Meet Revd Mark Gallagher
On 27 August 2017, Revd Mark Gallagher was ordained for the curacy of Bangor Abbey.
I grew up in St. Andrew’s Killyman, just outside Dungannon, and before training for ordained ministry, I was a research scientist. I completed my deacon internship in Ballinamallard, Co. Fermanagh and I’m excited to begin my curacy in Bangor Abbey.
I grew up in a loving Christian family. I cannot recall a time when I did not believe in God, and my faith strengthened along the way. After confirmation, I began taking my faith more seriously, and since then there was never a time in my life when I didn’t feel a call to some form of ordained ministry. For years, however, I was terrified of not being ‘good’ enough. I now know I am still not ‘good’ enough, (no one is!) but I have come to realise the transformative power of knowing God’s grace and forgiveness.
Looking back, I can see God’s hand forming me into the person I am now, and hopefully equipping me with the skills I will need for the years to come. I learned a lot from my years in chemistry, which I hope to bring with me into my ministry, not least in the need for continued beneficial dialogue between sciences, faith and arts. This interest formed the basis of my MTh dissertation while I was training in CITI.
Finally, in my free time I play piano, organ, clarinet, saxophone and I am a classically trained singer. I also have been a children’s party entertainer for about 15 years now, specialising in illusions and balloon models.