Chapel Talks

What does it mean to love the Lord your God with all your mind in a culture that separates love from thought?

In this Oak Hill College Chapel Talk, Associate Teacher and church leader Mike Gilbart-Smith explores Jesus’ command in Mark 12:28–31. Addressing modern misconceptions of love, the rise of Artificial Intelligence, and the nature of Christian worship, Mike unpacks four essential ways we are called to love God with...

In this Oak Hill College Chapel talk, Thomas Renz explores 2 Timothy 3:10–17 to unpack how Scripture is profitable for ministry. Rather than focusing solely on what Scripture is, Paul emphasises how Timothy—and believers today—must use God-breathed Scripture to teach, rebuke, correct, and train in righteousness. Learn how Scripture makes us fully alive human beings, rescues our thinking from satanic accusations, a...

In this Oak Hill College Chapel talk, Chris Howles continues a two-part series exploring the life and ministry of Barnabas across Acts 11, 13, and 15. Barnabas demonstrates what it looks like when gospel grace loosens a leader's grip on possessions, status, and control. From developing Paul’s leadership in Antioch to navigating global church partnerships and handling sharp ministry conflicts, Barnabas shows us that grace rece...

What does it mean for a local Christian community to be one, holy, catholic, and apostolic? In this Chapel talk from Oak Hill College, Thomas Renz unpacks Acts 2:41–47, exploring how the classic traits of the Nicene Creed were lived out by the early Jerusalem church. Discover how these four foundational marks shape our understanding of fellowship, mission, biblical authority, and daily devotion in the life of the church today...

Who we walk with shapes who we become. In this Oak Hill College Chapel message, Chris Howles (Director of Cross Cultural Training) leads us through Acts 4, 9, and 11 to examine the cumulative portrait of Barnabas. Far from a simple "be like Barnabas" moralism, this talk explores how the costly, disrupting, and transforming grace of God frees us to release our possessions, advocate for unexpected believers, and rejoice in God’...

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 Apostle Peter is so unapologetically j...

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 England’ (2024) and a Cambri...

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 London City Mission and is a well-known ev...

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 on earth following the heavenly Jesu...

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 these small animals lean into their God-...

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 worth it?" is incredibly real. ...

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 others.

Bishop Tim reminds u...

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,

Mark highlights four essentia...

"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 habits for every disciple: Seeking and Sto...

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 refresh your soul. Discover why Jesu...

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 this episode:

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 eve...

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 humility?

This talk explores mission i...

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 Christian ministry in Spald...