Carryduff Presbyterian Church

I grew up in Bellarena in Co. Londonderry and came to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as a boy of 13. God used the witness of a Sunday School teacher in Magilligan Presbyterian Church to show me my need of the Saviour. From that point onwards I felt an increasing sense of call into the Christian ministry. I sat my ‘O’ levels (as they were then) and my ‘A’ levels all with a view to going into the ministry. I read history at Trinity College Dublin, and then did 2 years of preparation for the ministry at New College, Edinburgh, followed by my final year at Union Theological College, Belfast. I have been minister of Carryduff Presbyterian Church since June 1996. I seek to exercise a systematic expository pulpit ministry – which means I am often doing some kind of a series – either preaching through a book in the Bible, or on a character, or on a theme, or such like. I believe God primarily uses the preaching of His Word to awaken saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and also to build up believers in their faith. Please pray that Christians would grow in their knowledge of God and in their love for one another within our congregation. Pray that Christians would be spurred on to use their God-given talents in the Lord’s service. Let me conclude with the words of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians Chapter 3, verses 20+21, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

I grew up in the beautiful town of Newtownards. My faith journey began at age 15 through my experience of youth work in Scrabo Hall. I was challenged and inspired by my youth leaders that simply loved me and poured into my life. In true teenage fashion, I thought I knew best, I turned my back and replaced God with my own agenda for some time. In 2012, I was reminded of the truth of the gospel, that Jesus died for me so the least that I could do was to live for him. My personal experience of youth work and faith inspired me to pursue a career in youth work. I believe that Jesus was the first youth worker – He chose 12 young lads and apprenticed them to change the world. In 2015 I graduated from UUJ with a degree in Community Youth Work before taking up a full time youth work position in Scrabo Hall Church. Since then I have gone on to study Pastoral Care and presently am completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Theology. Youth Work is more than a job – it’s about reaching young people where that are at and loving them for who they are. I pray that young people would step up and step out into all that God has for them. I am confident that our youth have a significant role to play in this ever changing, fast paced world. Three things that I am passionate about in my ministry are; presenting the gospel in an understandable and useful way, journeying with young people and interacting with the local community. I cling to the words of the apostle Paul “He who began a good work will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” Philippians 1:6.