Q. Inform me about your background.
A. I used to be born in 1969, and with my mother and father and brother and sister, we lived in Twaddell Avenue in Woodvale and there have been outbreaks of violence. Nevertheless, my recollections have been principally of taking part in soccer or another sport round our streets. In 2004, I married Aileen and now we have two youngsters, a woman aged 14 and a boy of 12. I attended a neighborhood main college after which RBAI earlier than happening to Queen’s College to do a geography diploma and a grasp’s in divinity.
Q. How did you come to religion?
A. My mum took us to a Belfast Metropolis Mission Corridor, so from a younger age I heard about Jesus and God’s love for me. Nevertheless I used to be all the time fairly a shy and nervous boy, so for a few years I didn’t need any of my associates or classmates to know that I even attended church. In my teenage years I believed in God, however I wouldn’t have known as myself a Christian.
Q. What was the turning level?
A. It got here out of the blue as I sat alone in my grandmother’s home enthusiastic about the ways in which I had let God down that day. I usually tried to wish however I nonetheless wasn’t fully certain if anybody was listening.
That night God arrived in a really surprising and possible way and drew again the religious curtains. One minute I used to be praying as regular then abruptly I felt enveloped in an embrace of affection and I noticed in my thoughts Jesus on the cross and I simply felt accepted and cherished.
Q. Have you ever ever had a disaster or a gnawing doubt about your religion?
A . At instances I struggled with doubt, for instance after I did not get a job following college and ended up in a short lived put up that I actually disliked. I questioned the place God was on this, and at instances, I felt I had been forgotten. I had the concept God can be continuously main me into nice pastures, but it surely took me some time to grasp that this didn’t assure that all the pieces can be snug.
Q. Have you ever ever been offended with God?
A. I've struggled at instances when my spouse confronted sickness and we had two surprising miscarriages. On different events I used to be torn as a result of God was main me in a sure route that I simply didn’t wish to go. Whereas I've felt confused and harm at instances, I've additionally skilled a lot love and care, particularly by way of darkish intervals.
Q. Do you ever get criticised in your religion?
A. There was some banter after I was youthful about my religion and now that I'm a Methodist minister this may lead to a couple individuals shortly labelling me as stuffy and non secular. Most individuals have handled me pretty effectively even when they don’t share my Christian religion.
Q. Are you ever ashamed of your individual church or denomination?
A. Via my life I've been concerned in numerous church buildings. I've all the time thought-about myself initially as a follower of Jesus. I’m saddened by the pace that we as Christians can fall out and put up partitions between ourselves and others.
Q. Are you afraid to die?
A. At an early age I used to be afraid of loss of life. After my private expertise of Jesus I've been given a hope that I gained’t face loss of life alone however with Him and this brings me nice peace. I imagine in a bodily resurrection and my favorite picture of what that could be like is from C S Lewis’ last Narnia guide The Final Battle. “I've come residence ultimately! That is my actual nation! I belong right here. That is the land I've been on the lookout for all my life, although I by no means knew it until now...Come additional up, come additional in!”
Q. What about individuals of different denominations and faiths?
A. An important factor is trusting, that’s the muse. So whereas I imagine that we should be cautious how we construct on that basis, I all the time attempt to work with all others who declare Christ as their lord. I lived for some years in India and was proven actual kindness by many individuals from different faiths.
Q. Are the church buildings right here fulfilling their mission?
A. They are often fairly inward and frightened of change. Nevertheless, there have additionally all the time been Christians who've courageously stepped out attempting to stay for Jesus by virtually displaying His like to others. One current instance of that has been what number of church buildings in Newtownards have labored collectively for these in want throughout Covid.
Q Why are so many turning their backs on organised faith?
A. It has been on account of many church buildings dropping reference to their native communities, so there was a widening hole between church tradition and other people’s strange lives. We stay in a really individualistic and materialistic time once we are being advised that happiness may be present in receiving moderately than in giving and serving.
Q. Has faith helped or hindered in Northern Eire?
A, Many individuals argue that it has inspired the tribalism that has introduced division and ache, but it surely’s not the total story. At instances faith has been utilized by some to stir concern and division, however there have additionally all the time been particular person Christians and church buildings who've labored to convey a lot good to everybody round them. Christians have usually been concerned behind the scenes in working to construct bridges and work for peace. As church buildings, we should truthfully confess our failures, but additionally work with one another and people of no religion to convey blessing to throughout.
Q. Some private preferences?
A. My favorite movie is JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings; I get pleasure from Reward & Worship music like Hillsong or Bethel, with the odd little bit of 80s rock like Dire Straits thrown in.
Q. The place do you're feeling closest to God?
A. Someplace searching on the sea, however the place doesn’t actually matter. The extra essential factor is making the time to cease and hearken to Him.
Q. The inscription in your headstone?
A. Possibly ‘Jesus stored Him’.
Q. Any main regrets?
A. Solely that I wasn’t braver for Jesus at instances in my life.