Glengormley 23-25 February 2018
The leaders of Glengormley Methodist Church invited a Lay Witness team to conduct a weekend mission in February 2018.
Laura Griffith and Bruce Mullen led the team.
Laura Griffith and Bruce Mullen led the team.
Weekend Reports and Photos
Pamela Gibson, Jude Barry, Julian Bardon, Joanne Young, Bruce Mullen, Laura Griffith, Louise Metcalfe, Ruth Clarke, Alan Morris, David Percy, Sarah O'Connor and Donal O'Connor (Dianne Morris)
David Percy, Dundrum Methodist Church (Team member)
On Friday 23rd February a team of 13 from 7 different Methodist churches (Whiteabbey, Sydenham, Glenburn, Antrim, Ballymena, Craigyhill & Dundrum (Dublin) arrived at Glengormley Methodist Church for the start of what was to become a special weekend of witness and praise for both the congregation and the team taking part. The weekend was co-lead by Laura Griffith (Whiteabbey) and Bruce Mullen (Dundrum). It was clear from the start that the congregation had put a huge amount of thought into planning the weekend with each team member being assigned a prayer partner. The church had been praying for the team for months in advance. Publicity was printed and made into folders for all the events taking place, preparing the way for what God had in store for all. Every member of the team got an opportunity at different times during the weekend to share their testimony and what God was doing in their lives. We started off the weekend with a meal on Friday night followed by a time of worship where 3 team members shared their story. The first Testimony talked about living in the land of Dis.. (Disappointment) and moving from disappointment to the land of believing in a loved one. If you want to influence them you need to believe in them. Another spoke on broken relationships, the suffering and yet the love and prayers that surrounded them. Next morning there was a men’s breakfast attended by over 50 men who heard the stories by two men from the team. Financial loss with inheritance and the challenges of dealing with the loss of a loved one. They also talked about growing up in the ritual of church, going through the motions and yet not the heart. Eventually finding the heart for Jesus Christ. This was followed by coffee mornings in six houses attended by the congregation, neighbours and friends. We were were treated to a selection of homemade goodies tea and coffee. Numbers varied from 11 to 35 in each of the 6 homes. This was followed by discussion a meditation challenging us all to lay down our burdens and to hand them over to God. For some of the team and church community, this was a very intimate time for vulnerability and a deepening of relationships. Later in the afternoon there was a Kids Praise Party where the children were able to have fun and be creative. At the same time the parents and other adults listened to the testimony of one of the team about her journey in navigating her teenage son through some really difficult times to successfully reaching adulthood and securing employment. There was a another meal for the congregational meal on Saturday evening followed with a service and testimonies. We heard the stories of how God had been working in the lives of those who spoke and gave witness of his faithfulness in times of trouble. The Sunday morning service was well attended and again there were touching life stories shared by team members. Lunch for all followed with the congregation. The team departed mid-afternoon to return to their homes and families after an action packed weekend. It was universally felt that each one had received more than they had given. We were truly blessed by the congregation and were made feel so welcome and at home. The final meeting of the weekend was on Sunday evening when the church members came together to share their stories and tell how God had touched their lives through the testimony of ordinary people who had encountered an extraordinary God. I was touched by my time with the church community of Glengormley who had stepped out in faith by inviting a group of strangers from diverse backgrounds to come and share their stories. In the process they were blessed and in return they too blessed the team of ordinary people who serve an extraordinary God. |
Jennifer Hutchinson, Glengormley Methodist Church This was a very special weekend, when ordinary people came to Glengormley Methodist Church to tell their personal stories of an extraordinary God. As a church we were praying for a fresh touch of God's love in our lives, and this prayer was answered in amazing ways throughout the weekend. We were privileged to welcome a wonderful team, led by Laura and Bruce, who arrived as strangers to some but departed as friends of all. Many new friendships have begun, born perhaps from the bonds that develop through shared experiences. This is the heart of Lay Witness- personal testimony. As each witness shared their life experiences ,and described how God had constantly sustained them, it became even more evident that our signature verse, "Cast all your cards on Him, for He cares for you" (1 Peter 5 v7) was entirely appropriate. We are extremely grateful to each team member for sharing with us, not only in the evening meetings and Sunday morning service, but also in the coffee mornings, men's breakfast and youth and children's activities. So many have been encouraged to lay down their burdens and to love and serve our faithful God wholeheartedly. We have a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of God's calling on our lives, both individually and collectively. As a church family, we can now move forward knowing that God has great plans to work in and through us. We have been blessed by the team who gave so much more than they realise, and we pray for continued blessings in their lives. |