The minister of Christchurch Presbyterian Church in Dundonald has resigned from congregational duties to take up a post with the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) in Malawi.
Rev Robin Quinn who has been minister of Christchurch for 12 years is to join the staff of Livingstonia Theological College based at Ekwendeni about 300 miles north from Lilongwe, the capital of the central African state.
The college is a new initiative of the Livingstonia Synod of the CCAP brought about by the ever increasing need for ministers for the growing number of Christian churches in the country and Mr Quinn will be involved with the 'Intensive Theological Training Programme' educating student ministers in basic theology.
However, Mr Quinn and his wife are no strangers to central Africa. After teaching in Uganda they spent ten years from 1982 living in Malawi with their four children working at Zomba Theological College before returning to minister in Dundonald.
"Helen and I have always had a great heart for helping to build the church in Malawi. The country has remained part of our lives and we still have many friends there," says Mr Quinn. "Now that our children have grown up we were open to God's calling and both Helen and I have no doubt that He wants us to return to Malawi and this new challenge."
And for the people of Christchurch, the connection with the overseas work of the Presbyterian Church is nothing new either. A 'new' congregation, established in the late sixties, three of its four ministers have served overseas. Former Moderator Dr John Ross previously was a missionary in Malawi. He was succeeded by Rev Jim Waring on his return from Jamaica before Mr Quinn became minister of Christchurch.
The Presbyterian Church presently has over 20 personnel in Malawi working in partnership with the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian in areas including education, both theological and general, healthcare, agriculture and development.
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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