20 Nov 2025, 20:01Sam O Davies, BUC Communication and Media Director
Reflecting Hope Retreat Inspires Leaders Through Spirit-Empowered Discipleship
More than 220 evangelism and personal ministries leaders from across the British Union Conference (BUC) gathered at the Hinckley Leonardo Hotel from 7-9 November for the final Reflecting Hope weekend of the current quinquennium. The retreat brought together speakers from the UK and abroad, offering participants practical guidance, insight, and renewed zeal for mission, under the theme ‘Inspiring Hope through Spirit-Empowered Discipleship’.
BUC Evangelism Director Dr Augustus Lawrence led the weekend retreat, which featured guest presenters Dr Michael Lewis, Dr Michael Mbui, Kris Lenart, Pastor Hon Ni Tsang, and Dr Jeff Couzins, each contributing to a dynamic exploration of discipleship, evangelism, community engagement, and cross-faith witness. Attendees left with practical tools and a deeper commitment to making disciples in their local territories.
Adding to the programme’s richness, the Stanborough Press was present throughout the event, offering a wide range of books and resources for attendees to purchase to support their ministry and personal growth.
A Weekend Marking the End of a Quinquennium
As the BUC prepares for its 2026 Session next July, this retreat culminates the Reflecting Hope initiative, which has shaped evangelistic training throughout the quinquennium. Attendees expressed gratitude for the space to refocus, reflect, and realign their mission priorities.
The Power of Evangelistic Witness
The retreat opened with a devotional message from Kris Lenart, an international speaker and founder of the Lenart Leadership Institute, who shared memorable experiences from evangelistic meetings in Mauritius.
Lenart reminded participants that the power of Scripture ultimately fuels evangelism, the name of Jesus, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. “Our power comes from the Word of God,” he emphasised. “It is through Jesus that demons flee, lives are restored, and communities are transformed.”
Sharing his own conversion testimony and mission experience, Lenart encouraged leaders and participants to take bold, simple steps: organise evangelistic meetings for young people, pray intentionally for one person to lead to baptism, and reach out proactively within their communities.
Interactive Devotionals: Spiritual Lessons Through Simple Acts
Pastor Hon Ni Tsang led the morning devotionals. It added a positive dimension to the retreat. She used simple, practical illustrations to lead the participants in reflective, interactive sessions that demonstrated spiritual truths through everyday actions. Her object lessons offered light and thought-provoking insights, grounding the retreat in meaningful spiritual reflection.
Discipleship as the Heart of the Mission
Friday evening’s keynote presentation from Dr Michael Lewis, Associate Director for the North American Division Evangelism Institute, explored the theological and practical foundations of biblical discipleship. Lewis argued that the Church has excelled at evangelism but struggled with retention because many congregations lack clear discipleship pathways.
“Discipleship is not an event or a programme, it is journeying with people,” Lewis stated. “Baptism is not the end point; it is the starting point.”
He challenged churches to restructure their systems around disciple-making, prioritise relational evangelism, and nurture intentional pathways, all grounded in the power of the Holy Spirit rather than in programmes or events alone.
Church Mission, Culture, and the Local Context
On Sabbath morning, Pastor Michael Mbui examined the connection between church culture and discipleship by using his congregation as a case study. Through initiatives such as daily prayer, memory texts, food-bank ministry, and a community garden, his church works to embed discipleship into every aspect of congregational life.
His emphasis on the model of “Jesus with me, Jesus in me, Jesus through me” reminded attendees that discipleship is both personal and missional.
Testimonies from local members involved in community initiatives illustrated how authentic relationships and shared acts of service draw people closer to faith.
Regional Reports: Discipleship in Action
Conferences and Missions across the BUC presented updates on key evangelistic and discipleship initiatives. The Scottish Mission highlighted their community engagement events, including youth music programmes, health expos, family support groups, and their participation in large-scale festival outreach. Similar creative events and initiatives were shared by leaders across the Union, with each territory sharing practical ways they have been fostering community connection.
Strategy Sessions on Prayer, Bible Studies, and Community Engagement
Further strategy discussions led by Lewis and Lenart explored:
1. Prayer-Driven Evangelism
Leaders were encouraged to pray intentionally for individuals open to faith conversations and to practice daily reliance on the Holy Spirit.
2. The Bible Study Movement
Lenart shared examples of rapid Bible study multiplication through visitation and relational engagement.
3. Community Engagement “From the Outside In”
Lewis outlined how churches can create mission action plans grounded in real community needs, supported by data, compassion, and collaboration.
Interfaith Evangelism and Courageous Witness
On Sunday morning, Dr Jeff Couzins presented an insightful seminar on engaging the Muslim community with wisdom and respect. Drawing from both Scripture and the Qur’an, he identified practical bridges for discussing Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and righteousness by faith.
Couzins emphasised trust-building, personal stories, and relational witness – urging attendees to avoid confrontations and instead cultivate genuine friendships.
Angel Alishev and Michael Garkov, leaders of ASI-UK, also shared an overview of the organisation’s mission, encouraging church leaders to collaborate more closely with lay members who are committed to marketplace evangelism.
ADC Resource Feature: The Wise Man’s Journal
Throughout the retreat, the Adventist Discovery Centre (ADC) offered a range of outreach and discipleship materials. ADC Director Pastor Christian Salcianu introduced The Wise Man’s Journal, a new Christmas discipleship booklet by Catherine Anthony Boldeau.
Salcianu encouraged every delegate to use the resource in their local outreach efforts during the festive season, emphasising its value for sharing the story of Jesus in accessible and meaningful ways.
Closing Expressions of Gratitude
At the close of the weekend retreat, Dr Augustus Lawrence expressed heartfelt appreciation to the presenters, organisers, and all who contributed to making the retreat a meaningful success. He acknowledged individuals for their specific contributions, thanked attendees for their engagement, and urged them to carry the weekend’s insights back into their local churches, with renewed commitment to Spirit-empowered discipleship and to sharing Christ’s love with their communities.
Pastor Augustus Lawrence also expressed heartfelt appreciation to Mr Michael Garkov for his tremendous support of the British Union Conference’s evangelism and discipleship initiatives. In recognition of his contribution and a significant financial donation toward the ministry, Mr Garkov was presented with a commemorative plaque as a token of gratitude.
More than 220 evangelism and personal ministries leaders from across the British Union Conference (BUC) gathered at the Hinckley Leonardo Hotel from 7-9 November for the final Reflecting Hope weekend of the current quinquennium. The retreat brought together speakers from the UK and abroad, offering participants practical guidance, insight, and renewed zeal for mission, under the theme ‘Inspiring Hope through Spirit-Empowered Discipleship’.
BUC Evangelism Director Dr Augustus Lawrence led the weekend retreat, which featured guest presenters Dr Michael Lewis, Dr Michael Mbui, Kris Lenart, Pastor Hon Ni Tsang, and Dr Jeff Couzins, each contributing to a dynamic exploration of discipleship, evangelism, community engagement, and cross-faith witness. Attendees left with practical tools and a deeper commitment to making disciples in their local territories.
Adding to the programme’s richness, the Stanborough Press was present throughout the event, offering a wide range of books and resources for attendees to purchase to support their ministry and personal growth.
A Weekend Marking the End of a Quinquennium
As the BUC prepares for its 2026 Session next July, this retreat culminates the Reflecting Hope initiative, which has shaped evangelistic training throughout the quinquennium. Attendees expressed gratitude for the space to refocus, reflect, and realign their mission priorities.
The Power of Evangelistic Witness
The retreat opened with a devotional message from Kris Lenart, an international speaker and founder of the Lenart Leadership Institute, who shared memorable experiences from evangelistic meetings in Mauritius.
Lenart reminded participants that the power of Scripture ultimately fuels evangelism, the name of Jesus, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. “Our power comes from the Word of God,” he emphasised. “It is through Jesus that demons flee, lives are restored, and communities are transformed.”
Sharing his own conversion testimony and mission experience, Lenart encouraged leaders and participants to take bold, simple steps: organise evangelistic meetings for young people, pray intentionally for one person to lead to baptism, and reach out proactively within their communities.
Interactive Devotionals: Spiritual Lessons Through Simple Acts
Pastor Hon Ni Tsang led the morning devotionals. It added a positive dimension to the retreat. She used simple, practical illustrations to lead the participants in reflective, interactive sessions that demonstrated spiritual truths through everyday actions. Her object lessons offered light and thought-provoking insights, grounding the retreat in meaningful spiritual reflection.
Discipleship as the Heart of the Mission
Friday evening’s keynote presentation from Dr Michael Lewis, Associate Director for the North American Division Evangelism Institute, explored the theological and practical foundations of biblical discipleship. Lewis argued that the Church has excelled at evangelism but struggled with retention because many congregations lack clear discipleship pathways.
“Discipleship is not an event or a programme, it is journeying with people,” Lewis stated. “Baptism is not the end point; it is the starting point.”
He challenged churches to restructure their systems around disciple-making, prioritise relational evangelism, and nurture intentional pathways, all grounded in the power of the Holy Spirit rather than in programmes or events alone.
Church Mission, Culture, and the Local Context
On Sabbath morning, Pastor Michael Mbui examined the connection between church culture and discipleship by using his congregation as a case study. Through initiatives such as daily prayer, memory texts, food-bank ministry, and a community garden, his church works to embed discipleship into every aspect of congregational life.
His emphasis on the model of “Jesus with me, Jesus in me, Jesus through me” reminded attendees that discipleship is both personal and missional.
Testimonies from local members involved in community initiatives illustrated how authentic relationships and shared acts of service draw people closer to faith.
Regional Reports: Discipleship in Action
Conferences and Missions across the BUC presented updates on key evangelistic and discipleship initiatives. The Scottish Mission highlighted their community engagement events, including youth music programmes, health expos, family support groups, and their participation in large-scale festival outreach. Similar creative events and initiatives were shared by leaders across the Union, with each territory sharing practical ways they have been fostering community connection.
Strategy Sessions on Prayer, Bible Studies, and Community Engagement
Further strategy discussions led by Lewis and Lenart explored:
1. Prayer-Driven Evangelism
Leaders were encouraged to pray intentionally for individuals open to faith conversations and to practice daily reliance on the Holy Spirit.
2. The Bible Study Movement
Lenart shared examples of rapid Bible study multiplication through visitation and relational engagement.
3. Community Engagement “From the Outside In”
Lewis outlined how churches can create mission action plans grounded in real community needs, supported by data, compassion, and collaboration.
Interfaith Evangelism and Courageous Witness
On Sunday morning, Dr Jeff Couzins presented an insightful seminar on engaging the Muslim community with wisdom and respect. Drawing from both Scripture and the Qur’an, he identified practical bridges for discussing Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and righteousness by faith.
Couzins emphasised trust-building, personal stories, and relational witness – urging attendees to avoid confrontations and instead cultivate genuine friendships.
Angel Alishev and Michael Garkov, leaders of ASI-UK, also shared an overview of the organisation’s mission, encouraging church leaders to collaborate more closely with lay members who are committed to marketplace evangelism.
ADC Resource Feature: The Wise Man’s Journal
Throughout the retreat, the Adventist Discovery Centre (ADC) offered a range of outreach and discipleship materials. ADC Director Pastor Christian Salcianu introduced The Wise Man’s Journal, a new Christmas discipleship booklet by Catherine Anthony Boldeau.
Salcianu encouraged every delegate to use the resource in their local outreach efforts during the festive season, emphasising its value for sharing the story of Jesus in accessible and meaningful ways.
Closing Expressions of Gratitude
At the close of the weekend retreat, Dr Augustus Lawrence expressed heartfelt appreciation to the presenters, organisers, and all who contributed to making the retreat a meaningful success. He acknowledged individuals for their specific contributions, thanked attendees for their engagement, and urged them to carry the weekend’s insights back into their local churches, with renewed commitment to Spirit-empowered discipleship and to sharing Christ’s love with their communities.
Pastor Augustus Lawrence also expressed heartfelt appreciation to Mr Michael Garkov for his tremendous support of the British Union Conference’s evangelism and discipleship initiatives. In recognition of his contribution and a significant financial donation toward the ministry, Mr Garkov was presented with a commemorative plaque as a token of gratitude.
