While ‘mission’ is often associated with the work of churches overseas, mission at home is also a vital part of the Church’s work. The series of 11 special events will take place in congregations from Ards to Coleraine, Dunloy to Newry, and designed to shine a spotlight on how the Church is active in mission at home. They also seek to inspire and encourage those who attend to reflect on how they can be used by God in His service. The first two events take place in First Ards Presbyterian Church and Tullylish Presbyterian.
Organised By PCI’s Council for Mission in Ireland, in collaboration with the denomination’s 19 regional presbyteries, Council Secretary, Rick Hill, encouraged those who had a heart for mission on their doorstep, or who were curious as to what it was about, to come along.
“Through this series of events we will have a whole host of home mission ministers, church planters, chaplains, deaconesses and mission workers to share about their ongoing work through a mix of video, interview and preaching. Each evening will be a specific opportunity to tell the story of what God is doing through the Church and to share the message of Jesus today,” he said.
“We have called the series ‘Weak made strong’, which is drawn from the Apostle Paul’s words found in 2 Corinthians 12, and are about God’s power being made perfect in weakness. This focus aims to offer us a reminder that even though we may feel weak as individuals, or no longer assume a position of strength as the Church, weakness is no barrier for gospel growth. As we face fresh challenges of sharing the message of Jesus in contemporary 21st Century Ireland, we want to ensure that our response isn’t one of withdrawal or defeat, but faith-filled and forward looking.”
Mr Hill said that the Bible was full of examples of people who were in and of themselves not powerful, strong, or even impressive. From Moses to Mary they were, however, obedient before God as he fulfilled his purposes in advancing His kingdom.
“You will be made very welcome and at each one, every speaker, each story, and example offered, will underline this as we seek to play our part in God’s mission in Ireland today,” Mr Hill said.
2024 Mission in Ireland Evenings
3 March
- First Ards Presbyterian Church, 7pm
- Tullylish Presbyterian Church, 7pm
5 March
- Downshire Road Presbyterian Church, Newry, 8pm
10 March
- Ballynure Presbyterian Church, 7pm
- Railway Street Presbyterian Church, Lisburn, 6.30pm
13 March
- Trinity Ahoghill Presbyterian Church, 8pm
17 March
- Terrace Row Presbyterian Church, Coleraine, 7pm
- Aughentaine Presbyterian Church, 7pm
- Dunloy Presbyterian Church, 7pm
- Muckamore Presbyterian Church, 7pm
20 March
- Richhill Presbyterian Church, 8pm
Mr Hill, who will be part of the team speaking in Richhill and Trinity Ahoghil, concluded by saying “Our Mission in Ireland Evenings enable Presbyterians, and others, to get a snapshot of the role played by PCI centrally in home grown mission and the green shoots that we see in local communities the length and breadth of Ireland.
“There will be time to pray for what God is doing and for those serving quietly behind the scenes, reaching people of all faiths and none, and meeting their needs in the name of Jesus. These evenings are a great opportunity to discover more about that work and how God’s kingdom is growing, he said.