It was a real privilege for my wife Ruth and me to spend ten days in the North of Scotland at the end of October. The purpose of our visit was to stir up interest in Gospel work in Europe and particularly to share about the ministry of EMF.

We covered over one thousand miles with six meetings being held in the North of Scotland and the Isle of Lewis. The beauty of God's creation was clearly witnessed every day with the Highlands looking stunning in the colours of autumn. I kept thinking ‘If this is the beauty of the fallen creation what will the new heavens and new earth be like?’

The Lord's people whom we met were warm and encouraging. Some had heard of EMF and levels of prayerful interest in the work in Europe were high. One congregation has already been in touch about the possibility of entering into a church partnership. In Smithton Free Church we met with folks who are preparing to go on a team to Almuñécar, Spain (Manuel Lopez and Alba Ortega) next summer.

One of the highlights of the visit was to meet up with Michael and Mary Steedman in Inverness and to enjoy a brief time of fellowship with them.

I am grateful to everyone who prayed for me and to the churches, friends and family members who provided such gracious hospitality during my visit. Special thanks to Sam Hamilton who turned my random selection of slides and videos into a very good PowerPoint presentation!

I’m based in Northern Ireland but intend throughout 2026 to make further visits to Scotland on behalf of EMF. I’m preaching at both services in Dumfries Free Church on Sunday 1 February and hope to go across in March for further deputation.

If you would like me to speak at your church either at a Sunday service or Midweek meeting please contact me at 07803 282489 or gnburke@yahoo.co.uk.

Let’s continue to pray that the Lord’s people throughout Scotland and the whole of the UK will become impassioned about the spread of the Gospel throughout Europe

Gareth Burke (EMF Scotland Representative)