Evangelism Teams: Newcastle and Brannockstown

Monday, 1st November 2021
Image: evangelism-teams-newcastle-and-brannockstown

Newcastle – Gus McIlmoyle

In late October a team of intrepid students set off for sunny Newcastle to support the local Baptist church in a week of evangelism. Led by Mark Rooney, we consisted of students from the Preparation for Ministry course, along with our surrogate 7th member and press secretary—Emma (Mark's wife!). Having been briefed by Pastor Mark Patterson and elder Bertie Coffey, the plan for the week was a mixture of services, events and door-to-door work, along with some discipleship sessions.

On Sunday morning we had the pleasure of seeing Mark and Emma being inducted as members into the church, followed swiftly by Mark preaching—straight into duties! In the evening Jonny and Andrew addressed a few tricky faith questions: ‘How can a God of love send people to hell?’ and ‘Can you lose a genuine saving faith?’ This was followed by a message from Reuben on ‘Jesus being the Bread of Life’.

Monday saw 40 ladies attend a ‘Taste and See’ evening with no less than 10 courses (!) and Gus sharing a short message. Tuesday was the men’s turn with curry night: ‘Are you Starvin’—physically/spiritually?’ with Neil speaking (food seemed to be a consistent theme through the week). On Wednesday, people were invited to bring ‘something old’. An array of heirlooms, souvenirs and treasure finds stimulated conversation and acted as a segue for some testimony and Mark to speak.

The events were a good opportunity for people getting back together after a long time of groups being off due to COVID. It was clear to see the delight on people’s faces of being able to interact face-to-face.

A key takeaway from the week was seeing partnership in the gospel in action: within our own team; observing the church working together with other believers around Newcastle; or, learning about the work of initiatives including Street Chaplins; Murlough House retreat centre; and, further afield, insights on an East London Baptist church and the practical need to tailor a ministry to what is in front of you.

We cannot speak highly enough of the welcome we received, the openness of conversation and the blessing of fellowshipping together. Our thanks go to the Newcastle church, Pastor Mark and the leadership for so graciously letting us share in the ongoing work. Our prayers go to the church as they continue the week-in, week-out work of spreading the good news message and building believers up in Newcastle. 

                                                                                                                                           

Brannockstown – Richard Donnan

We live in a ‘so-called’ connected world. Be it email, internet, social media connections, or road, rail and air connections, connectivity is central to so much of what we do. But the essential connection people need is with God, through what Jesus has accomplished in his death and resurrection.

Making ‘gospel connections’ was the theme for the Irish Baptist College Evangelism Team working with Brannockstown Baptist Church from 17–22 October 2021. Working closely with Pastor Richard Blayney we sought to build ‘gospel connections’ within the Church, its immediate community and the wider surrounding area.

The main objective for the team was working with the Church in their planned events. Gospel connections were made through sharing in the Sunday Service and the subsequent fellowship time, a Men’s Outreach, ‘Big Questions’ with the youth and participation in the Youth Club.

The immediate community was our next focus. Brannockstown is a small townland with a population of around 215 people. Each household in Brannockstown received a copy of the ‘3 Steps to Heaven’ booklet, along with an invitation to a Christianity Explored Course running from 24 October in Brannockstown Baptist Church Hall. The local primary school visited the church building to explore the beliefs of Baptists. This interactive event allowed the children to learn about the shared history of the church and the school and to experience first-hand how the church functions and how it differs from other belief systems. A range of gospel literature was made available to the children via the teaching staff.

We moved further afield to surrounding villages and towns including Ballymore, Dunlavin, Calvertstown, Kilcullen and Blessington. The team carried out a leaflet drop across all these areas, with homes receiving an invite to the Christianity Explored Course and either the ‘3 Steps to Heaven’ booklet or a gospel tract.

Approximately 4,000 homes were reached with ‘gospel connections’ made raising awareness of the Church, and a number of positive discussions took place with people on their doorsteps and gardens. We held a Bible Exhibition in Kilcullen Heritage Centre on 22 October, with several people attending. Again, gospel connections were made with good discussions and free literature taken. The Bible Exhibition featured prominently in the Kilcullen Diary.

It was a privilege for us to work along with Pastor Richard Blayney and be of service to Brannockstown Baptist Church. We were truly blessed by the warm fellowship of the Church.

Pastor Richard Blayney reminded us at the outset of the need to faithfully proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord to people whose minds have been blinded by Satan. We are weak, but God is strong. Over the week we knew God’s blessing and help, giving unity in purpose leading to Gospel Connections within the Church, in Brannockstown and surrounding areas. Seeds have been sown and God will give the increase. It is already encouraging to see some folks responding to the outreach through attending the church and registering their interest in the Christianity explored course.

    Blog Archive

Let’s Read: Spurgeon the Pastor: Recovering a Biblical and Theological Vision for Ministry Let's Talk: Surviving Ministry Staff & Students Favourite Books of 2022 Let's Read: Spurgeon the Pastor: The Church Gathered BYE Teams Hugh D. Brown Lectures How I spent my sabbatical Let’s Read Spurgeon the Pastor: The Church Identified 1st Year Reflections from Andrew and Debbie Second Year Placement (Josh and Glenn) Final Year Reflection: Chris Banks Let’s Read Spurgeon the Pastor: The Church Functioning New Library Books (April 2023) Easter Reflection 2023 Irish Baptist Historical Society Lecture Report on the Life of Hugh Orr Let's Read: Spurgeon the Pastor: The Church Multiplying Friends of the College May 2023 Let's Read: Reflections on Spurgeon the Pastor by Geoff Chang Student Reflections on Graduation 2023 Where will our students will be serving this summer? Pray Without Ceasing: A Week of Summer Prayer 2023 Reflections on returning to Peru Recognition Service Report 2023 Commencement Service Report 2023 Cross Cultural Report in Ireland Cross Cultural Reports 2023 2 Short Book Reviews Let's Read: Keeping Your Children's Ministry On Mission: Practical Strategies For Discipling The Next Generation by Jared Kennedy Let's Read: When Children Become Brothers And Sisters What's in a name? Evangelism Teams 2023: Coleraine and Keady Evangelism Teams 2023: Castlederg and Tobermore Let's Read: Welcoming and Safeguarding Book Review: Weakness Our Strength A Strange Man from Another World
Let’s Read: The Path to Being a Pastor: A Guide for the Aspiring Graduate Updates Tribute How to Avoid Becoming a Graceless Theological Thug Let's Read: The Path to Being a Pastor Hugh D. Brown Lectures—Understanding and Applying Zephaniah Book Review: Children of Abraham: A Reformed Baptist View of the Covenants by David Kingdon Graduate Updates: Laetitia Let's Read: The Path to Being a Pastor (chapters 5-12) New Books in the Library Friends of the College—March 2022 Graduate Updates: Andrew Let's Read: The Path To Being A Pastor (chapters 13-23) Deacons The Risen Christ Changes Everything Why Four Gospels? Let's Read: The Path to Being a Pastor (Chapters 24–27) The College Graduation MA Missions Module Reflection Student Reflections (first and second year) Book Review: The Crucible of Leadership Let’s Read: Why Should We Love the Local Church? (Introduction) Let’s Read: Why Should We Love the Local Church? (Introduction) Friends of the College: September 2022 Let’s Read: Why Should We Love the Local Church—You’re Beautiful Commencement Report Cross Cultural Placements 1 Cross Cultural Placements 2 Cross Cultural Placements 3 Let’s Read: Why Should We Love the Local Church—Beauty Demonstrated 1st Year Reflection (Ana Rut) Evangelism Teams 2022 (Armagh and Cavan) Evangelism Team 2022 (Ballycrochan & Comber) Let's Read: Living Beautifully Let's Read: Why Should We Love The Local Church “Always winter and never Christmas” Three Kings
Let’s Read Irish Baptist College Conference (Online) From Intern to Undergraduate (Emily Middleton) Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The Reason for Redemption Baptists and Revival in the Long 18th Century Second Year Placements From Intern to Undergraduate (Josh Brown) Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The What and Why of Holiness Final Year During A Pandemic 2nd Year Placement Experience Friends of the College 2021 Update The Art of Reading More Books Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The Real Possibility of Holiness A Basic Easter Fact The Servant King Podcast Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — You Are Holy Third Year Reflection Gospel Guardians: Protecting the Purity of the Gospel for Future Generations Graduation 2021 Book Review: Succeeding at Seminary Let's Read: The Hole in Our Holiness — A Work in Progress Why the Irish Baptist College is Vital to the Health of the Association A Good News Story: The Ministry Partnership Scheme Why Study the Biblical Languages? Profit in Toil: A Short Message on A Level Results Day Let's Read: Small Preaching Recognition Service Report 2021 Sin Forgiven: Nourishment for Life and Joy for Living Let’s Read: Small Preaching—The Character of the Preacher Commencement Service Report Placement God Rejoices over His People: A Meditation on Zephaniah 3:17 Let’s Read: Small Preaching—Constructing the Sermon Evangelism Teams: Newcastle and Brannockstown Evangelism Teams: Stonepark and North Belfast Christian Fellowship First Year Reflections (Reuben and Andrew) Some New Books Let’s Read: Small Preaching—The Craft of Preaching Let's Read: Small Preaching—What is God Saying? A Christmas Reflection on John 1 - ‘The coming of the light’ Christmas Reflection on John 1 - ‘Life, Light & Glory’
Time to read Genesis...again Friends of the College - January 2020 Friends of the College - January 2020 Finances Tribute to Marion Craig The Resilient Pastor: Surviving & Thriving in Ministry Just a Blow-in? What is new on the shelves at IBC? Friends of the College - February 2020 Four Reasons to Study Theology Academically From Spain to Moira Testimonial Financial Update Friends of the College – March 2020 Irish Baptist Historical Society: The Mayflower Thomas Patient: the Father of the Irish Baptist Church Testimonials The Pastors’ Conference: An Encouraging Privilege Testimonials (part-time studies) In the worst of times: COVID-19 and the Book of Ruth Friends of the College - April 2020 The Long Wait: Victory Delayed Testimonials - Preparation for Ministry and Evening Classes The Leadership Podcast Testimonials - Ladies Study Fellowship The Leadership Podcast (part 2) Friends of the College - May 2020 Reflections from the Student Chairman Why do we teach the Old Testament? Reflections on first year at IBC Friends of the College - June 2020 Why do we teach Romans? IBC Placement Is Church History a Thing of the Past? Friends of the College - July 2020 Friends of the College – August 2020 Friends of the College September 2020 Recognition and Graduation Service Introducing the Irish Baptist College’s New Logo Commencement Service Friends of the College - October 2020 Filled with the Spirit: Soundings in Luke’s Theology of the Holy Spirit The Famous Five: The Abiding Relevance of the Solas of the Reformation Friends of the College - November 2020 The Importance of Theological Training in Fulfilling the Great Commission First Year Reflections — Tim Houston Singing: The Place of Theology in Corporate Worship New Library Books Friends of the College – Unite to Pray – December Christmas Reflections
Agree and Close notice.

By continuing on our website you agree with our Privacy Policy and to the use of cookies by third party plugins. Find out more here