Christmas 2025 Update
Thank you so much for your ongoing partnership with the Bonar Trust. Here is an update on the last few months as well as a look ahead to the start of 2026. We're so thankful for your partnership in this work in Scotland, and hope that there is fuel here for your interest and prayers.
Trainers' Days
We were delighted to be able host three Trainers' Days across Scotland (previously called Training the Trainers), in Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow. These were planned and delivered in partnership with local church leaders in those cities, and over the three days we welcomed about 30 trainers from local churches and training providers. With various bugs doing the rounds a few individuals had to drop out at the last minute, but for those who gathered it was an encouraging time thinking through the way that character, convictions and competence should drive and shape training in local churches. It was particularly encouraging to see the breadth of churches and training providers that were represented, and to prayerfully ask God to raise up more workers for the Scottish field in warm partnership with brothers and sisters was a real joy. Please pray that the Lord of the Harvest would raise up workers in and through the faithful work of these churches and providers.
Partnership
It has been a privilege to work with such a diverse range of local churches and training providers across Scotland over these past few months. I have begun visiting churches around Scotland to speak about the work of the Trust, and the warmth and tangible partnership has been wonderful to experience. In travelling to both rural and urban areas the need in Scotland for more workers and churches is only underlined, and so we are very thankful to deepen existing relationships and to establish new ones with faithful churches who are seeking to make disciples wherever they are. Please pray on for these relationships to be marked by Christ-like love and clarity of purpose, and to be really enriching to the mission of these churches on the ground in their training of the next generation of workers.
Fundraising
We are thankful for encouragements as we prayerfully look to raise money ahead of grant making decisions in 2026. It has been great to establish some new partnerships, and we would ask you to pray on for the Lord to provide whatever He wills in the coming months. If you are someone who has given to the work here, we are thankful for you!
If you are someone who would be able to partner with us in financial giving, whether as a one-off or more regularly, please do get in touch with us directly. You can find more information and details of how to give here. Please pray on for the fundraising efforts of the Trust, so that we can partner as effectively and generously as possible in Scotland.
Looking ahead
The first few months of 2026 will see a couple of things for which we would covet your prayers.
In February we will be hosting two of our preaching and teaching residentials in Arbroath, with both groups being made up of Trust alumni who are now serving in ministries across Scotland. I will be leading a group through the book of Zechariah, and Andy Robertson (Charleston Community Church) will be teaching the book of Ezekiel. Please pray for rich times of encouragement and equipping for those who gather.
We will also be making sure everything is ready for the opening up of the 2026 application process for grants. Please pray for clarity and care on our side so that we can serve applicants well, and above all pray for lots of people with the character and desire to be trained in Scotland with whom we can partner.
Thank you once again for your prayerful partnership with us in this work.
Yours in our Lord,
Hamish Sneddon
Trust Director