Church Planting in the Diocese
At Diocesan Synod in June 2013, Bishop Harold Miller shared God’s missional call on the diocese to embark on a new era of church planting. New churches were to be planted in forgotten or hard–to–reach communities. The call endures, and in his address to Diocesan Synod in 2021, Bishop David announced his vision that at least one new worshipping congregation would be planted in the diocese each year over the next 10 years.
Since the launch of the Church Planting Fund eight churches and four outreaches have so far been planted: Moneyreagh Community Church, Braniel Community Church, Glen Community Church, Killicomaine Community Church, The Gathering, Belfast, St Donard’s Community Church, Dundrum, West Winds Community Church, Tullycarnet Church, a youth and children’s ministry in Killough, Ards Connect , Castlewellan and The Suitcase Project.
Our church planting is intentional, and we are planning for the long term as we commit ourselves, not to projects but to people.
Church Plant Partners
We are looking for followers of Jesus to partner with us in supporting church planting in the Diocese of Down and Dromore by:
PRAYING for our church plants as they reach out to those who don’t know Christ. Our Church Planting News contains updates and points for prayer and is issued in the Spring, Autumn and Winter.
VISITING our church plants to encourage the leaders and members of these new Christian communities. (See details below)
GIVING to our Church Planting Fund through one–off donations or by standing order to provide regular support.
CLICK HERE to download a standing order form and gift aid declaration
CLICK HERE TO DONATE via CAF to the diocese’s General Church Planting Fund
CLICK HERE TO DONATE via CAF to individual Church Plants
STAY INFORMED: Please email k.gardiner@downdromorediocese.org to become a Church Plant Partner and receive the Church Plant News three times a year.
DOWNLOAD THE WINTER '25 EDITION OF CHURCH PLANTING NEWS HERE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD THE AUTUMN ‘24 EDITION OF CHURCH PLANTING NEWS HERE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD THE SPRING ‘24 EDITION OF CHURCH PLANTING NEWS HERE (PDF)
Contact
Fundraising Officer for Church Growth, Keith Gardiner: kgardiner@downdromorediocese.org
Diocesan Development Officer, Andrew Brannigan: andrew@downanddromore.org
Church Plant Meeting Places and Leaders
Ards Connect, St Andrew’s Church,189 Main Rd, Portavogie, Newtownards BT22 1DE.
Contact Mr Raymond McClure: ardsconnect@gmail.com
Braniel Community Church, St Brigid’s Hall, Lower Braniel Road, Belfast, BT5 7JQ.
Contact Revd James Crockett: james.branielcc@gmail.com
Glen Community Church, Glen Community Centre, 33 Glenard Road, Newtownards BT23 4HS.
Contact Mr Paul Hawkins: phawkins1980@yahoo.co.uk
Killicomaine Community Church, Killicomaine Community Centre, 32 Festival Road, Portadown, Craigavon, BT63 5HE.
Contact Revd Jim Fleming: jim@seagoe.co.uk
Killough Kids & Youth, St Anne’s Hall, Palatine Row, Killough, Downpatrick.
Contact Mr Billy Fyffe: billy@lampyc.co.uk
Moneyreagh Community Church, Moneyreagh Community Centre, 36A Church Road, Castlereagh, Moneyreagh, Belfast BT23 6BB.
Contact Revd Rory Blake–Knox: rory@moneyreaghchurch.com
Newry Centre of Mission, The Rectory, 16, The Oaks, Newry, BT34 1FA. Contact Lead Evangelist, Canon Scott McDonald: scott.mcdonald@churcharmy.org or Pioneer Evangelist, Natalie Trainor: natalie.trainor@churcharmy.org
St Donard’s Community Church, Dundrum, St Donard’s Church, 183 Main Street, Dundrum, BT33 0LY.
Contact Mr Colin Morris: stdonardsdundrum@gmail.com
The Gathering, Belfast, St Martin’s Church, 88 Newtownards Road, Belfast BT4 1GW.
Contact Revd Ross Munro: ross@thegatheringbelfast.com
The Suitcase Project
Contact Mr Tim Burns: tim@thesuitcaseproject.org.uk
Tullycarnet Church, Tullycarnet Bowling Club, 26 Kingswood Road, Belfast, BT5 7EZ.
Contact Mr Matthew Gault: tullycarnetchurch@icloud.com
West Winds Community Church, West Winds Community Centre, Dakota Ave, Newtownards BT23 4QT.
Contact Revd Stephen Doherty: stephen.stmarks@btinternet.com