New Diocesan Evangelists ready for work after commissioning service
Down and Dromore’s five new Diocesen Evangelists have been commissioned.
A special service marking their commissioning was held at The Church of the Pentecost, Mount Merrion on Friday night (June 16).
The five newly commisioned Diocesen Evangelists are Wesley Johnstone (St. John’s, Orangefield), Leslie McKeag (Willowfield Parish Church), Rachel Irish and James Hardy (both Mount Merrion) and Robert Graham (St. Gobhan, Seagoe).
Bishop Harold Miller commissioned the five.
Wesley has been commissioned as a Parish Evangelist (Orangefield) and Leslie as a Lay–Evangelist (Willowfield), while Rachel is Mount Merrion’s new Community Outreach Worker.
James’ and Robert’s commissions are as Diocesan–wide Evangelists.
Prior to the five’s Commissioning, Captain George Newell of the Church Army and New Wine Ireland’s Leadership and Development Co–ordinator, interviewed Rachel and Wesley as to their faith and what the two–year course had meant to them.
Rachel revealed that it was only when, in desperation, she surrendered to God that her life began to have real meaning, purpose and a hitherto–absent sense of peace and contentment.
Wesley admitted that when he first began the course he was far from convinced that he was in the right place or situation.
At that, George, who tutored and mentored him, left no–one present in any doubt that Wesley had been in exactly the right place. He told the congregation that if ever they sought an informed voice in the field of apologetics, “Wesley is your man.”
Under George’s tutelage, Leslie, James, Rachel, Robert and Wesley, successfully negotiated and completed the two–year distance learning course which is accredited by St John’s College, Nottingham and run in collaboration with New Wine Ireland
The opening and closing prayers were by the host church’s rector, the Revd. Adrian Green.
Praise was led by Mount Merrion’s four–piece worship group.
Six more Diocesan Evangelists, who are in training, will be commissioned next year upon completion of the course.
And a further group will set out on the two–year course in January 2018, thereby maintaining the year–on–year arrival of newly qualified Diocesan Evangelists. Applications for that course close at the end of October.
(See Photo Gallery – Commissioning of Evangelists 2017)