Free Church News

THE RECORD

MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF THE FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND NOVEMBER 2018 • £2.00

FREE CHURCH NEWS

BIG FREE RALLY

On saturday, 29th september, three hundred young people got up before dawn to travel the length and breadth

of scotland to get to smithton church, inverness, for this year’s big free rally. We are all so glad they did!

What a phenomenal day! Everyone there will tell you that it was an amazing day with the most wonderful Spirit-filled atmosphere – and it was a privilege and a blessing to have been involved. There were games, quizzes, team challenges and dancing – all great fun!

Peter Turnbull, of Burghead Free Church, delivered two perfectly pitched talks on ‘Being a part of God’s family’, and you could have heard a pin drop as everyone, from age ten upwards, listened carefully. Peter offered loving, practical and timeless advice on how to keep being a Christian – for kids and adults alike! (PDFs of talks available upon request.)

The praise was amazing! There was a great selection of songs sung beautifully by hundreds of young voices (see Camps FCYC Facebook page for some examples). There was such a sense of unity as everyone met together and caught up with each other’s news since camp. Even those who haven’t yet been to camp are looking for dates and details about how to get involved next year – how exciting is that!

All being well, the FCYC Brochure will be out before Christmas. It’s amazing to think that through this gathering of young people, God is planting seeds in their hearts and opening their minds ready to listen to the Gospel.

Praise the Lord for continuing with us in the Camps ministry and in events such as the Big Free Rally, which will last long in the memories of the young people impacted by them.

• [Laura MacAulay (Camps Administrator]

INDUCTION OF REV. CHRIS DAVIDSON AT FREE NORTH

On a wet and windy Wednesday, the 26th of September, in Inverness, Rev. Chris Davidson was inducted in the Free North.

Chris has been appointed with special duties to plant a church in the Merkinch area of Inverness. The Free North have sought a partnership with 20schemes, a church planting organisation in Scotland, through which Chris and his wife Katherine will gain valuable training.

During the induction, Rev. Dr Malcolm Maclean from Greyfriars Free Church of Scotland led the service and preached from Judges 3:31, bringing to light the story of Shamgar, an ill-equipped outsider who saved Israel. Although little is written about Shamgar, he had a profound impact on the land.

The address was profound and helpful for a young man who is trying to plant in a hard place in Scotland. Mr Davidson said, ‘We are excited by the vision of the Free North eldership and the previous minister, Rev. Colin Macleod, to plant a church in Merkinch. In a time where church closures seem to be the norm, it is great to see a body of believers excited about planting in a scheme of Scotland.’ Overall it was a lovely evening with the family of the Free North. Pray for the church planting efforts in Merkinch. •

Rev. Chris Davidson and wife Katherine

THE RECORD

NOVEMBER

THE NEW MODERATOR

The commission of assembly of the Free Church of Scotland met on Wednesday, 3 rd October. They were pleased to announce that Rev. Donnie G. MacDonald, minister of Portree Free Church in Skye, had accepted the nomination of Moderator Designate of the 2019 General Assembly.

He succeeds Rev. Angus MacRae, of Dingwall and Strathpeffer Free Church in Ross-shire, who was appointed Moderator in May 2018.

Callum Macdonald, Ferintosh and Resolis Free Church elder, said, ‘Donnie exhibits all the fruits of the Spirit as a pastor, preacher and carer for his people. To be in Donnie G’s presence is to just sense his love for all people, feel his joy, peace and to be aware of his overwhelming patience. The manse overflows with kindness and goodness — and have you tasted the scones?! ‘He is dedicated to the flock and serves them faithfully with gentleness and self-control. Donnie is a passionate preacher, bringing the gospel to all and especially to the young. There is always a special message for the children. He is loved by his congregations, past and present. ‘We pray that Donnie, Debbie and family are protected during the coming year and that he has opportunities to serve the Lord nationally and internationally as Moderator.’

Born in Fort William, Mr MacDonald attended Borrowdale Primary School and Portree High School, eventually moving to Glasgow to study Chemistry and Molecular Biology. It was here where he shared a flat with future Free Church Moderator Rev. Derek Lamont and Generation Training Director Rev. Neil MacMillan. Eventually responding to God’s leading, he attended the Free Church College, now Edinburgh Theological Seminary. Whilst there he was hugely influenced by Prof. Douglas and Mary MacMillan. It was during his time in Edinburgh that he met and married his wife Debbie. They now have five children: Stuart, Catriona, Fiona, Mairi and Findlay.

Responding to his acceptance, Mr MacDonald said, ‘It is very humbling to be asked to be Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland General Assembly for 2019. It is an honour to serve Jesus in any capacity and I will do my best to fulfil this responsibility simply but diligently.’

Mr MacDonald was ordained and inducted into Ferintosh and Resolis Free Church on 2nd Oct 1992 aged 24. He spent eleven years there before moving to Portree Free Church in 2003. In all, Mr MacDonald has served faithfully for the past 26 years.

‘I am very aware that to do so I will be dependent on the prayers and support of many people. It continues to be a challenging, yet exciting, time for the Free Church of Scotland. We are an ever-evolving denomination with a never-changing Gospel. The many Free Church congregations scattered throughout the country are working hard to bring that Gospel message to both the urban and rural settings of Scotland, revitalising the old and planting the new. We also remain committed to looking beyond our own borders to explore innovative ways of supporting mission work. ‘The need at home and abroad is great, and we have a lot of work to do, but I believe we have the heart to do it. I look forward to playing a part in facilitating the development of the vision and mission of the denomination in the coming year.’ •

Rev. Donnie G. MacDonald Moderator Designate

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