Capt George Newell is introduced in Drumbeg
Congratulations to Capt George Newell who has begun a new chapter of ministry as Minister-in-charge of Drumbeg Parish on the outskirts of Belfast.
Bishop David introduced George on Tuesday 27 January to a full church, despite the very stormy weather. The joyful service was led by the Area Dean, Canon Stanley Gamble and Revd Simon Genoe, Rector of Magheralin and Leader of New Wine Ireland gave the address.
Sally Johnston (Kilkeel) played the organ and Daniel and Sarah McDonald (Willowfeld) led contemporary worship.
George comes to Drumbeg from his role as Leadership & Mission Coordinator with New Wine Ireland and is in heart and gifting, an evangelist. He has been married to Eunice for over 40 years, and they have two children and three grandchildren.
He commented: “Eunice and I are excited to step into the next chapter that the Lord has for us in the Parish of Drumbeg. We come with a sense of expectation of seeing the Lord at work as we get to know people, hear their stories, and as we journey in faith together with a heart for making Him known to a lost and searching world around us.”
George tells his story below
I was brought up in Kilkeel and attended Christ Church where I was baptised and confirmed. Even though I had been brought up in the church and was familiar with the gospel, it was not till 1992 at a mission run by my local church that I came to a personal faith in Jesus Christ. That took me on a journey I would never have imagined, not only for me but also for my young family.
As I look back over my life, I can see that from an early age the Lord had planted in me a call to mission/evangelism. That began to become a reality when in 1997 I sensed the Lord calling me into full-time ministry and I applied and was accepted to train as a Church Army Evangelist in Sheffield.
In 2000 after training, as a family we headed to Cork where I joined Carrigrohane Union of Parishes responsible for The Church of the Resurrection, Blarney. In 2005 the Lord called us to Willowfield Parish Church, East Belfast, where I oversaw Evangelism and Outreach. In 2016 I joined New Wine Ireland as their Leadership & Mission Coordinator but remained part-time in Willowfield. Then in 2023 I moved to work full-time with New Wine Ireland.
It has been quite a journey for a Mourne man who had seen his future as a painter and decorator working in the family business. Eunice and I have so enjoyed and been blessed on this journey with the Lord and the people he has brought across our path. I have had the privilege of seeing Him at work in people’s lives and His kingdom impacting the world today. I have had the opportunity to have Godly people who are further on in their journey with the Lord teach, council, pray and encourage me and I count that such a blessing.
