Multiplying Churches that Proclaim Christ

A Short Word, December 2025

I recently had the great privilege to lead a preaching Workshop in East Asia—in a country where arrests of pastors are on the rise. It was deeply humbling to sit around the table with men who enter the pulpit each week, knowing it might be their last.

Because of government interference, church gatherings must stay small. One pastor—let’s call him Paul—sees this as an opportunity for church planting. Instead of growing large, churches multiply. This creates a great need for pastors who can shepherd and preach, and many house churches are led by pastors without formal training.

Workshops can help. Paul says they “played a role” in his five-year-old church, which “started out with lots of immature believers.” Now “I can feed them better from the scriptures, showing them how to see Jesus and better apply the scriptures.” The church has grown and planted two more congregations. Paul recommends the Charles Simeon Trust to other church planters. “I tell pastors, ‘Join once and taste the Workshop.’ Every time afterwards, people hunger to learn more.”

As we celebrate the arrival of Jesus Christ, I am so encouraged that he continues to multiply his church through the proclamation of his Word. Please join me in rejoicing and in praying for these pastors.

In Christ,
David R. Helm
Chairman
Charles Simeon Trust