The Power of Gospel Unity: What God Is Doing in London

Nathan Klahsen   -   November 26, 2024
Dear Knollwood Family,
I seek to share these things with you to encourage you and also challenge you to pray.  I’ve shared this story before, but it’s worth retelling as a reminder of God’s grace and provision. It provides the context for an exciting talk I recently gave, which I’d like to share with you.
Years ago, Pastor Norm Millar of Redemption began meeting with me regularly over lunch. He understood the challenges of leading Knollwood through a revitalization and sought to encourage and support me. During those meetings, he would often ask, “Nate, what do you need?” At the time, whether out of pride or naivety, I would respond with, “Just pray for me,” followed by a list of prayer requests. I didn’t fully grasp what he was offering.
It wasn’t until later—when my close friend joined Redemption’s pastoral team and asked me the same question on Norm’s behalf—that I began to understand. God had been working in me, breaking down pride, cynicism, and pessimism. Suddenly, I saw what was being asked. I felt overwhelmed because the needs seemed too great. I was broken.
On Sunday, I reminded us that thankful people are generous people. Generous people are hospitable people. And who should be more generous than those of us who have experienced the amazing grace of God? Redemption has been a tangible example of this generosity, reflecting the grace they’ve received. They have supported Knollwood in extraordinary ways:
  • Three years ago: They helped renovate our auditorium.
  • Afterward: Pastor Norm publicly called his congregation to consider going to Knollwood to join the gospel ministry here.
  • Most recently: Redemption gifted us with the resources to hire Pastor Chris and help us strengthen our pastoral team.
This generosity hasn’t ended.  This past Sunday, I had the privilege of participating in a “Revitalization Vision Casting Event” alongside David Driver, Pastor at Forest City Bible Church. It was a beautiful display of gospel unity: three churches from different associations working together to make much of Jesus in London. Over 100 people from Redemption gathered to hear about this vision to help revitalize Forest City Bible and Knollwood. I was humbled to see how God is uniting churches for His mission.
To give context, the term “revitalization” refers to churches that are plateaued or in decline. A longer definition would describe a revitalizing church as one that has drifted from biblical faithfulness in doctrine, leadership, or mission, leading to spiritual stagnation, disengagement, and weakened gospel witness. By God’s grace, Knollwood is no longer in decline, but we are still in process. When we look around on a Sunday morning, we see the evidence of God breathing new life into our church. This is cause for celebration and thanksgiving.
Below is the talk I gave at the event. It was a humbling moment to represent Knollwood and to share what God has been doing in and through us. God is good all the time, but there is a unique kindness we are experiencing as a church. May we celebrate His goodness together and commit to being a church that makes disciples who make disciples of Jesus Christ.

I share this with you to remind us of God’s faithfulness. Some of you may not know the history; others may need to be reminded. But together, let us marvel at what God has done and look forward to what He will do through us. May we be people who boldly ask: Am I willing to go?

Below you will find the talk given. Please read it.  Pray along with those who read this and heard these things on Sunday.  Pray also for Forest City Bible Church, Pastor David Driver, and other gospel-preaching churches in London.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Nate

Revitalization Talk

I find it hard to find the words to express my “thank you” to Redemption for what you have done for Knollwood. But please hear my “thank you”. A few years ago, Pastor Norm once said that there is only one kingdom and one gospel, and here I see that.  How else can we see three different church from different associations working together to make much of Jesus.  It’s humbling to see what God has been doing in London and to be part of it.  One day, I hope Knollwood will do what Redemption is doing tonight. If I may, I want to address you as I would address my church. My hope is that God would use Knollwood to breathe new life into local churches and become a sending church just as Redemption is seeking. But to do that, every person here tonight must ask an important question: Am I willing to go?

A few months ago, a friend and I discussed Norm’s request for people to go. We talked about Knollwood’s needs, the kingdom, and how amazing it is to see churches coming together to support one another. At the end of that conversation, my friend paused and asked, “But am I willing to go?”

That question stuck with me because it challenges everything we’ve been taught. Our culture says, “Work hard to be comfortable,” but Jesus calls us to step into discomfort. Romans 8:18 says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed.” As Christians, we live in the tension of present suffering and future glory. A theologian described this as the already-but-not-yet: we’re saved, but we’re not yet home. The Christian life isn’t about settling into comfort but about walking by faith, with our eyes firmly set on the hope we have in Christ. That hope is what allows us to ask the question: Am I willing to go?

Jesus’ final words to His disciples in the Great Commission call us to go and make disciples of all nations. A willingness to go comes from a desire to see more worshippers of God. The mission isn’t just to fill one or two churches; it’s to see many healthy churches shining the light of Christ brightly across our city. London needs more gospel witnesses, and that’s why I’m asking you: Are you willing to go?

Going is hard. It’s uncomfortable to leave what is known for what is unknown. Some of you have deep friendships, accountability structures, familiar routines, and programs that meet your needs and wants. You might be in a church that feels complete—where ministries are polished, and resources are abundant. Those are real sacrifices. But there’s something greater than all of those things.

When you go, you’re investing in kingdom work that will outlast this life. You’re helping a church where others will one day find the same relationships you’ve loved. By going, you’re saying that the greatest investment of your time, gifts, and resources is in the kingdom of God. Being part of a revitalizing church stretches your faith and grows you in ways you might never experience if you never left.

When my family and I moved from Burlington to London 6 years ago, we wrestled with these very questions. Burlington was home—it was familiar and comfortable. It’s where I grew up, where my family is, and where my wife and I started our family. Our church there walked with us through some of the most formative years of our lives. Leaving wasn’t easy. I had to ask myself, “Am I willing to go?” Was I willing to leave comfort behind to follow God’s call? Can I be honest, I really struggled with it.

Looking back, I see how God used that step of faith to grow me. At Knollwood, God has stretched me, matured me, and proven Himself faithful. He’s provided for my family—not always in the ways I expected, but always in ways that displayed His goodness. I’ve had a front-row seat to see Him work in people’s lives, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. If I hadn’t stepped out of my comfort zone, if I hadn’t been willing to go, I would have missed those blessings. 

I preached from Genesis 18 this morning, and verse 14 has been heavy on my heart this week. God asks Abraham, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” That question confronts our doubts and reminds us of God’s limitless power. If God can bring life where there was none, He can breathe new life into churches like Knollwood and Forest City. But He often uses His people to accomplish His purposes. God has used and is using Redemption in that. We need you. Not only does God remind us of His limitless power in Genesis 18, but Jesus also points to the urgency of the work in Matthew 9.

In Matthew 9:37, Jesus makes a lamentable statement: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” There’s an urgency as Jesus calls active participation in the work of God.  To be clear, the passage is talking about the work of sharing the gospel.  It’s a work of God because we don’t have the tools, resources, or the strength to do the work on our own.  So this is a work that happens through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.  God uses ordinary people like you and me to accomplish this work. Knollwood is a church in a process. Over the past six years at Knollwood, we’ve seen God work in and through us.  But, the work is great and the labours are few, so we ask, are you willing to go?

Jesus in the following verse gives some insight on what we are to do. Jesus commands his disciples to “Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38). It’s important that this isn’t just about warm bodies, this about praying that God would supply his church with faithful and diligent people for his work.  So I’m asking that you would pray that you will be willing to go. It’s a pray that Steph and I had to pray.  And at the time, it seemed like an impossible prayer, but I have seen God do great things.  I look forward to seeing more of what he does. Will you prayerfully ask: Am I willing to go? Am I will to be uncomfortable in the temporary because of eternal hope in Jesus Christ? Will you pray for Knollwood’s gospel work here in London?

I know leaving Redemption would mean giving up comforts. But it also means stepping into a story that God is writing for His glory and the good of others. It means being part of the mission to bring the message of Jesus to our city. As Pastor Norm has said, “We need hands to the plow” in this gospel ministry. Will you put your hands to the plow with us?

If you’d like to learn more about Knollwood, we run a class every other month about our church and mission. The next one is on December 3rd, and I’d love to answer any questions you have after tonight. My prayer is that you would consider this call—not as a loss of comfort but as a gain for the kingdom. Will you join God this amazing work at Forest City or Knollwood.  May God lead you as you seek to make much of Jesus.

Thank you.