of one of the founding Churches of the BEC, I look back with thankfulness for the witness over the past 50 years. A half-century of radical changes in the Church scene called for a re-think and a new approach, while holding on to the very same biblical convictions as our founders. I pray that the Lord will make the new Affinity a blessing to the churches and a means of advancing His glory in this new century.
John J Murray, Moderator, Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)

It is good to be able to identify with our Independent and Baptist brethren as well as those from other Presbyterian Churches. We look forward to Affinity encouraging a growing sense of identity in the evangelical community throughout Britain and Ireland.
Brian Norton, Evangelical Presbyterian Church in England and Wales

As I understand the Word of God, every church that is true to the gospel is in fellowship with every other gospel church. Our problem is that we find it difficult to express that fellowship. Affinity gives us a means of doing so. I warmly commend its ministry.
Stuart Olyott, Pastoral Director, Evangelical Movement of Wales

The gospel message is stunningly relevant and desperately needed. We are delighted to welcome Affinity as a vehicle through which gospel relationships find contemporary expression and vigorous encouragement.
Andrew Paterson, President, Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches

If a revitalised BEC can be a catalyst in the formation and reformation of vibrant, evangelical churches throughout the UK and Ireland it will bring much praise to God. I am pleased to encourage this initiative, with its aim of promoting a united witness to the biblical gospel in our generation.
David Peterson, Principal, Oak Hill College

I am greatly encouraged by this new initiative to draw more Bible-believing, gospel-preaching churches and organisations together under the umbrella of Affinity. United we stand (and by God’s grace can and will make an impact) divided we fall (into weakness and ineffectiveness and isolationism).
David Piper, Administrator, The Association of Grace Baptist Churches (East Anglia)

Our evangelical heritage of theological faithfulness and sensitivity, coupled with principled engagement with society, has been lost and replaced in the public mind by an image of mindless spiritual hedonism. I am excited that Affinity’s launch may herald not only a step forward into the future but also a reclaiming of a precious and valuable past.
Mike Plant, General Secretary, The Evangelical Fellowship of Evangelical Congregational Churches

As we face the demands of this generation, we must be biblical but also adventurous in our united commitment to the cause of Christ. Under Jonathan’s leadership, I believe the BEC will demonstrate these vital qualities, as together we step out into an exciting future.
John Roberts, Editor, Day One Publications

As our nation drifts further away from God, it is vital that Bible-focused, Christ-loving evangelicals work together for the sake of the gospel.
Vaughan Roberts, St Ebbe’s Church, Oxford

I’m so thrilled to see the transformation of the BEC into Affinity a new, vital and much-needed voice that will speak, not only for all truly evangelical churches, but which will represent a strong and vigorous biblical Christianity to a new and needy generation.
Tony Ruston, Director, The Martyn Lloyd-Jones Recordings Trust

Affinity is coming to birth at a time when many Bible-believing churches and leaders are becoming aware of the damaging effects of isolation. I wish it every success as it spreads its net to embrace gospel people throughout the UK who will contribute to this expression of our unity in Christ.
Bev Savage, General Secretary, Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches

I am delighted at the launch of Affinity. The need for Bible-centred churches to contend side by side for the proclamation of the gospel is as urgent as ever. I hope that many churches will be brought into united gospel partnership through this initiative.
William Taylor, St Helen’s Church, Bishopsgate, London

I am personally indebted to the BEC for helping me understand the gospel hallmark of the evangelical faith and the scope and stimulus of fellowship it made possible. I look forward to the continuing fellowship that Affinity will promote. We anticipate great partnership here in Wales with regions beyond!
Meirion Thomas, Malpas Road Evangelical Church, Newport, S Wales

I have been involved in a number of initiatives to help draw Bible-believing, gospel-hearted Christians together across the boundaries which have so long divided us. It is my prayer that this new initiative will be a significant step forward for all of us in working together to reach the lost of our needy nation.
Tim Thornborough, Managing Director, The Good Book Company

This is not the time for petty exclusivism or small agendas, but for big hearts, clear minds and bold ventures. As gospel people, our commitment is to God, his Church and his World. Affinity is a unique and welcome opportunity to demonstrate that commitment in meaningful and godly partnership around the truth of God’s Word.
Steve Timmis, The Crowded House, Sheffield

Christ-centred, compassionate and creative Affinity is exactly the sort of gospel partnership which is needed to win a needy nation for Christ.
Melvin Tinker, St John’s Church, Newland, Kingston-upon-Hull

The voice of the evangelical Christian has been ignored for too long. The UEC welcomes the new impetus that Affinity will give, so a Bible-based view can be presented to the nation.
Bob Werrett, Chairman, Union of Evangelical Churches