Dear London ministry friends,

When we stepped off the plane onto British soil in Oct 2018, we didn’t imagine how rooted in the UK we would grow to feel. We are thankful God has given us these past seven and a half years in London. He has grown, refined, and blessed us by the UK Church and we consider it one of our greatest privileges to have been able to minster together with all of you. So, it is with a mixture of sad and happy hearts that we share that the Lord is closing this chapter.

This October, we will be moving back to the United States. 

The age and stage of our parents as well as our first grandchild (!) due in May, has caused Rachel and I to wrestle and pray over this decision for months.
We’re thankful the Lord has united our hearts in this direction.

In time, he has clarified new assignments and opened a ministry position for Doug as Worship Ministries Pastor at a church not far from our son and family in Wisconsin. This church is one of our supporting churches, the staff are long-time friends, and they are keen to incorporate approaches to ministry we have gleaned here – including adding vibrant, heart-felt liturgy.

Rachel will continue in ministry with ReachGlobal in the USA in a new role helping to equip, train, and prepare new missionaries to enter the global field. She will also keep up with her writing.

We are deeply grateful for this chapter of life serving Christ alongside you.  We can confidently say that in all the best ways, we would not be the people we are now without having lived here in London. Not only have we gained many valuable ministry and life approaches, but you have become incredibly dear friends to us as well. To borrow Paul’s words from 1 Thess 2:8, “We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.”



During our first few months in London, we met an American ex-pat who, upon learning we had recently moved here indefinitely, said, “Welcome to the in-between.  You’ll never feel fully British, but you’ll never feel fully American again either.”  How true this is. 

To say we will miss you is a vast understatement, and we will experience many “end of Acts 20” moments – with the shedding of many tears – in the months before we board the plane in October.

We are confident of God’s hand on your ministries and will continue to pray He uses you to see the kingdom advance in London and to the ends of the earth.

Thank you for allowing us the privilege of these past 8 years of serving alongside you and seeing the Spirit at work to glorify Jesus.

Thank you for your genuine love, warm friendship and care for our family from day one. 

We will continue to be very plugged into life and ministry here until mid-September, but we also wanted to let you know well in advance.  Leaving will not be easy, yet we know God is good, and we deeply love our UK family.

Grace be yours, glory be His,
Doug & Rachel Allord