Evangelicals gather for ‘First Things’ conference
A group of over 350 from across the Church of Ireland attended the First Things gathering of evangelicals in Moira last Saturday. The event, which had to be closed for bookings the week before, attracted laity and clergy of all ages who came together for teaching, worship, fellowship and prayer. The theme for the day was ‘Heritage and Hope’ with a focus on the great inheritance of evangelism we have received, the role of evangelicals in bringing the Gospel to others and renewed visions for the future.
The first of the keynote speakers, Archbishop Justin Badi from South Sudan, opened the day with a bible study from 2nd Timothy 1 and challenged everyone to become the St Brigids and St Patricks of our day. Reflecting on the inherited faith of Timothy he challenged the church in a land of ‘saints and scholars’ to live the truth and live in step with the Spirit of God. The bible study finished with an invitation to recommit to decide to follow Jesus and the whole room stood as one to do this.
Our second speaker, Canon John McGinley from the Myriad church planting initiative in the Church of England, called on those present to be the church that is a Gospel proclaiming community; to connect to the church at every level from local to global and to stand firm in the Word of God and the hope we have in Christ. John challenged the packed–out hall to be a people of repentance, empowered by God to serve together as one body as we proclaim Christ faithfully.
In the afternoon Archbishop Justin shared the moving story of how a single missionary from near Omagh, the Revd William Haddow, brought the gospel to South Sudan in the 1920s and how, from this three dioceses have been formed. He shared how, in an ever–changing world, the task of spreading the good news is not without obstacle but that we must continue to preach from the bible and move in the power of the Holy Spirit, even if that means persecution: “Stand for the Gospel. If it means pain, carry the pain; if it means shame, carry the shame; always carry the Gospel!”
The day also included worship, panel discussion, prayers and readings from local bishops and concluded with a powerful time of prayer in small groups around the hall. For more information and pictures from the day please visit www.firstthings.church.