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EDITORIAL

Ebenezer ne of the many Christmas Eve traditions in our home is the annual viewing of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Much agonising goes into choosing which of the film versions we will watch but the consensus is that Muppet’s Christmas Carol is up there with the best.

While I love watching the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge, I’ve been pondering on another Ebenezer as I write this editorial for our 10th anniversary issue of VOX magazine. After the Israelites turned from their sins and the prophet Samuel cried out to God on their behalf, the LORD intervened and defeated the Philistines (1 Samuel 7). In response, Samuel set up a commemorative stone and called it ‘Ebenezer’ (meaning stone of help) because he said, “Thus far, the LORD has helped us!”

Just over 10 years ago, our tiny VOX team set out with a vision to inform, equip and inspire Christians in Ireland to engage with one another and with the wider society. We wanted to be an encouragement but also to stretch and challenge our thinking as Christians by considering tough topics from different perspectives.

It has been an amazing adventure so far, and a huge privilege. And as we look back over the last 10 years we can say with confidence, “Thus far, the LORD has helped us!”

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Soli Deo Gloria – to God alone be the Glory.

I’m so grateful to the hundreds of people who have contributed to VOX magazine in so many ways and I’d like to say a heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to each one of you, especially to our current columnists, reviewers, contributors, proof-reader, photographers and illustrators.

Most importantly, I’d like to thank my colleague, friend and co-worker Jonny Lindsay, without whose tireless hard work and graphic design genius, VOX magazine would not be possible – it is an honour to work with someone who serves so faithfully, often behind the scenes, with such excellence and grace.

In this issue, we are taking the opportunity to look back with gratitude, to look around us at what is happening in our churches and in our nation, and to ask the LORD, “What are you saying to us?”

We want to take this ‘Ebenezer’ moment, but we know that we are not finished yet. Many of us gathered at the end of November to dream dreams and consider ways to expand and develop the ministry of VOX magazine. Our desire is to continue to serve the body of Christ on this island, in all its beauty and diversity. We have some exciting plans and ideas, and we hope you’ll share the journey with us!

SUPPORT VOX AND GET YOUR COPY DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR LETTERBOX. VOX is a ministry run by a passionate team of volunteers and relys on donations to cover 50% of our costs. Donate as little as €10 and get VOX delivered to your home for a year for free!

P.S. We hope you enjoy our design refresh!

www.vox.ie Ruth Garvey-Williams Editor (editor@vox.ie)

JAN - MAR 2019 VOX.IE

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CONTENTS Cover Story

January - March 2019 Issue 41 ISSN: 2009-2253

EDITOR Ruth Garvey-Williams editor@vox.ie

Ten Years With VOX Magazine

Features and Interviews

State Of The Nation - Senior church leaders reflect on the last 10 years Growing and Vibrant - EAI explores Christianity beyond the four ‘main’ denominations Life Beyond Addiction - Tiglin celebrates ten years

LAYOUT, ADVERTISING & DISTRIBUTION Jonny Lindsay jonny@vox.ie SUBSCRIPTIONS Ireland & UK: Min. €10 for four issues Overseas: Min. €20 for four issues

A Week In The Life Of Dublin Christian Mission - sharing and demonstrating the love of God in Dublin’s inner city

Subscribe online at www.vox.ie. All cheques should be made payable to ‘VOX Magazine’.

State Of The Nation - Ministry leaders reflect back and look to the future

VOX Magazine Ulysses House 22 - 24 Foley Street Dublin 1 Tel: 089 415 4507 info@vox.ie www.vox.ie

Encountering Heartbreak And Hope Among Refugees - Irish leaders learn from the church in Lebanon and Syria What Is God Doing In The Catholic Church In Ireland? - Paddy Monaghan looks back on the last ten years New Year His Way - Our new series on nutrition and faith Christianity and Economics (Part One) - what has the Bible got to say about economics?

Homegrown Beats - Exciting new irish albums being released

Regular Features VOX: Shorts

Music Reviews

VOX: World News

Event Listing

Your VOX: Inbox

Book Reviews

Musings with Patrick Mitchell

VOX: PS with Seán Mullan

Confessions of a Feint Saint

DISCLAIMER The views expressed in letters and articles are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the VOX Team or our partners. The acceptance of advertising does not indicate P32 endorsement.

PRINT Ross Print, Greystones, Co. Wicklow VOX magazine is a quarterly publication, brought to you by a passionate team of volunteers.

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VOX SHORTS

NEW CHRISTIAN REHAB CENTRE OPENS IN CORK

Christians often struggle with life-controlling issues such as depression, addictions and substance misuse. With State services under increasing pressure, a team of trained practitioners and volunteers decided to set up ‘The Rest’ – a new Christian rehabilitation centre bringing the Christian faith to the fore in dealing with deep-seated issues.

Set in the coastal village of Ballyandreen in East Cork, ‘The Rest’ will comprise of six weekends of intensive Bible teaching combined with Christ-centred counselling.

Numbers of residents will be kept low for these weekends so that participants can experience the best possible focused care and intervention.

Counsellor Brian Synnott who, heads up the team, explained “’The Rest’ exists to serve the local churches and intends to work in conjunction with church leaders who are already providing pastoral and after-care for the residents.”

The first weekend is due to begin late in January 2019.

For more information, contact: Brian Synnott or Sean Bowman email: admissions.therest@gmail.com.

CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICES Evangelist J John was the speaker at two Carol Services in Drogheda and Dublin in December organised by the Evangelical Alliance of Ireland.

Around 700 people attended each service.

COMING SOON – NINE FILMS THAT WILL HIT THE HEADLINES IN 2019

TIME OUT CHEZ BRADLEY

Remakes and sequels dominate the cinema lineup in the year ahead with plenty of family films to attract younger viewers. So, if you are planning a sermon series or kids’ event… maybe you could find inspiration or illustrations in one of these.

• Lego Movie 2 – February 2019 • How to train your dragon 3 - March 2019 • Dumbo (Live Action) – March 2019 • Aladdin (Live Action) – May 2019 • Toy Story 4 – June 2019 • Lion King (Live Action) – July 2019 • Wonder Woman 2 – November 2019 • Frozen 2 – November 2019 • Star Wars Episode IX – December 2019

Are you in Christian ministry? Are you in a dry, desert place? Are you in need of a short change that might be as good as a rest? A couple in Roscommon are offering a confidential safe space for people to take time out from their day-to-day routine and find rest and refreshment. Stephen Bradley and his wife Carol, who both have a background in nursing, provide a place to stay, a listening ear and someone to pray with. “This is something that we’ve wanted to do for at least 20 years,” Stephen shared. To find out more email: bradleys101@yahoo.co.uk.

CONTRADICTION IN TERMS?

Scrolling through ‘Christian’ Christmas gifts online is certainly an eye opener. Manufacturers have jumped on the bandwagon by adding Bible verses and ‘inspirational’ (sentimental?) quotes to all sorts of products from water bottles and wall hangings to phone accessories and Bible covers. But we were a bit troubled by this one (listed as one of the top ten ‘Christian’ gifts) – a rather vicious looking pocket knife complete with the inscription “The Lord is my Strength”. What do you think?

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VOX.IE JAN - MAR 2019

VOX MAGAZINE

DEVASTATINGLY BEAUTIFUL: GRAHAM JONES, CO-FOUNDER OF THE SOLAS PROJECT DIES AGED 42

Shortly before he died from cancer in early December, Graham Jones appeared on RTE radio with his wife Louise and brother, Rev. Rob Jones from Holy Trinity, Rathmines to share his story. In a powerful and moving interview, Graham, Louise and Rob spoke honestly of the heartbreak of suffering but also the sense of peace and joy they have found in God. Graham, who was first featured in VOX magazine in April 2014, shared how the Solas Project grew out of a desire to tackle social and educational disadvantage and youth crime in inner-city Dublin.

Shortly after leaving the Solas Project in order to train for ordination in 2016, Graham was diagnosed with cancer. Over the course of two years, Graham and Louise went through the highs and lows of treatment, remission and recurrence and eventually received the devastating news that he was terminally ill.

“I know as a Christian I’m going to heaven, so I have no fear in regard to where I’m going. Where the devastation comes is in terms of who I’m leaving behind,” Graham shared on national radio. “Without sounding pious or over religious, I feel a sense of joy and peace. God says that His peace will transcend human understanding.”

Louise described the journey as “devastatingly beautiful”. “In the midst of the most heartbreaking time, there has been unbelievable beauty, joy and intimacy. Since the diagnosis, we have savored every step of the journey and have looked for the gold in everything.”

“It is not a magic wand because there is real suffering, real pain and real tears, there is real heartbreak, but yet in some way, God will allow the joy to come through. We are safe in His arms,” Graham added.

Ed Note: On behalf of everyone at VOX magazine, I’d like to express my sincere condolences to Graham’s family and to everyone who knew or worked with him. It truly was a privilege to meet and interview him in 2014 – a light shines in the darkness!

CHURCH OF IRELAND CLIMATE CHANGE SEMINAR

Thirty delegates from around Ireland gathered in Belfast in November to discuss ways to reduce the impact of climate change. Stephen Trew, a member of Church of Ireland’s General Synod and campaigner for fossil fuel divestment, outlined a biblical perspective on the environment. He was motivated to take action through the story of an 11–year-old boy who lost his mother and sister when Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines in November 2013. “I realised that climate change is not simply an academic argument about the effect of carbon dioxide on global warming,” he commented. “It is about people’s lives.”

David Thomas, Christian Aid Ireland’s Church and Community Manager, described the consequences of climate change for people around the world including storms, flooding, disease and droughts. He pointed to a World Health Organisation estimate that global temperature increases of 2–3°C would increase the number of people at risk of malaria by around 3–5 per cent.

Summing up the day, Rev Andrew Orr, said: “We left even more determined to protect God’s world by taking practical action and encouraging government to make the environment a priority. We hope that those attending will feel inspired to get their churches and parishes involved in this work. There are lots of ideas about how to get started on the website of Eco Congregation. (www.ecocongregationireland.com).”

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WORLD NEWS

WHAT DOES 2019 HOLD FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS? As we enter 2019, David Turner (Church in Chains) looks at some of the recent trends that are likely to influence the situation of persecuted Christians around the world.

The increasingly repressive policies of the Chinese and Iranian governments Church in Chains has long supported Christians in Iran and China, but during 2018 became increasingly concerned at the deterioration in religious freedom in both countries. In Iran, this has become apparent in the growing numbers of Christians being arrested (over 114 in one week alone in November) and the longer prison sentences being given to Christians.

Meanwhile in China, the government’s new religious regulations (introduced in February) were rapidly and enthusiastically implemented by the authorities, resulting in weekly reports from all over the vast country of church services being raided, pastors arrested, children banned from church activities, national flags having to be raised in church buildings and patriotic songs sung as part of worship.

Indian General Election in April In India, Shibu Thomas, who spoke at the Church in Chains conference in September, said the church is going through an unprecedented time of persecution, with village churches being attacked on a weekly basis by Hindu extremists , emboldened by the lack of any government action to protect religious minorities. There is no prospect of a halt to such violence, with the April 2019 general election approaching in which both main parties are chasing the Hindu nationalist vote in an increasingly tense atmosphere.

Lack of stability in the Middle East During 2018, the Middle East continued to be very unstable, especially in Iraq and Syria, causing many Christians to conclude that there is no safe future for them in the region and to seek to emigrate. This has led to headlines forecasting the end of the church in the region where it was born.

No change in North Korea and Eritrea For many years, Christians have longed to see change in North Korea, the hardest place in the world to live as a Christian. This longing led to many optimistic headlines in 2018, following meetings between North Korea’s Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-un and the leaders of the USA, South Korea and China. However, nothing seems to have changed inside North Korea.

Similar hopes were expressed for Eritrea (known as the “North Korea of Africa”) when the new Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Dr Abiy Ahmed, visited Eritrea and signed a peace agreement with President Isaias Afewerki. However, while there have been huge changes in Ethiopia, the government of Eritrea continues to hold thousands of prisoners of conscience, including hundreds of Christians.

Find out more at www.churchinchains.ie.

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YEMEN CRISIS WORSENS With further escalation of the situation in Yemen, the UN now estimates that 22 million people (3/4 of the population) are in urgent need of humanitarian aid and protection. Sources on the ground estimate that 8.4 million people are at risk of starvation.

Tearfund Ireland’s partners are working to alleviate suffering caused by starvation and the recent cholera outbreak through emergency food programmes that also seek to provide families with a sustainable future. To donate, visit www.tearfund.ie.

STARVATION AND MALNUTRITION IN EAST AFRICA

Christian Aid Ireland reports that 16 million people across South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are desperately in need of food as the current humanitarian crisis shows no sign of improving.

As in most areas, children are the worst affected with hundreds of thousands facing malnutrition and starvation. To donate, visit www.christianaid.ie.

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Call us: 01 806 9060 Email us: Sarah@ibi.ie Look out for Open Days (advertised on our website)

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YOUR VOX

Star Prize of VOX we In each issue of a €25 ize pr a d awar r for our he uc One4all vo email r, tte le ite ur favo ent. It m m co or online u! yo be d ul co

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FAITH LIFE REALITY

Spirit andtruth Exploring and celebrating diversity in worship

The safest place?

HIV and the church in Ireland

St. Patrick’s Day

Christian Radio goes national

Meet surf champion John Mc Carthy

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Reclaiming

Waves of Mercy

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ISSUE 25 / JANUARY - MARCH 2015

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Special Feature

ART & FAITH

tRAvEllERS comE homE

“If we believe that imagination and creativity are gifts from God, why have we neglected them for so long?”

“Next time you look down at a traveller, remember our lord was one too.”

AN INvItAtIoN to A JoURNEy

PRAYING NIGHT AND DAY

Why knowledge is not enough

Reflections of the joy and journey of 24/7 prayer in Ireland

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ISSUE 34 / APRIL - JUNE 2017

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FINDING FAITH TOUR 2016 BEING CHURCH A TASTE OF WHAT GOD IS DOING AROUND IRELAND

MY STORY

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THE CHANGING FACE OF CHRISTIANITY IN IRELAND

FAITH IN REAL LIFE

ABSENCE OF HOME

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“I KNOW THAT JESUS WOULD WEEP.”

LOVE OF JESUS ON A PLATE

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ISSUE 36 / OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2017

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ISSUE 40 / OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2018

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ARE WE ALL ONE IN CHRIST ?

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The findings from our in-depth survey looking at Women in the Church

Equipped to Serve GREAT TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR YOUR CHURCH

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ETHICAL SHOPPING

ARE YOU PART OF THE PROBLEM OR THE SOLUTION?

LESSONS FROM RWANDA LEARNING ABOUT RECONCILIATION FROM THE RWANDANOCTCHURCH - DEC 2017 VOX 01

HOW INCLUSIVE IS YOUR CHURCH? Learning Difficulties and the Body of Christ

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en years and 40 issues of VOX magazine later, we shortlisted our favourite cover designs and asked you which you liked best. It was a close contest with votes coming in thick and fast through various social media platforms. There were lots of different opinions so here’s a selection of your comments: Sean voted for No 1 – one of our earliest cover designs from way back in 2009 – and commented, “Nathan Reilly looks incredible here”!

Voting for No 2 – the artistic cover from our ‘Money Issue’ in January 2011 (at the height of the recession) – Mary commented, “They are all nice but away from famous people, art and history, our most important thing is to be different in this busy world and not to go with the flow but keep our eyes on God. A hope for the ones who have no hope in this life. No. 2 means and says a lot for any person from any background and that’s what we should be caring about.”

The third cover design from 2012 features a poignant image for a magazine that explored Ireland’s cruel epidemic (suicide).

This design proved extremely popular. For Carainne the image expressed what it means to be in touch with God’s awesome and amazing creation. “What I love so much is being out there in the forest, the woods and seeing all that He has made. I worship Him and my eyes focus on His handiwork.”

The stunning cover design from our Art and Faith issue in January 2015 used a beautiful painting by Irish artist Fergus Ryan and prompted a number of responses. Lisa described it as, “Incredible” while Catherine felt it was “Very edgy and laid back.”

The cover design following the 2016 Finding Faith Tour featured Glendalough and provoked a flurry of responses.

Julie chose, “the round tower – our heritage of doing church the relational way that was the norm for our Celtic Christian ancestors.” And Ana added, “Glendalough is my favourite place.

A ‘thin place’ as it is called in Celtic spirituality.”

Tom voted for the diversity expressed by the cover design of issue 34, published in April 2017.

For Kylie , No. 7 was the best cover design (from October 2017) because, “… it’s really colourful and the girl on it looks very happy and welcoming.”

Voting for our most recent cover from issue 40, Megan said, “I like all of them but I especially like No 8 with the stained glass!”

It was a close race but there was a clear winner: No 5 – the cover design from the 2016 Finding Faith Tour! Second was the beautiful No 3 and in third place was No 7.

And the lucky winner of the €25 One4All voucher plucked from the hat is Catherine Mockler from Belfast congratulations!

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TENYEARSWITH 40 issues, over 1,000 articles, interviews and news items featuring churches, individual Christians and Christian ministries in all 32 counties and from every major denomination and type of church on this island… Here VOX editor Ruth Garvey-Williams reflects on the last decade and considers some of the lessons learnt from observing the big picture of Christianity in Ireland.

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s we launched VOX magazine in January 2009, at the height of the recession, some voices warned that our efforts were doomed. Thankfully, we also found encouragers along the way – people like Tom Slattery, Warren Nelson and Tony O’Connor – who stood by us, advised us and spurred us on.

From the very beginning, we wanted to explore what faith looks like in our Irish context and how the good news of Jesus Christ applies to every issue we face as individuals, families, churches, communities and in the wider society. We have sought to hold firmly to the Scriptures while, at the same time, seeking to understand the times in which we live (1 Chronicles 12:32) – holding a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other. (Although with the advent of smart phones, it is possible to hold both in one hand!)

A quick glance at the timeline reveals some of the seismic shifts that have taken place in the last ten years: from austerity, scandals and referenda to the homeless crisis and Brexit. And through all the highs and lows of national life, churches have faced their own challenges and changes.

In our daily lives, most of us are rightly focused on our own local parishes and communities. But as editor of VOX, my great privilege

has been to have a bird’s eye view of what is happening right across Ireland and Northern Ireland, beyond the boundaries of individual congregations, ministries and denominations.

Through our Finding Faith Tours, by attending gatherings, conferences and leadership meetings and by conducting research (e.g. our Millennial Survey in 2015 and the 3:28 Churches? Survey in 2018) recurring themes have emerged.

Here I’ll share reasons for gratitude and joy, some challenges and one heartbreaking concern:

1. HOPEFUL SIGNS, EXCITING TIMES National media outlets would have us believe that Christianity is dead or dying. It is true that some congregations are declining but it has been our joy to share stories of what God is doing in and through His Church in every corner of this island. The recession brought unexpected opportunities as people began to question the values and assumptions of the Celtic Tiger. Many Christian leaders described a new sense of expectancy and openness.

Since 2009, we have seen new churches established and old churches revitalised. There has been an explosion of interest in Alpha, Christianity Explored and similar programmes introducing people to Jesus, and we’ve been thrilled with the stories of people finding forgiveness and new life in Him.

The thriving, immigrant-led churches, especially from African, Brazilian and Romanian backgrounds, have grown rapidly. (Do you recall the inspiring story of the Romanian congregation that renovated their church building in just 27 days?). And Irish churches have also seen significant growth, especially in and around Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Belfast.

But as our Finding Faith tours have demonstrated, God is also at work in rural Ireland; in small, out-of-the-way towns where faithful witness is bearing fruit.

2. FAITH IN ACTION

Christians in Ireland are living out their faith in their local communities through food banks and addiction counselling, community meals and children’s clubs, prisoner rehabilitation, inner-city regeneration, and so much more!

One of my highlights was visiting the Anchorage Project and Fair Play Café in 2013. You can still read the story on our website (www.vox.ie/hope-startshere. At the heart of Joe Donnelly’s vision was the question, “How can we express authentic Christian hope in 21st Century Ireland?” And that is exactly what Joe and his wife Sharon have been doing in Ringsend, in Dublin city – bringing love and life and colour and bucket-loads of hope. “The Gospel is fabulous. It affects the whole of life and

WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST 10 YEARS?

• Irish rugby team wins the Six Nations Grand Slam • Ryan Commission report into child abuse • NAMA established

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• Irish government agrees bailout for banks plunging Ireland into austerity • Saville enquiry into Bloody Sunday prompts a British Government apology • Terminal 2 opens at Dublin Airport

• Queen Elizabeth II and US President Barak Obama visit Ireland • Landslide victory for Fine Gael in General election – Enda Kenny becomes Taoiseach • Michael D Higgins elected President

• Unemployment reaches 16% • Rory McIlroy becomes world number one golfer • Occupy movement and other protests against austerity • Historic handshake in Belfast between Martin McGuinness and Queen Elizabeth II

• Ireland exits the EU bailout • Enda Kenny makes an official state apology to the women who were abused in the Magdalene laundries.

• Pat Storey becomes the first woman bishop of the Church of Ireland

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MAGAZINE

the whole of the person,” Joe told me with a broad grin.

For me, this exemplifies how Christians are transforming their communities with passion, imagination and a lot of hard work. I’ve loved to share and celebrate some of those stories… and we hope there’ll be many more in the years to come!

3. LEARNING TO RESPOND WITH FAITH, NOT FEAR

Ten years ago, most Christians would have struggled to believe the changes that were about to take place in an increasingly secular state. The results of the marriage and abortion referenda took many by surprise, especially those who have yet to come to terms with the demise of Christendom and the declining power and influence of the church.

For some, rapid secularisation has brought disorientation, dismay and fear.

Sadly, this can lead to a defensive or even aggressive attitude, erecting walls or drawing lines in the sand.

Being out of step with the prevailing mood of society is nothing new for followers of Jesus – in fact, He warned us of this very thing – but He also told us not to be afraid.

While it may be challenging and uncomfortable, the changing face of Ireland has created new opportunities for faith communities to “shine like stars

“My great privilege has been to have a bird’s eye view of what is happening right across Ireland and Northern Ireland, beyond the boundaries of individual congregations, ministries and denominations.”

in the universe.” One beautiful example is the way churches are responding with care, counselling and practical support for women facing crisis pregnancies.

4. TACKLING FAULT LINES OF DISUNITY, DISADVANTAGE AND POLARISATION

I’ve been thrilled to see beautiful examples of unity in places like Mullingar, Sligo and Kilkenny, where Christians are working together, united by their love for Jesus and their desire to share that love with others.

Sadly, however, (and I share this with a heavy heart and some trepidation) it is still common for churches and church leaders to view one another with suspicion and mistrust, to look down on others as ‘lesser’ or to consider Christian unity as an optional extra. There is a tendency to believe the worst, to write one another off or to assign disparaging labels to those with whom we disagree.

Disunity and division between different ‘tribes’ is compounded by the significant generation gap identified by our VOX Millennial Survey and by issues of ethnicity, social class and gender.

• Tuam Baby Scandal goes viral • Death of Ian Paisley • There are large scale protests against the introduction of Water Charges

• Same Sex Marriage Referrendum – Roscommon is the only county to vote no • Eircodes introduced

• Centenary of the Easter Rising and the Battle of the Somme • General election, but it takes over two months for a government to be formed • The UK votes (narrowly) to leave the EU despite a strong ‘remain’ vote in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

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My greatest and enduring heartbreak over the last decade has been to see churches and individual Christians making a conscious choice to divide from others. Disobedience to Jesus’ prayer in John 17 is sometimes tolerated or justified on the grounds of cherished doctrines or practices. I believe this polarisation grieves the Holy Spirit and is one of the greatest hindrances to the Gospel that we face.

Loving one another does not mean we have to compromise our own deeplyheld convictions, but it does mean showing a Christ-like concern for others and being willing to listen to those with different views. Our unity is in Christ, made possible by His death and His resurrection. Let’s not miss out on the blessing He bestows when His people are united.

Thank you for sharing the journey with us. We’re looking forward to what God has in store for Ireland in the coming years and, with His help, we will continue to serve the Irish Church as together we seek to glorify Jesus and make Him known.

• Storm Ophelia wreaks havoc across Ireland • The Dail votes to abolish the controversial water charges • Leo Varadkar takes over as Taoiseach • Human remains found in the grounds of the Mother and Baby home in Tuam • Death of Martin McGuinness

• The ‘Beast from the East’ brings record snow falls • The 8th Amendment Repealed after a fiercely contended referendum on abortion. Donegal is the only county to vote ‘No’ • Irish rugby again wins the Six Nations Grand Slam • Pope’s visit to Ireland

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S T A T E OF THE N AT I O N P

astor Tunde Adedebayo-Oke, Regional Pastor and Country Co-ordinator for the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Ireland (currently the third largest Christian denomination in ROI) took time out from a major denominational conference in Nigeria to reflect on the last decade. He summed up his thoughts with two words – ‘Faithful God!’ The highlight [for us] has been the growth that God has allowed us; many souls that have been saved, many testimonies and God showing us mercy.

We appreciate that everything is spiritual and there is so much more to be done in the nation, while the society is becoming increasingly secular. We are concerned that this is happening in our own time and we are believing God to show us strategies to bring this nation back to Jesus.

Job 14:7-9 say, “For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its tender shoots will not cease. Though its root may grow old in the earth, and its stump may die in the ground, yet at the scent of water it will bud and bring forth branches like a plant.”

The above Scripture assures that there is great hope for this nation as long as we are praying God will show us mercy and bring us, as a nation, back to where He wants us to be. This nation has done so much through the missionary efforts in taking the Gospel to most parts of the world, building schools, hospitals and making Christianity real through the show of the love of Christ.

I believe we can draw hope and inspiration from the words of the great woman of God, Aimee Semple McPherson, who said, “O Hope! Dazzling, radiant Hope!

What a change thou bringest to the hopeless; brightening the darkened paths and cheering the lonely way.”

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In many countries, the head of state gives an annual address reflecting on the wellbeing of the country, highlighting concerns and outlining solutions. In this special 10th anniversary issue of VOX, we asked senior church leaders from a range of different denominations and church backgrounds to reflect back on the last 10 years.

We also asked the leaders from Christian organisations and ministries to do the same. Each leader considered what have been the highlights and concerns of the last decade and we asked each one, “What do you feel God is saying to the His Church?”

On these pages, we share responses from senior church leaders while on pages 26 to 29 you can read the thoughts from leaders of 24/7 Prayer Ireland, Tearfund, Alpha Youth, Church in Chains and Spirit Radio.

ev. Trevor Morrow, a former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland and Minister Emeritus of Lucan Presbyterian Church considers the current trajectory of Ireland and gives this challenge to the Church: We are living at a time of great opportunity. Unlike 10 years ago, when people were obsessed with money and pleasure, in recent times four words have become vitally important and sum up the prevailing mood. These four words are rights, justice, freedom and love. And these four words are at the heart of the Gospel!

Rights – people have a passion for human rights and they think that those rights have been given to them by the UN, the EU or even

by Leinster House. But they do not understand that human rights are rooted in creation – in the inherent dignity and worth given by God Himself to every human being.

Justice – there is a passion to pursue injustice. This has led to endless tribunals and commissions dealing with the abuses of the past, and of more recent history. For Christians, the “fall of humanity” leads us to a cry for justice, so we have a great opportunity to engage with people who are hungry for justice!

Freedom – people want the freedom to be whoever they want to be in terms of their gender, their sexual orientation and their life choices. There is a longing for freedom, but as Christians we know that redemption means real freedom.

Love – there is a desperate loneliness. People are searching for love by any means, whether through social media or in the wider society. And yet the Gospel is about setting people free to love and to be loved.

I’m concerned about the inability of the church, and especially in my context in the Presbyterian church, to respond to this prevailing mood. Most Christians live in a bubble. They see all these things going on around them as bad and threatening and alien. They believe that we are all under threat from the ‘baddies’ in society. And yet we have such a privileged position. If you lived in Syria, you would be under threat but here we are faced with the greatest opportunity that any Christian community can face. And our church doesn’t know how to respond. We’ve lost our sense of call and our understanding of how we are to minister to hurting people who need Jesus.

Rather than what I’d describe as a ‘Trumpite’ mentality of entrenchment and confrontation, this is a time to engage with the prevailing narrative, in language people can understand. It is a time to help people see that the Kingdom of God provides exactly what they have been searching for!

S

ean Mullarkey is Senior Pastor of St. Mark’s Church in Dublin and National Director of Christian Churches Ireland (CCI). He took time out to consider carefully what he sees as the highlights and concerns of the last 10 years.

HIGHLIGHTS

On behalf of the St. Mark’s family network of churches and CCI (Christian Churches Ireland), may I offer my sincere congratulations to VOX on your 10th birthday. You do an impeccable job of keeping the Church in Ireland informed about latest trends, nationwide updates and signs of new life throughout the island. You have been a tremendous highlight over the last decade. So, thank you and keep up the excellent work!

I have been so encouraged by the GROWTH we have witnessed in the churches we relate to. God has been so good and to Him be all the Glory. We have seen three new church plants come out of St. Marks and start in Bluebell, Tallaght and Ballybrack. We have also seen new church plants spring forth from within our CCI family, in partnership with ARC (Association of Related Churches) - Lighthouse Church Dublin, Open Arms Dublin and Gateway Church, Tullow, County Carlow.

I have been so delighted to see our youth and young adult ministries expanding. If you were to depend on our nation’s news outlets, you would believe that faith in God is dead or at least… dying! But the opposite is true. Our most healthy and fastest growing age groups are our youth and young adults.

They bring so much that is fresh and life giving; fresh zeal, fresh passion, fresh vision and fresh methods for the age-old message to go forth throughout the land. The future is in great hands!

Another highlight, has been the influx of new nationalities into our country and our churches. These incredible people have brought their best to our shores and our gatherings. We are all the richer in our fellowships and in the expressions of our faith, because of their arrival and integration into our faith families. They have also carried their faith around the nation and it blesses me, as I travel this great land of ours, to see many of their churches proclaiming Christ in our country towns and villages! The Lord is on the move!

CONCERNS

VOX MAGAZINE

THE UP AND COMING GENERATIONS NEED OUR SUPPORT, HELP AND ENCOURAGEMENT. LET’S BE THEIR CHEERLEADERS RATHER THAN A THORN IN THEIR FLESH.

I have been concerned with a lack of Bible knowledge among all age groups. While I love the academic approach to good Bible study, I am not talking about this here. I am talking about simple familiarity with the Good Book and the words of Jesus. We have so much access to Bible translations, commentaries and studies, yet we are in danger of taking it all for granted. I saw a meme the other day that arrested my heart. It said, ‘Everyone is a Christian, until it gets Biblical!’ I hope this is not the case and that my concern is ill founded, but I do wonder. Whatever we put in the storehouse now will be of great worth and value when the hard season comes.

We have had tremendous people of prayer with us through the years in our churches across the land who have consistently prayed for revival and for the up and coming generations to follow and love the Lord. The Lord has been faithful, has kept His word and answered prayer

with the resurgence in faith among our young people. Unfortunately, some (and certainly not all) have responded negatively to the ‘prayed for’ arrivals.

It seems that some sincere-hearted generations from yesteryear wanted God to move among the next generation, which is so commendable, but they didn’t want anything to change… and this concerns me.

As I write, I find myself as an older, hopefully more mature Christian, praying for my children and in time, their children. I hope to be someone who gives them a step up and makes way for them to run with the baton! The up and coming generations need our support, help and encouragement. Let’s be their cheerleaders rather than a thorn in their flesh. My fellow Pastor, Des Curtis, and I have a deal that if, in time, we hear the other complaining or being grumpy about the new ‘styles, songs or systems’ which the new generation will understandably employ to reach out in their times, we have permission to give the other a good, loving kick in the… armchair!

Having said this, my generation and the people coming after me need to find ways to honour, bless and include the heroes that have gone before us. We stand on the shoulders of these giants. And while there is tension in this, we need God’s wisdom and guidance to navigate a course that loves, appreciates and honours the past but also purposefully progresses and changes to make sure we have the right voice for the right times! A voice that is Biblical, relevant, compassionate and brave.

Another concern is the way that some Christians use social media. In a time when we need all ‘hands on deck’ and all hearts focused on the harvest and united against the enemy of our souls, we have self-appointed social ‘commentators’ tearing down and bad-mouthing fellow believers. Jesus said that people would know us by the love we have one for the other. I pray we remember this before we go on line to offer a piece of our minds! Wouldn’t it be of more value to give the peace from His mind?

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THE IRISH CHURCH?

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

We are closer to the Lord’s return than ever before, and whether its hundreds of days or hundreds of years away, let us keep encouraging each other. We have one enemy and one church of Jesus Christ. Let us be clear about which one we are against. Let’s spur one another on and encourage each other with our words, in our prayers, in our celebration of each other’s victories. Let’s speak well of each other and use our words and social media posts to build up and not tear down.

Let’s be blessed with the good news stories and testimonies we read in VOX and on various social media outlets. Let’s bless the Lord for the various ‘flavours’ and the diverse array of Christian churches working to bring in the harvest for the Lord. And as the day gets closer, let us encourage each other all the more!

Happy birthday VOX magazine and well done!

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P

astor Trevor Hill leads the Plumbline Network of Churches and pastors River of Life Church in Athlone.

HIGHLIGHTS

It is wonderful to see the growth of new churches throughout Ireland and the mix of nationalities within a lot of these churches. I believe God has allowed different nationalities to come to our nation, which has increased the Christian population - by Christian, I mean people who have genuinely experienced the love of God in a personal way that has and continues to change their lives as they become more like Jesus. It is also exciting to see some of the new churches move from first generation to second generation with young Irish leaders.

CONCERNS

I’m concerned about the deliberate secularisation of our nation and sadly even within the church. We are being led along a dangerous slippery road by what is called the ‘New Modern Ireland,’ which for the majority does not include God, His

F

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO THE IRISH CHURCH

I believe it is time for the many different expressions of the Church to stand up and be counted in these days - we have the greatest message of hope, purpose and love the world is looking for. I also believe there needs to be a new level of unity within the Church in Ireland, not just to stand up individually, which is great, but also to stand up together to be a real witness to a watching world of how we truly love one another.

I’ll sum up with the words of the Apostle Paul and one of my favourite descriptions of the Church from Ephesians 4:16, “From Him the whole Body joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up as each part does its work.”

Together with God and one another we can make a difference!

THERE ARE LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR MATURE, LONG-STANDING CHURCHES TO PLAY A PART IN SHELTERING, SUPPORTING AND NURTURING TENDER SHOOTS IN THEIR VICINITY.

rom 2017 to 2018, Rev. Laurence Graham was the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland. He reflects back on what he observed and learnt during that time.

HIGHLIGHTS & CONCERNS

It has been a joy to welcome people from around the world who have often brought new life and strength to our churches.

There have been new opportunities especially in the Republic of Ireland as the atmosphere/culture has become more open.

I’ve been concerned by the growing secularism, and also that some congregations have failed to realise that Christendom is over and that we need to engage with society in different ways and reach out incarnationally.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO THE IRISH CHURCH

In January, I visited an Agroforestry plantation in the Bolivian Amazon. It led to a sort of parable forming in my mind for the Methodist Church in Ireland as I finished my year as President, but I think it also resonates with the wider church.

In the plantation, I saw old mature trees rising far above the other plants, giving shade and whose roots give structure to the soil. Then there were slightly smaller fruit trees, such as mango or coconut which have been there for a long time and produce gorgeous fruit every year. Interspersed are mediumterm plants such as banana. They take a couple of years to get established but then keep producing. Finally, at ground level there are short-term plants such as beans, maize and sweet pepper. It may not look tidy but the whole point of an agroforestry plantation is that old mature trees, medium-term plants and short-term annual crops are all growing together and each one relies on the other.

But what’s all this got to do with the Church? During this year, I have visited congregations where the numbers 16

Word or His values and standards. (What is popular is not always right and what is right is not always popular).

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attending on a Sunday are much less than they were a few decades ago because people no longer go to church. Also, in my travels, I have seen plenty of new growth but it’s definitely not monoculture. It’s agroforestry. Sometimes there’s growth in a place or a particular context that is really fruitful but only lasts a short time. There are other more medium-term projects.

Also, of course, there are new plants that will grow for a long time and will become mature trees. But the point is that there is huge variety around our church and each type of church needs different kinds of care.

Like in the agroforestry plot, I have also seen some signs of death. There are some churches that are probably not going to live for very much longer. However, again we can ensure that nothing is wasted and that even the death of a church, whose life has come to an end for whatever reason, can nourish and nurture the future life of another church.

But then there are also lots of mature older churches that continue to live on and play their part in the whole living mixture of our church today. Just like in the agroforestry plantation there are lots of opportunities for mature, long-standing churches to play a part in sheltering, supporting and nurturing tender shoots in their vicinity.

Just like agroforestry the Church in Ireland of today and tomorrow may look untidy and maybe we would prefer to see neat rows of ‘plants’ but the variety is in fact life-giving.

So, let’s not get depressed, rather let’s recommit ourselves to tending this ‘agroforestry plantation’ called the Church which God has placed in our care. Let’s harvest from the mature plants in such a way that we tend the new shoots and, where there is death, let us ensure that when life ends, it is re-cycled into new life.

Musings...

VOX MAGAZINE

Jesus, the Smile of God With Patrick Mitchel

O

ne of the best (and also challenging) things about Church is that it throws all sorts of people together who would otherwise probably never interact with each other. For example, it’s rare, I think, in our culture for deep friendships to be formed across generations. But, despite being ancient (in my 50s), it is a delight to have good friends who are a generation younger. Two such couples had their first baby last year. It’s been a joy to see their joy. And, since I have just finished a draft of a book on love, it got me thinking about the love of parents for their children.

Now I know that, sadly, this is not always the case, but there is nothing fiercer or more tender than parental love. The mother and father envelop their baby in love; they would do anything for the well-being of that little bundle of life. They bombard their baby with smiles (and various clucking and cooing noises along with weird facial expressions).

Eventually this tiny new person smiles back.

That first smile is a transcendent moment and is what these musings are about.

In reading about love, I came across these comments by a Swiss theologian, Hans Urs von Balthasar (all the quotes are drawn from J. K. A. Smith, You Are What You Love.) He writes, “After a mother [I’d add father as well!] has smiled at her child for many days and weeks, she finally receives her child’s response. She has awakened love in the heart of her child.”

The baby is loved into loving. And von Balthasar then draws parallels between parental love and God’s love.

God interprets Himself to man as love in the same way: He radiates love, which kindles the light of love in the heart of man, and it is precisely this light that allows man to perceive this, the absolute Love: “For it is God who said, ‘Let light shine out of the darkness,’ who has [shone] in our heart to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6). In this face, the primal foundation of being smiles at us as a mother and as a father. Insofar as we are His creatures, the sea of love lies dormant within us as the image of God (imago). But just as no child can be awakened to love without being loved, so

too no human heart can come to an understanding of God without the free gift of His grace - in the image of his Son. This is a beautiful and moving picture. It is also profoundly biblical. John writes that “love is from God because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8). “We love because he first loved us” (4:19). That love takes flesh-and-blood form in the self-giving love of Jesus: “This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him” (4:9). And it is in our response of love that we come to a knowledge of who God is: “Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God” (4:7).

Think about that for a moment: John tells us that we love in order to know. That’s a radical thought in a culture which thinks that knowledge equals information and facts and ‘know-how’ and has nothing to do with love.

Theologian, James K. A. Smith, puts it this way, “The smile of the cherishing mother [again, what about dads?!] that evokes the smile of the infant is a microcosm of a cosmic truth: that God’s gracious initiative in the incarnation - ‘He first loved us’ - is the provoking smile of a Creator who meets us in the flesh, granting even the grace that allows us to love Him in return.”

Jesus as the smile of God. Now that’s an image to mull over the next time you hold a happy baby in your arms.

And it is in our response of love that we come to a knowledge of who God is.

Dr. Patrick Mitchel is Senior Lecturer in Theology at the Irish Bible Institute. You can follow his blog at www.faithinireland.wordpress.com.

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FAITH

Growing and Vibrant Christianity Beyond the Four Main Denominations

BY NICK PARK

W

e can probably all agree that we live in a rapidly changing world. But just how our world is changing is a matter of debate, particularly when it comes to religious faith. There is a popular misconception that spirituality is in decline because of increased secularism, but research demonstrates the opposite to be true. In a secular world, the way people practise religion certainly changes but, in global terms, humankind is actually becoming more religious. Between 1970 and 2010 the percentage of the world’s population who professed to be atheists fell from 4.5% to 2%.

But what about Europe? Isn’t Europe a post-Christian continent? Nominal religious affiliation is certainly falling but convictional faith is alive and well – and being expressed in an increasing variety GROWING of ways. & Two recent pieces VIBRANT of research support Christian Chu this conclusion. rches Beyond the Tra ditional Four Main De The first is a report nominations from the European Evangelical Alliance that charts the growth of active Evangelical Christians across the continent. According to the EEA, the numbers of such Christians increased from 15 million in 2005, to 20 million in 2015, and 23 million in 2017. While evangelical believers are still a small minority of the overall European population, they are growing at a dramatic rate.

Closer to home, a new report by Evangelical Alliance Ireland, entitled Growing and Vibrant, explores an oftignored segment of Irish Christianity.

Of course, there are many thousands of Evangelical Christians in traditional

EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE IRELA 2018 ND

A census and

survey of

MAIN POINTS

A Growing Churc h • The survey identified over 500 non-mainstre Churches across am Christian Ireland.

• 58% have grown in size over the last 11% report a five years and decline in numb only ers.

• 88% expec t to see furthe r growth over the next five years.

A Vibrant Churc h • 46% of memb ers are under 30 years of age, are under 50 while 75% years of age.

• An averag e of 5 gatherings per week majority of memb attended by the ers.

• A strong emph asis on workin g within their community.

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denominations but the traditional narrative of ‘the four main churches’ means government census questions are framed in ways that fail to take account of the increasing number of Christian believers worshipping in congregations beyond the mainstream denominations.

EAI has identified over 500 such churches.

The Growing & Vibrant survey looks beyond the raw numbers and reveals a multiplicity of growing congregations with a young age profile and a rich blend of ethnicities.

46% of members are under 30 years of age, and 75% are under 50 years old. In contrast to the popular notion that the Irish are ‘losing their religion’, 58% of the churches surveyed have seen growth in the last five years, with only 11% experiencing decline. This growth translates into hope for the future, with 88% of the churches expecting to experience growth in the coming five years.

These rates of growth, coupled with the age profile of such churches, naturally produce high levels of activity and community involvement. On average, the churches in the survey held five gatherings a week, with the majority of members being involved.

One significant finding in the survey was that Christian churches beyond the mainstream denominations, even though they have many similar characteristics, use very different terminology to describe themselves.

The most popular self-designations are Pentecostal, Evangelical, Born Again, Non-Denominational, Charismatic, Word of Faith, Baptist and Reformed!

I’ve often said that trying to organise Evangelicals is a bit like herding cats – and now I have statistical evidence for that statement! On a more serious note, this helps explain why census figures consistently fail to count this segment of our community adequately.

The Growing & Vibrant survey suggests that the Irish are not as unique as we sometimes believe ourselves to be when it comes to religious faith. Our experience mirrors what has been happening worldwide for some time now, and more recently across Europe. Society at large is becoming more diverse and secular, with religious involvement no longer being taken for granted in popular culture or upheld

by State institutions. That provides a fertile environment for different expressions of faith that combine personal commitment with a sense of community.

THIS HELPS EXPLAIN WHY CENSUS FIGURES CONSISTENTLY FAIL TO COUNT THIS SEGMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY ADEQUATELY.

Nick Park is the Executive Director of the Evangelical Alliance Ireland.

CONFESSIONS OF A FEINT SAINT

VOX MAGAZINE

Ten Years is a Long Time to Feel Feint

By Annmarie Miles

H

APPY 1Oth BIRTHDAY VOX! It has been a pleasure and a joy to be involved with VOX Magazine. I’ve been around almost from the beginning. (I missed the very first issue but have been here ever since.)

I remember wondering how I could say anything of any interest or importance. “The only way I can do it,” I thought, “is to be honest from the outset and just say what’s on my mind and heart.” It’s where the Feint Saint title came from. I’m an imperfect follower of God. If you get that, then everything else might make some sense.

I’ve been looking back over the last ten years of this column. As things have changed in my life, I’ve been able to share some of it with you. At lot has happened…

In 2009, I finally got my degree.

In 2010, I wrote about recovering in hospital after my cornea transplant.

2011 saw Mr Feint Saint and me struggling through a time of financial difficulty.

My favourite story from 2012 was about a mix up in a Cypriot airport when I was crying having said goodbye to Richard for three weeks.

The airport staff misunderstood me when I said, “I’ve just left my husband…”

In 2013, I shared about the heartbreaking hilariousness of living with my dad for a time.

2014 was about loss for me. I lost a dear friend and my dad within weeks of each other.

2015 was the first year of becoming a Pastor’s wife, or should I say, the husband becoming a Pastor.

In 2016, I visited my cornea donor’s family in the US and got to thank them face to face.

2017 saw me making real changes to my diet, exercise and general health.

In 2018, I continued to share about the changes I’m going through, both physical and emotional.

That’s just me. One person. One faulty follower. I can imagine you, dear reader, could write a similar list of the trials and triumphs of the last ten years.

And Ireland herself is almost unrecognisable. The Celtic Tiger lost her teeth somewhat, and the memories of the difficulty of eighties Ireland were resurrected. Austerity became the norm. There were religious scandals, political storms, not to mention the dealings of some bankers and builders being brought out into the open. Pretty dismal reading.

“Hey!” I hear you cry, “I thought you were supposed to be the chirpy one around here…”

Okay, here comes the chirpy bit. In the last ten years, God has been where God always is... on His Throne. Watching over us through the storms and the sunshine. Caring, providing, leading, guiding. Building His church, stopping the gates of hell from prevailing against it.

As we head into 2019, the last year of another decade, we do so as the children of God. None of us knows what’s ahead, except that we’re on our way home and God will be with us every step of the way, as He has always been.

Thank you, VOX, for helping us to gauge the spiritual pulse of the nation over the last ten years. Thanks for letting me throw my tuppence worth in. Thank you, readers, for reading and dropping the odd encouraging comment my way. I pray God blesses each and every one of you; that He will be ALL you need.

With love, from your ever-Feint Saint x

“In the last ten years, God has been where God always is... on His Throne.”

Annmarie Miles is originally from Tallaght and now lives in her husband Richard’s homeland, Wales. As well as VOX articles, she writes short stories, and is working on a book about her journey with food, weight gain, weight loss and God. Visit her blog at www.auntyamo. com. On Twitter she is @amowriting.

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REALITY

Life Beyond Addiction Tiglin Celebrates a Decade of Fighting Substance Abuse

BY VICTORIA MITCHELL

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VOX.IE JAN - MAR 2019

VOX MAGAZINE

ON

a crisp day in October, a beautiful scene is unfolding in the heart of the Wicklow countryside.

Hanging baskets of flowers colourfully decorate stone buildings in an open courtyard and sunflowers stand tall beside converted stable yards. A glittering pond lies beyond a green vegetable tunnel and chickens stare nosily from their hen runs. Lush hillsides of rich forestry paint the backdrop of this tranquil image, autumn’s red and gold hues imbued by the mellow sun.

Within this idyllic scene, parents and grandparents can be seen leisurely strolling through the courtyard while children are entertained by face-painting and an abundance of toys. Everyone indulges in some free ice cream and desserts. Even Peppa the golden retriever enjoys her share of the delicacies, accepting ice-cream from generous guests.

TIGLIN - 10 YEARS ON

The celebration service held to commemorate Tiglin’s 10th Year Anniversary in October 2018 may sound like a fairy tale but there is nothing magical about the issues it addressed.

Addiction, crime and homelessness are just some of the harsh realities that Tiglin has been tackling during the past decade as it strives to transform the lives of those battling substance abuse.

Thankfully, most of its residents have achieved a happy ending following their journey to recovery.

At the commemoration event, food, face painting and free ice cream were just some of the treats on offer for guests. However, the true highlight of the day was a service held in the afternoon during which several poignant testimonies were recounted by past and current students. (Speakers were put at ease by the relaxed setting of the service - a converted barn decorated with fairy lights and situated in the open air.

Mark Henderson, the first male student to successfully complete the

programme, openly related his story of transformation.

“I had done a Teen Challenge programme before in Scotland but still hadn’t dealt with several issues by its conclusion. Trauma occurred during my childhood and at one point I was about to kill myself. For four years, I isolated myself from God and Christian friends until in August 2008 I came to Ireland to pay a short visit to my sister. Upon stepping off the boat in Larne, I had a real sense of elation and knew that God had me in the right place at the right time. My sister brought me over to Tiglin where I spoke to Phil and decided to embark upon the programme. It was a scary prospect because I realised that I would have to give up everything and start a new life but throughout it all God was speaking to me.”

“Being on heroin for ten years leaves you feeling like an outcast who is disconnected from society. All I wanted was what I had missed out on having - a wife, a family, a job, all the things that give a man dignity. I realised that my JAN - MAR 2019 VOX.IE

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Tiglin joint founder Aubrey McCarthy

second time of doing the programme was a second chance from God and that my misery did not stem from drugs but from being apart from Him. I needed to give my life to Jesus to be truly satisfied and ever since doing that I have never been tempted to take drugs again. I’ve had really bad days but I have never been truly tempted to resume my old lifestyle. Ten years later, I have a family, two children, a beautiful wife and a rewarding job working with adults with disabilities.

My life has been transformed.”

Mark’s testimony draws attention to the Christian principle at the core of Tiglin’s work.

Its Mission Statement says: “Tiglin, operating under a Christian ethos, endeavours to help people become mentally sound, emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, physically well, and spiritually alive”. It strives to help those dealing with substance abuse and lifeaffecting addiction problems.

Former resident Paul McDonnell testified to the central role that faith played in his journey and how an HSE counsellor encouraged him to go to Tiglin for recovery. A previous heroin addict, his life has dramatically changed thanks to the programme and he is currently studying for a Social Science Degree. Speaking at the event, he said: “Upon coming to the centre in February 2016, I was met with love by a Christ-centred group. It was beautiful to see what they had and it put me in a position where I chose to seek God and have a deep relationship with Him.” Around 240 people were present

at the anniversary event with former graduates, support workers and family members all attending to give their backing to Tiglin’s endeavours.

It was a particularly special day for joint founders, Phil Thompson and Aubrey McCarthy, who ten years ago commenced their mission of creating a professionally equipped and staffed rehabilitation centre under a Christian ethos.

Aubrey commented: “We did a survey of our work and found we have a 72% success rate of students who completed the programme. It was wonderful to note that all of the graduates who addressed the anniversary event are now in full-time employment and recently purchased their own homes. It’s heartening, and it proves there is life beyond addiction!”

Tiglin’s story is almost as inspirational as the testimonies of its residents. In 2008 Phil and Aubrey purchased a dilapidated building in the Wicklow countryside which required all the money they had set aside for the project. Refurbishment was needed but financial resources were not in place for the renovation. They put out an appeal for tradesmen to provide their services and 80 volunteers responded by offering their skills free of charge.

This cycle of generosity continued when both a Kildare businessman and a leading home interiors business chose to donate furniture to the centre.

More recently, the Tiglin site has been expanded with the acquisition of a courtyard which once housed An Oige Youth Hostel and a number of additional buildings. It was once again restored

TEN YEARS LATER, I HAVE A FAMILY, TWO CHILDREN, A BEAUTIFUL WIFE AND A REWARDING JOB.

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thanks to volunteers, donations and a plentiful supply of goodwill.

Tiglin was born from hospitality, making its success truly heart-warming as it represents a triumph for human kindness. Its community spirit can immediately be felt upon entering the grounds and talking to its residents.

Karen Parrow was one of the first women to graduate Tiglin’s programme.

Her life had spiralled out of control, and when her children were taken into care, she sought professional help. Speaking at the event, she reflected upon the sense of community that permeates Tiglin.

“In my experience, the defining aspect of the Tiglin programme is the acceptance that accompanies practical advice. Everyone is accepted for who they are and nobody is made to feel worthless. I was completely broken and at a stage of desperation when I entered the programme but in Tiglin I found a constant source of family, community and support.”

Karen is now married and lives in Sandyford where she works as a councillor for Tiglin. She reiterates the message that transformation is possible.

“Having been a resident and a councillor, I have been on both sides of the fence and can see the incredible work that goes on at Tiglin. My life has been completely transformed thanks to my decision to take the programme.

I would recommend it to anyone struggling with addiction.”

Another woman, also called Karen came into contact with Tiglin’s day programme in Arklow. She recounted her story: “Growing up in south inner-city Dublin where addiction was everywhere, I was involved in drugs from the age of 15 to 21. As a result, my family pulled away from me and I was homeless on the streets of Dublin with no hope left.

I ended up in prison where I did a drugs detox, only to later relapse; the demons, the darkness and poor mental health all came back. I felt lonely and desperate and needed support. I started coming to Tiglin Day Service and four-and-a-half years later, I’m a supervisor there. I love my job because I identify with chaos and brokenness. For me, God came into that brokenness and now I have good family and friends who support me.”

Many similarly moving stories were told during the event, which testify to Tiglin’s success. Currently there are support accommodation facilities provided for 12 women and 30 men as well as re-entry facilities for 30 men in Carraig Eden, Greystones. Tiglin also

VOX MAGAZINE

caters for 21 people in a day programme in Arklow, with a 4-bed accommodation centre. The No Buck’s Café goes out to Dublin four nights a week: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday in the city centre and Tuesday in Ballymun.

On a recent visit to Tiglin Ryan Tubridy said: “I’ve come to Tiglin and experienced that there is actually “life beyond addiction” and have met extraordinary people who have had extraordinary lives and came through the other side and are inspirational.”

Although Tiglin can reflect upon the successes that have occurred during the past ten years, its founders continue to look towards future improvements.

“We would love to tackle the men’s accommodation which hasn’t been

upgraded in 10 years. The lads deserve better sleeping quarters”, says Aubrey.

Such a statement is indicative of Tiglin’s ethos which is based upon helping each person as an individual, not just addressing their problems.

The Tiglin approach is to teach a whole new way of living by not only tackling substance abuse but teaching a variety of life skills to allow residents reach their full potential.

Tiglin’s CEO Phil Thompson added, “Today’s world looks for evidence and facts and that’s exactly what we saw [at the anniversary celebration]. The evidence is that I once was lost, lost in my addiction and brokenness and now I am found. I look back at the many people who have been restored

I WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN AND AT A STAGE OF DESPERATION WHEN I ENTERED THE PROGRAMME BUT IN TIGLIN I FOUND A CONSTANT SOURCE OF FAMILY, COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT.

at Tiglin over the years and realise that without the support of those around us none of this would have come together.

Everyone who has given, whether it was time, money or prayer, has made a vital contribution and one that has impacted many people and saved many families from continued heartache.”

Tiglin’s Tenth Year Anniversary celebration beautifully depicted the life that can belong to all its residents.

Rather than dwell upon suffering, it instead painted a picture of an ideal and achievable future. The family-orientated day, with its face painting, toys room and ice cream, proves beyond doubt that there truly is life beyond addiction.

Victoria Mitchell is from Co. Down and is studying English at Trinity College.

She loves children and is really enjoying getting to know Dublin!

We are hiring!!

Children’s Worker

.

Internship

Find out more at www.christcitychurch.ie/jobs.

.

Apprenticeship

All roles based in Dublin.

JAN - MAR 2019 VOX.IE

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REALITY

A week in the life of the Dublin Christian Mission

BY JOE MURPHY

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t’s 7.30am on Monday morning and preparations are underway to open the Taste & See Café in Chancery Place. Open Monday to Friday from 8am - 1pm, this café serves a variety of coffees and teas, pastries and cakes.

Its purpose is to see people from the community come through the doors of the mission to provide a welcoming gathering place. Carlos Lewis oversees the operations with many dedicated volunteers engaging and connecting with community. It provides a great atmosphere for sharing about the work of the DCM. The café is also used as a meeting place for small groups and special events in the evenings.

Carlos comments, “Our purpose is to connect with people, build relationships, and care for others within the community. I have seen God working in this ministry by the simplicity of a cup of coffee while sharing about my faith and my testimony daily through the work of the Café.”

purpose is to develop friendship where we know and care for each individual by name, helping in both their practical and spiritual needs. We participate in the application process to five Christian rehab centres and provide resources to other services. Our days are full of sharing personal stories and providing advice. What we hear over and over again from our faithful volunteers are powerful testimonies of sitting with the guests and sharing our own story of hope and faith.

In a practical way, we help our friends with the housing process and encourage those seeking a new way of life to volunteer with us, developing good practical experience. We help prepare CVs, assist with job referrals and training, and provide a back to education course. It is exciting to witness the impact of example. Sean Donohoe, who oversees the work at The Light House, was homeless and in addiction himself and effectively uses his story to encourage others..

THE LIGHT HOUSE

SEAN’S STORY

Meanwhile, over on Pearse Street at The Light House, early Tuesday morning volunteers are heading to pick up a food donation. The Light House operates a drop-in centre for the homeless Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons providing an open door and a warm environment for those on the streets and in need of a hot meal or simply a place for friendship. Many guests and visitors describe us as a family, a place of trust and love. Friday is our day for small group meetings and street work, before finishing the week with a delicious Saturday night dinner.

At The Light House, while serving hot meals, we also provide basic personal items such as clothing, toiletries and sleeping bags. Our greater 24

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“I was brought up in Dublin and ended up running away when I was 13 years old due to a lot of family problems,” Sean shares. “I was homeless and lived on the streets. I also spent many years in prison and ended up on drugs. Eventually, I went into Tiglin, a Christian residential treatment centre in Wicklow, where I had a powerful encounter with God. I started doing outreach on the streets, praying with people and seeing God touch lives. Street outreach was the passion of my heart, I knew if God could change my life, He could do it for others. A friend told me about The Light House, which led me to a position, doing what I loved to do! We love and feed the homeless and help people with life controlling problems such as addiction,

VOX MAGAZINE

referring many people into Christian rehabs. We have an active prayer room where we listen, console, advise and pray with our guests, sharing our hope and faith in Jesus. There is nothing like seeing God touch and change lives!”

Even with the many success stories through God’s work at The Light House, the homeless situation continues to worsen in Dublin. This is a complicated issue. Weekdays, we welcome between 80 and 120 guests per day and at our Saturday night dinner up to 150. The challenges, causes and needs of homelessness are extensive and yet it is our desire to engage with each individual God sends through our doors in a loving way, participating in His restoring work in each precious life.

have known the plans God had for me? I would not be where I am today only for the kindness that everyone at The Light House has shown me.”

YOUTH WORK AND AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS

Back over at Chancery Place, youth work and after-school clubs are active and lively five days a week. The clubs provide a variety of activities, sports, crafts, life skills, Bible stories and songs. We use our facility at Chancery Place as well as community spaces such as schools, community centres and even football pitches. This has opened great opportunities to engage with parents and local residents.

In these challenging environments, it is our hope that we can build influential relationships that will help direct the paths and decisions of our young people and that they would see their personal need for God at a young age. During the summer months, we change our focus to camps, three-day clubs and special outings. We are also involved in events that gather the parents and senior members of these areas. Anto Fermoyle and Leanne Shields oversee our youth and family outreaches with many committed volunteers and short-term teams.

Anto says, “I started to work with the mission in 2015 and love being a part of what God is doing in the city. As a kid, I attended youth clubs and summer camps with DCM and they are some of the best memories I have. Now, years later and after many personally challenging years, I am happy to give back, knowing from experience what effect a youth club or

“I KNEW IF GOD COULD CHANGE MY LIFE, HE COULD DO IT FOR OTHERS.”

DAVID’S STORY

David progressed from guest, to volunteer, to student. “When I first came to The Light House, I was homeless and a friend told me that I could get food and clothes there. I was introduced to Sean, told him about my situation and he was able to get me a place to stay. I later started volunteering at The Light House. It was strange at first because it is a Christian place. I didn’t know who God was at all but after a few months being there, I was brought to church for my very first time. I liked it and a few months later I was baptised. Now I know who God is! Being in The Light House changed my life completely. I have been trained in the kitchen and now assist in a variety of activities. I began a CE scheme a year ago and just recently started college. Who would

camping week can have on our young people. As a team, we are thankful that God is using us to reach out to youth and families in Dublin.”

Leanne adds, “As a young teenager from Co. Down, I volunteered at many Christian summer camps in Dublin and instantly fell in love with the city and its people. I always knew I wanted to move here when I was older and continue this work after graduating college. Ten years on, my dream is a reality and I have been working as a youth worker at DCM since 2016. I love having the opportunity to connect with kids and young people and with communities as a whole. It’s exciting to see what God is doing here in the city!”

Comments from the children show how much the clubs mean to them. “I don’t just like club, I love club,” one said. While another added, “This is my favourite thing to do in the week, and I have been looking forward to coming here all day since I woke up for school!”

One parent admitted that she uses club to bribe her child to go to school! They are also learning how much God loves them.

Our greatest desire is that others would see and hear Jesus! Even with all the despair and challenges we encounter each day, for each one of us our greatest need is relational, and especially our relationship with God. That is our mission - that others would know the love of our God! If you would like other information or would be interested in supporting this work in some way, please contact our office through office@dcmlive.ie or 01 677 5548.

Joe Murphy is the Operations Manager for Dublin Christian Mission.

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S T A T E OF THE N AT I O N S

haran Kelly is CEO of Tearfund Ireland, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2018, and she is also chairperson of the Evangelical Alliance of Ireland.

IN THE LIGHT OF THE LAST DECADE, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO THE IRISH CHURCH?

VOX asked me to consider these questions in light of Tearfund Ireland’s own 10-year celebrations. In 2018, we celebrated 10 years of operations as a fully-fledged Irish owned and registered Christian charity. But we have a 50-year history with Christians in Ireland getting behind Tearfund UK in response to the famine in Biafra.

As these things go, we can tend to look back at the successes of the last 10 years. Looking at our growth, how many people we have assisted in times of natural disaster, conflict, famine, etc. We considered all of the countries we worked in, projects we ran and vulnerable children and women we have reached. These were our highlights.

But then we looked at the broken world we live in, and it wasn’t long before we stopped ‘patting ourselves on the back’. We felt there is more God wants to achieve and His work through the church is not yet complete. We are looking forward to the next 10 years and more. The rate of change is phenomenal and listening to what the Lord wants to say to us in the midst of it all needs intentionality.

Answering the questions, my first highlight is the leadership across Christian life in Ireland. I think of the church leaders of the past and consider that in the last decade we have seen new young leaders across various denominations. These new leaders are taking up the mantle of the Evangelical Movement. Ireland is a very different country to that of the 20th century. Its new and emerging leaders, as well as our wise experienced leadership, need our prayers as the church considers its relevance and influence in today’s Ireland.

We need to celebrate the leaders of the past and present but we need to also consider the type of leadership that is needed in the next 10 years.

My second highlight is also a low-light in some ways – but I see it more as an 26

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Ministry leaders share their thoughts about the last decade and look ahead to the future.

opportunity. There has been much growth in many churches within the country and much decline in others. I meet people with a faith in the Lord who I won’t see in my local church.

There are people tuning into radio stations like Spirit Radio who we might never meet. Many churches have a strong desire to reach the poor, homeless, those in need in their communities, but don’t know how. There are others who have yet to feel this call on them.

In some churches there is great engagement in their community and in others there is a focus on maintaining church life even to the point of mere survival. There is much to be learned from looking back and looking to each other.

Why is one congregation thriving and another declining? How can we come together to encourage, bless and support each other in being Christ’s witness to the world? How can we as His church bring His Light into the world around us? Do we believe we have something to offer this self-sufficient Ireland we live in? So, in answering this question, I have asked a few more…

I’ll take my concerns of the past 10 years and turn them into potential for the future. This country is facing many challenges and the world is changing rapidly and dramatically.

People need firm foundations and a hope for the future. Many societal and personal challenges face us. Political systems are fragile and weak. Economics are benefiting the few and seriously harming the poorest. It’s time to get our walking shoes on and step out into society, bringing the love of God in word and deed; speaking truth and wisdom to the decision makers and building the capacity of the church to be a beacon of light.

Some final highlights include the emergence of a seekerfriendly/faith-friendly mainstream Christian radio station, Spirit Radio, the reinvigoration of Evangelical Alliance Ireland and its contributions to local churches and parishes across Ireland as well as its influence in the nation, the work of Tearfund Ireland impacting so many lives and communities and finally, a Christian ‘publication’ tool that survives on a shoe-string budget and brings stories of all the Lord is doing in His church across this nation - VOX Magazine.

Happy 10th Birthday VOX Magazine and thank you for your hard work, efforts and good humour in bringing us stories of encouragement, challenge and inspiration from across Ireland!

HOW CAN WE COME TOGETHER TO ENCOURAGE, BLESS AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER IN BEING CHRIST’S WITNESS TO THE WORLD?

VOX MAGAZINE

L

ucy Hill from 24/7 Prayer Ireland considers the highlights and challenges of the last decade.

HIGHLIGHTS

Over the past 10 years, 24/7 Prayer Ireland has had the privilege of partnering across the denominations to see the church invigorated with prayer from individual prayer rooms in local churches, to whole denominations praying for a year at a time. The Thy Kingdom Come Initiative, in partnership with the Archbishop of Canterbury, saw thousands gathering to pray North and South at Pentecost, asking God for a fresh move of His Holy Spirit throughout Ireland. We have also seen prayer spaces in schools developing across the whole island, from Cork to Coleraine, where many young people have been encountering God. It has been so encouraging for us to witness a deepening desire to place prayer front and centre in all we do, and a blurring of the denominational lines to see a much more united vision for prayer in our nation. There is a sense that there is a growing network of people around the land who are praying with ‘one heart and one mind’ to see God’s kingdom come.

CONCERNS

The more we pray the more aware we become of the reasons we need to pray!

In a rapidly changing cultural, social and spiritual landscape in Ireland, prayer has become more important than ever and yet we still encounter

THERE IS A SENSE THAT THERE IS A GROWING NETWORK OF PEOPLE AROUND THE LAND WHO ARE PRAYING WITH ‘ONE HEART AND ONE MIND’ TO SEE GOD’S KINGDOM COME. so much apathy in relation to praying.

There are so many challenges to re-prioritising prayer in the life of the church.

The late Eugene Peterson poses the question, “Are we going to live this life from our knees imaginatively and personally? Or are we going to live it conventionally and second-hand?” Perhaps this is ultimately the biggest challenge; a lack of imagination, for without consistent and persistent prayer, we lose sight of what is possible when we partner with God in prayer.

Most notable has been the lack of engagement with young people, who we believe are hungry for faith, spirituality and God but find the church so irrelevant. This, coupled with the many challenges facing young people today, is leading to a rise in mental health issues and high rates of suicide. There is a sense that we need to stand in the gap for an entire generation.

The dream is to see a generation with faces set towards the Lord, hearts seeking with resolve the face of God, lives lived in His presence. The dream is too big, too bold and exactly as it

should be. Because our God is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO THE IRISH CHURCH? God is longing for our nation to call him Father. Jeremiah 3:19 says, “I myself said, ‘How gladly would I treat you like my children and give you a pleasant land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.’ I thought you would call me ‘Father’ and not turn away from following me.”

His deepest desire is that we would turn to Him again as a people. Let us be a people of prayer not for prayer’s sake but for Jesus’ sake! And so that we can truly live as sons and daughters of the Father.

In times, when it’s easy to get caught in a sort of tunnel vision, struggling to see the wood for the trees, aware of all you’re contending for and with, it is so good to realise the prevailing, unfolding God-narrative all around us. Each and every story plays a significant part. And as we turn our hearts toward the Lord, as we seek His face and pray, He hears and responds.

He is here. And He is moving.

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A

manda O’Shea is the National Alpha Youth Coordinator for Ireland. She reflects on the incredible growth of Alpha in Ireland over the last decade.

HIGHLIGHTS

The past ten years have been really exciting for Alpha Ireland. One of our highlights has been the development of the Alpha Youth Team. In 2009, a small committee was formed to explore the potential of running Alpha in Irish schools. I joined this committee as I was already successfully running it in one Irish school, giving the talks live with a team of local youth leaders. Alpha Ireland, in partnership with Scripture Union, hired its first Alpha Youth National Coordinator, Jonny Somerville, in 2011.

In January 2014, Alpha Youth launched its first ever Youth Film Series after which, Alpha Youth really exploded because it was much more reproducible. Now, an average of 2,500 young people experienced Alpha Youth every year, either in their school or their local parish, due to the amazing partnership between local youth leaders and parish pastoral workers and our nine amazing Alpha Youth Staff spread across the country.

There are so many stories I could tell you about the individual impact of Alpha Youth, but I will try with just one from this student: “I was bullied. I suffered depression. I had selfharmed. Life was horrible for me and at that point I turned to Jesus.

I prayed at night, crying endlessly, restless and hurt. But I never got an answer…I joined an Alpha and I can’t believe it. I am as alive as I’ve ever been. My faith changed. My life changed. I changed.”

In 2017, Alpha Ireland brought over Fr. James Mallon from Canada to speak about how he transformed his parish using Alpha. He spoke to over 200 Catholic Priests, Bishops and Parish Workers in Dublin and another 80 in Cork. The response was overwhelming and we are seeing an amazing uptake by the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland in their desire to run Alpha and see their parish transformed. We are currently working with one Bishop who wants to see Alpha run in seven different parts within his diocese by the end of 2019.

Finally, in January 2018, in collaboration with Scripture Union, Innovista Ireland, Youth For Christ, Church of Ireland Youth, Christ in Youth, Catholic Youth Ireland and others, we launched “Momentum” a gathering over three days in January working towards a momentum of youth ministry and

AN AVERAGE OF 2,500 YOUNG PEOPLE EXPERIENCED ALPHA YOUTH EVERY YEAR.

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evangelisation all over Ireland that will be a genuine grassroots youth-focused movement inviting and calling many thousands of young people back to the family of faith. 50 Catholic and 50 Protestant Youth Workers gathered for the inaugural gathering.

CONCERNS

I’m concerned about the rapid movement in society towards the irrelevance of God combined with the way social media continues to isolate and propagate mental illness. Building community by creating accessible bridges between church and society is essential. We as the church can no longer ignore our responsibility to facilitate open dialogue with people who have been hurt by the church, who disagree with our values and who are desperate for community.

The steady decline and alienation of family is also a concern. We must intentionally re-think our “programmes” and ask ourselves if we are contributing to the re-establishment of the family.

We need to start talking about “What is family?” for those who have immigrated here and have no “family”. How are we addressing this growing population in Ireland of people who are seeking a place at our dinner table but are not receiving an invitation. Not to mention those who are sick, homeless, orphaned, or addicted. A very real shift in culture is needed because of how we ignore this, largely due to how we believe “Ireland to be the most hospitable place on earth”. But in reality this only goes as far as the local pub, church or community group and never really enters our homes.

Mental health issues, specifically anxiety and depression, have become an epidemic in Ireland.

And while I see the HSE and Private Agencies working to alleviate this crisis, it isn’t enough. We have an amazing opportunity to create and be a “safe place” for people. We will need to work to not get overwhelmed by the magnitude of both the problem nationally or the individual’s problems but instead begin to live incarnationally and be willing to “sit” without judgement and sometimes without answers, but allow our presence to bring healing.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO THE IRISH CHURCH?

We need to stop seeing people as an agenda or as someone to help our own agenda and start seeing people the way Jesus does, as people who are deeply loved by our Father God, uniquely created with beautiful hearts and minds. We need to listen to each other, learn from each other and begin to create a society of “us” instead of “them”.

Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

VOX MAGAZINE

O

ne of the earliest VOX interviews was with David Turner from Irish charity, Church in Chains. As a publication, we’ve been delighted to work in partnership with this vital ministry ever since, highlighting the plight of persecuted Christians around the world.

Here David looks back at the highs and lows of the last 10 years of campaigning.

HIGHLIGHTS

There has been growing interest in supporting the persecuted church among Irish Christians and the ministry of Church in Chains has also grown, with increasing influence among politicians and government officials. The opportunity to bring fine advocates for the persecuted such as Helen Berhane (Eritrea), Bob Fu (China), Sam Yeghnazar

(Iran) and Shibu Thomas (India) to Ireland was a particular highlight.

CONCERNS

The spread of radical Islam, with extreme violence against Christians in Iraq, Syria, Nigeria, Egypt, Pakistan and other countries. The exodus of Christians from the Middle East. The unchecked rise of Hindu extremist attacks on Indian Christians and the tightening of government control of the church in China.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO THE IRISH CHURCH?

Thank God for your freedom but use it to support your brothers and sisters who daily live under persecution of various forms in so many countries around the world. Find out more at www.churchinchains.ie

THANK GOD FOR YOUR FREEDOM BUT USE IT TO SUPPORT YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO DAILY LIVE UNDER PERSECUTION.

R

ob Clarke looks back at a decade which brought Spirit Radio to the airwaves.

HIGHLIGHTS

At 12 midday on January 27, 2011 Spirit Radio launched. We were conscious that many people had prayed, worked and given generously over many years to bring Christian radio to the Irish airwaves. It’s been a privilege and a thrill to work with the station over the last eight years. We’ve had the support and friendship of church leaders from a broad range of churches. People often tell us they’ve discovered more about the wider Christian community through the station.

I have been especially encouraged to see Christians from different backgrounds working together to uphold the sanctity of human life, witnessing to the beauty of Christian marriage and collaborating on projects such as Street Pastors.

CONCERNS

I believe that many people across Ireland today are like Nicodemus.

They sense that Jesus holds the key to life. They are watching and waiting for an opportunity to explore the Gospel message. Our challenge is to find a way to communicate the Good News of the Gospel in a language that is accessible – whilst at the same time being true to the reality that the Gospel is always an affront, always counter cultural, always foolishness to the powerful and the proud. Jesus mastered the art of communicating in a way that spoke to the longings, fears, hopes and aspirations of people and yet He was always ready to challenge them to take the radical option to turn away from sin and follow Him. He was always about Grace and Truth. Our concern, our challenge is to create radio programming that is full of Grace and Truth. And this is a challenge that we all face in our different spheres.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO THE IRISH CHURCH? Jesus was asked which commandment was the greatest. He responded by giving two, ‘Love the Lord God with all your heart, mind and strength and Love

your neighbour as yourself’. There is a clear linkage. We show our love for God, who we can’t see, by how much we love our neighbour, who we can see. It is when people experience our genuine commitment to their welfare that trust grows. This is the second part of the great commandment in action.

In the coming years, we may find our faith puts us increasingly at odds with the world around us. In this context, may we learn afresh what it means to love God with all our hearts, minds and strength – and that is the first part of the great commandment.

OUR CHALLENGE IS TO CREATE RADIO PROGRAMMING THAT IS FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH.

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REALITY

Encountering heartbreak and hope among refugees Irish leaders learn from the Church in Lebanon and Syria

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n October 2018, a group of Irish Christian leaders travelled to Lebanon to see for themselves how Tearfund Ireland is supporting the local church in bringing help and hope to thousands of refugees. Here, three leaders reflect on their experiences.

Lucy Hill, Church Leader and Tearfund Ireland Board Member writes: Most of us remember back in 2015, when the headlines were dominated by harrowing images of refugees fleeing Syria, trying to escape the civil war. Many of us were moved to respond, to pray and to ask, “What can we do?” In 2018, seven years after it began, the war in Syria hasn’t ended. There are still refugees leaving Syria every single day. Yet [the crisis] no longer features in our news.

When I was invited to join a team from Tearfund Ireland to visit Lebanon, I jumped at the chance. I was totally

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unaware of the scale of the issue in Lebanon. There are officially 5.6 million Syrian refugees worldwide and over 1.5 million of them are in Lebanon. Syrian refugees make up 1/4 of the population in a country roughly seven times smaller than Ireland.

There are so many challenges facing refugees - poor living conditions, access to education, to medical care, to income, the additional risks of the Lebanese winter, lack of food, children as young as nine being sent out to work and girls as young 14 being forced to marry. As we spent time with families, listening to their stories, what was most striking was not just their current living conditions or quality of life but what many of them had endured to get to where they were.

The fact that many expressed gratitude at being ‘here’ rather than ‘there’ gives you a sense of how bad their circumstances were in Syria.

Perhaps most difficult is the dissipation of hope - the likelihood of being able to return to Syria is diminishing and opportunities in their current situation are few and far between. One man said that his sons had no future. It is an understatement to say that life is hard for refugees.

This could be the end of the story and the reality is that for many Syrians it is, but what we also witnessed in Lebanon was incredible light shining in the darkness. What we saw time and time again is that God is writing a different story through His Church.

MERATH - Middle East Revive and Thrive is the development and relief arm of The Lebanese Society for Educational and Social Development. MERATH has been working alongside the local church in Lebanon and Syria to mobilise and equip them to respond to the refugee crisis. Despite limited resources, the

VOX MAGAZINE

MAY IT NOT TAKE A CRISIS OF THE SAME MAGNITUDE FOR THE CHURCH IN IRELAND TO WAKEN UP TO ITS CALL TO BE THE HANDS AND FEET OF JESUS TO THOSE IN NEED AROUND US. work is innovative, creative and of the highest standard.

As a result of the sheer number of people coming to Lebanon, the Lebanese church has been forced to wake up!

One of our hosts told us, “The crisis has forced the church in Lebanon to stop looking at itself. We were not a church that was highly mobilised or engaged in mission prior to the crisis, but the need on our doorstep has caused us to completely relearn our understanding of the Gospel.”

Initially, when the refugees started coming, many Christians didn’t want to help. The history between Syria and Lebanon is complex and involves violence, pain and animosity. For those directly impacted, the idea of helping Syrians was particularly challenging.

We heard many speak of how the Holy Spirit moved them and changed their hearts to practise loving their enemies and we saw first-hand how this practice is changing lives.

The response has included providing vulnerable households vital food assistance, needed winter items, health services, and essential products for families, especially those with young children. They are working to provide high-quality non-formal education and psycho-social support to vulnerable children. We also saw how they are working towards a sustainable future through income-generation and recovery programmes.

It’s difficult to articulate why this work is so special. For me, it is less about what is being done and more about the way in which the church is demonstrating love, restoring hope and preserving the dignity of people who have endured so much. One example that sums up the remarkable response is a congregation of around 300 people assisting 3,000 refugee families every month. These families are not just considered service users but are all visited every week, mostly by volunteers, taking the time to sit, to listen and to remind them that they are not just refugees but people. And God is powerfully at work in the lives of men,

women and children as many encounter the love and goodness of God. What can we learn from places like Lebanon? One of the great privileges was to spend time with a group of Syrian church leaders, who have chosen to remain in Syria. Listening to their stories, I realised that one of the greatest things we can offer is to pray faithfully for them and to take seriously the call to lament - that when one part of the body hurts, the whole body hurts.

One quote has returned to me over and over. In response to the care his community received, a Muslim elder said, “When we came to you, knowing who you were, we believed you would just preach at us but you have preached at us with your lives.”

May it not take a crisis of the same magnitude for the church in Ireland to waken up to its call to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need around us.

Susan Heaney, Redcross, Co. Wicklow writes: I had the privilege of being part of the team of church leaders on a trip with Tearfund Ireland to Lebanon.

Our trip was short, just five full days, but I can honestly say it was the most humbling, harrowing and yet inspiring experience I have ever had.

We saw first-hand the work being done by the local church, to love and help Syrian refugees. We heard of miracle after miracle of healing and salvation among men, women and children [from a Muslim background], and saw Lebanese Christians minister compassion, hope, grace and relief in the most desperate circumstances. We saw people who had come through unimaginable trauma, alive with the hope of Christ, being loved by the body of Christ.

During our visit, we had the honour of spending time with some Syrian pastors who have faithfully and courageously remained in Syria throughout the crisis. These pastors are the heroes of the Church. In the words of Tearfund Ireland’s partner, “The church in Syria is shining”.

These pastors had a message to us,

the church in Ireland. “Don’t think of the small thing you have in your hand but let us all put all we have into Christ’s hands. Be at His feet, ask Him to help and trust that God will do great things.”

Sharan Kelly, Tearfund Ireland CEO adds, I’ve had the great privilege of visiting many projects that Tearfund Ireland supports. Each project brings a common theme. But that theme is not poverty, suffering and injustice. The common theme is the love of the church and the practical ways they are bringing Jesus to people around them who are in great need.

For the trip to Syria we invited church leaders, representatives and supporters from the Irish church to join us. We listened to Syrian pastors and ministers who remained in Syria during the worst kind of conflict, despite the personal risk to themselves and their families because they felt called by the Lord to love and support the people there. I’d quite honestly have packed my bags, taken family and fled to Europe…

We met the lovely, humble and gentle Muslim families who were living in one room ‘tents’ and ‘concrete walled’ rooms. Their love, welcome and humility towards us was quite overwhelming.

Everyone we met wanted to be back in Syria. They all had lives, homes, careers, businesses, communities and a future, and it was ripped from them.

But hope remains. So many of those we met are full of heartfelt gratitude for the church. Hope is being restored.

Local churches are providing love and support, prayer and practical help with food, education, health services, washing facilities and so much more. We heard stories of Muslim people praying to Jesus because they know He will answer; the answers to prayer they are experiencing; the daughter of a Muslim religious leader who is walking with Jesus and the church that is filled to capacity every Sunday…

This is what Tearfund Ireland is supporting through the generosity of all our supporters in Ireland.

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FAITH

What is God doing in the Catholic Church in Ireland?

BY PADDY MONAGHAN

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reland remains (in name) a Catholic nation. But what is God doing in the Roman Catholic church?

VOX magazine asked Paddy Monaghan, as a representative of the Evangelical Catholic Initiative, to share his thoughts. Paddy identified seven areas where he believes God is at work.

Two individuals from Ireland and Northern Ireland also share their stories of their encounters with Jesus.

A NEW HUMILITY

The effect of the sex scandals has been devastating, contributing to the defeats in the last two referenda.

My prayer has been, “Lord, don’t let any of this muck within the Roman Catholic church (RC) stay hidden.”

Cancer has to be exposed before it can be dealt with.

Over the past 10 years a new humility has become tangible. This was typified by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin holding a Liturgy of Lament and Repentance in the Pro Cathedral in Dublin in 2011.

Abuse survivors played a major role in formulating the liturgy. All of the clerical abuse survivor groups that were contacted graciously contributed their input, although a few said they just couldn’t forgive and wouldn’t take part in the actual liturgy.

We took inspiration from Fr. Peter Hocken’s writing on Representational Repentance as seen in the prayer of Nehemiah: “I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you.” (Nehemiah. 1:5-7)

OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS A NEW HUMILITY HAS BECOME TANGIBLE.

IRELAND IS MISSION TERRITORY

Since the last two Referenda there is a new realisation that Ireland is now mission territory and that 32

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the RC is a minority church. Bishop Noel Treanor (Antrim) has suggested that the Church would likely see, “the emergence of new models of ministry and pastoral care… It is probable that in a more secular and pluralist society we … will realise more clearly that the Christian way of life is a freely chosen discipleship of Christ in ever renewed conversion to the living Word of God.”

ECI RELAUNCH

The Evangelical Catholic Initiative was launched in 1990 with its key document, “What is an Evangelical Catholic?” It sets out what a born-again Christian in the RC believes. Its purpose was to promote revival in RC, build bridges with Protestant and Pentecostal evangelicals and foster reconciliation between Messianic Jews and Gentile Christians. In the wake of the Same Sex Marriage Referendum, the Lord clearly impressed on me to relaunch ECI, which had been dormant for some time. Resources on our website (evancat.org) include “How you can get to know Jesus” and “Why you need to read the Bible”.

PENTECOSTALS AND ROMAN CATHOLICS

There has been a fruitful dialogue between RC and Pentecostals since 1972. While there are significant differences, areas of convergence include: Bible: Pentecostals and Catholics, along with other Christians, acknowledge the uniqueness of the Bible as the inspired and authoritative Word of God, normative for the faith and life of the church.

Conversion: RC and Pentecostals both agree that conversion is essential to salvation in Christ.

Discipleship: there is a good measure of convergence in our understanding of discipleship.

The Holy Spirit: To be baptised with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5) is seen as a gift of God rooted in Jesus’ own promise of Acts 1:8 and Peter’s claim in Acts 2:38-39. The most fundamental convergence is the common conviction that baptism in the Holy

VOX MAGAZINE

Spirit is a powerful action of grace bestowed by God upon believers within the church.

NEW MINISTRIES EMERGE IN IRELAND

Each of these ministries are seeing good success in using creative ways of sharing the Gospel with our young people: Over the last seven years, the Alpha Youth Initiative, with eight staff, (run by Alpha Ireland in partnership with Scripture Union) has had over 9,000 pupils, mainly 16-year-olds, doing the Alpha Course.

The course is run in school time, mainly in transition year. In 2017, 78 Alpha Youth courses were run by 103 trained volunteers in 31 Secondary Schools, involving 2,000 students. (www.alphayouth.ie) Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin has officially commended Alpha as an evangelistic tool for young people, saying “We believe that our diocese, our culture and especially our young people need to know Jesus Christ.”

Youth Initiatives aims to awaken hope, inspire initiative, and mobilise youth to make a vital contribution to their community. It has 41 young staff (www.youthinitiativesni.com) and is based in Belfast, Banbridge, Lisburn, Derry and Downpatrick NET has seven teams of young people (46 missionaries and 22 staff), mainly from America and Canada, serving round the country. (www.netministries.ie) An Tobar Nua has a staff of 26 and outreach teams in Munster and Leinster, as well as in their home base in Galway. (www.antobarnua.com) Scripture Union has 16 staff. In 2017, over 6000 young people attended camps and retreats in their activity centre outside Avoca Village, Wicklow. (www. scriptureunion.ie)

REVIVED CATHOLIC PARISHES

A key challenge remains of connecting young teenagers with the local parish after doing Alpha,

as few Catholic parishes in Ireland have fulltime youth ministers. One which has a youth worker, Dunshaughlin in County Meath, is using Alpha Youth for Confirmation students and running an Alpha for their parents.

Two particularly inspiring renewed Catholic parishes, in the US (www.churchnativity.com) and in Canada (www.saintbenedict.ca), have moved their parishes from maintenance to mission, the latter using Alpha.

JEWISH ROOTS AND UNITY IN THE BODY

There has been an amazing move of the Holy Spirit among Jewish people in the past 40 years. There is now a Messianic Jewish Congregation in every town in Israel. The emergence of the Messianic Jewish Church has had a big influence on RC, with an MJ/RC international dialogue held annually for the past 15 years, rotating its location between Jerusalem and Rome. There is a rediscovery of the Jewish Roots of Christianity happening within RC, with major implications for unity.

I believe all seven of these are activities of the Holy Spirit preparing the way for revival in Ireland. In spite of the clerical abuse scandal and the falling away of so many from the faith, Ireland may again fulfil its destiny to be a light to the nations. Come Lord Jesus!

WE BELIEVE THAT OUR DIOCESE, OUR CULTURE AND ESPECIALLY OUR YOUNG PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST.”

Paddy Monaghan works as a Catholic Lay Missionary, part time with Alpha Ireland and part time with Evangelical Catholic Initiative (www.evancat.org).

He serves on the Parish Council of Johnstown/Killiney Parish in South Dublin.

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Jim’s Story JIM DONNAN IS GENERAL DIRECTOR OF SCRIPTURE UNION IRELAND

MY

image of God, growing up in a Catholic home, was of a distant God. I had a tremendous sense of sin and saw God as a taskmaster who was there to punish me. In essence, I feared God and my goal was to earn His favour by doing good, in the hope that I might accumulate enough credit to get into Heaven. Despite all this, there was a genuine respect for God in our home and I had a strong desire to serve Him, at one time contemplating entering the priesthood.

When I was 16, I travelled to Scotland with a small team and spent a week in a deprived tenement area of inner-city Glasgow. Our task was to work in pairs and to knock on doors, inviting people to talk about God. One dear old lady, Louisa, lived alone in a cold bedsit flat but warmly welcomed us in and kindly gave us tea.

She began to explain how she too was a missionary, but, as she spoke about Jesus her Saviour, there was a real sense that she knew Him personally, as if He was a real living person. She shared her faith in and love for Jesus in such a simple way, assuring us of her prayers. This amazing encounter was, in time, to totally change my life.

I left Glasgow with a greater desire to serve God. On leaving school, a group of around 20 school friends met regularly each Saturday to visit the old folks in Cork Street, Dublin. One afternoon, one of the lads explained how he had met a girl in Grafton Street who told him how much Jesus loved him and pointed out his need for salvation. Ray’s attitude and character began to change and he wore out the pages of his New Testament with constant reading. He began to witness to the group. Some were quickly persuaded; others, like me, resisted. But gradually, one by one, all the group committed their lives to Christ.

I strenuously resisted the invitations to follow suit, despite the obvious change in the lives of my friends. However, I felt convicted of my need for Christ and when my girlfriend, Barbara, now my wife, came into a personal experience of the Lord, I poured out my heart to God. I simply knelt at my bedside, beseeching God to sort out and take control of my life. I asked for His mercy and forgiveness and invited Him into my life.

There was no ‘Damascus Road’ experience, but a

WHILE MOST OF MY FRIENDS STARTED ATTENDING VARIOUS FELLOWSHIPS AND SUBSEQUENTLY LEFT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, I SENSED A STRONG CALL TO REMAIN.

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great sense of peace invaded my life. I had a complete assurance that my sins were forgiven and experienced an immediate hunger for reading the Scriptures. I wept as I realised for the very first time that Jesus loved me personally.

While most of my friends started attending various fellowships and subsequently left the Catholic Church, I sensed a strong call to remain.

I started attending a charismatic prayer meeting in the Quaker Meeting House in Eustace Street.

It was an exciting time to be a young Christian as, week after week, the building was packed with over 700 people of all denominations who gathered to praise God and receive teaching.

We settled in Leixlip, Co. Kildare, and opened our home for a weekly prayer meeting. One summer, while on holiday, we heard of an evangelical Christian group running a Bible Club. We were immediately impressed by the interest and enthusiasm of the children for the well-illustrated Bible stories and began to think, ‘Could God do this in our parish?’ With absolutely no experience, we explored the possibility of running such a club in a Catholic parish. Our incentive and inspiration came from Acts 14:27, which speaks of how God opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

The parish priest gave his permission. All we needed were the materials and some helpers. In another remarkable way, God brought me in contact with Scripture Union. Through the Scripture Union Family Weeks in Ovoca Manor, and elsewhere, my two children would have their lives changed. SU was remarkably helpful and supportive and provided us with good Sunday School material. Two of our friends kindly offered to help and soon the ‘Good News Club’ developed, with some weekly attendances exceeding 70 children. It continued for about six years.

Along the way, I developed a friendship with Paddy Monaghan, which eventually led to the establishment of the Evangelical Catholic Initiative (ECI). This small group of Catholic Christians has been a real source of encouragement and fellowship.

After 27 years working with Dublin City Council, in 1999 God called me to give up my job and become General Director of Scripture Union.

While still involved in the Catholic Church, God has sent Christians from many denominations to enrich and support my relationship with Him. This has strengthened my conviction that there is only ‘one Lord, one faith, one body’. To Him alone be the glory!

VOX MAGAZINE

Niall’s Story

NIALL MCNALLY IS THE DIRECTOR OF CAST MINISTRIES IN NORTHERN IRELAND

I’M

the youngest of six children, the product of a Republican family in Nationalist West Belfast.

I dutifully went to mass on Sundays and when I left school at 16, I had never met a Protestant.

To my community they were the “other side”, Bible bashers in cahoots with a government and a police force that weren’t to be trusted. “They” didn’t like “us” and the sentiment was mutual.

By the time I was 18, I was despondent, I’d left school with no qualifications, I didn’t believe in God, violence in Northern Ireland was common place, my family was unravelling and to cope, my behaviour became increasingly reckless.

Hopelessly insecure, I began losing myself in alcohol and sex. One day a friend invited me to a Youth Mission in our parish – it was the last place I wanted to be but he badgered me to keep him company. Eventually I gave in – anything for a quiet life! I was stunned when we arrived at the church and there were 500 teenagers crammed in with a band set up on the altar.

You have to understand – drums and electric guitars on the altar in the 80s when folk music was considered “edgy” was simply unheard of.

The team of people who had come together to lead the Youth Mission were Catholics and Protestants and together they were singing worship songs, doing dramas and telling their personal stories of their relationship with Jesus.

It was mind blowing. I freaked! These people actually believed that God was real, that Jesus could be encountered and that the Holy Spirit was present. I wanted out of that building and away from those people, their conviction was unnerving. But I couldn’t escape and suffered through the evening wrestling with my fears.

I didn’t like what they were doing but they had a confidence, a peace and a security that I craved. Several weeks later, I was invited to

a prayer gathering of Catholic and Protestant men in East Belfast, I went. I had never been in a room where men sang praise songs and worshipped Jesus with such freedom, confidence and passion. I just knew they felt loved and accepted and I yearned for what they had.

Without warning the room fell deathly quiet, a sense of calm enveloped me and I was conscious of feeling overwhelmed by love. I was acutely conscious that someone was with me. The person everyone was singing to, the person I’d rejected in loneliness, pain and frustration years before - Jesus was here, He knew me and He understood me. All the barriers I’d erected to protect myself fell right there in that room.

I was aware of both my shame and His all accepting love. I sat in that place filled with a love that surpassed my deepest longings, surrounded by 150 Catholic and Protestant men, yet completely unaware of them. It was the beginning of the most beautiful relationship I have ever known.

My journey is one I could never have anticipated. By the grace of God, I was richly blessed by men and women from different churches who, in obedience to the Lord responded to His prayer “That all of them may be one” John 17: 21. They moved beyond their comfort zones and took an unlikely opportunity to minister together in a church in West Belfast. They taught me that, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 and if we are to be transformed into the likeness of Christ then we must do that also.

JESUS WAS HERE, HE KNEW ME AND HE UNDERSTOOD ME.

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Scripture Union Ireland are seeking to recruit a

National Leader Do you have...

• The Calling of God and a heart to reach the Irish young people with the life changing message of Jesus Christ.

• The necessary leadership and management experience to inspire a diverse

team of staff and volunteers to strive for excellence in mission with over 6,000 children and young people annually.

• The ability to work collaboratively in an ecumenical and interdenominational

context to build networks with compatible Christian agencies and Churches.

• A high level of interpersonal skills, and are an effective communicator with excellent organisational skills.

• The ability to think strategically and bring creativity & innovation to this role to ensure that the mission and ministry of Scripture Union will flourish and bear fruit into the future.

Email your expression of interest and CV to Scripture Union Ireland by Friday 28th February 2019 Email: recruitment@scriptureunion.ie If successful, you will be invited to submit a formal job application and receive more information on the role. The summary Terms and Conditions of the National Leader role will be made available.

www.scriptureunion.ie 36

VOX.IE JAN - MAR 2019

LIFE

VOX MAGAZINE

New Year, His Way Enjoy the first of our new series on nutrition and faith with nutritionist Linda de Courcy.

I

t’s that time of year again. We’re feeling inspired (or guilted) into making changes; promising ourselves we’ll exercise more, lose weight, get to bed earlier, be more patient, etc. There are articles, vlogs and 21st Century technologies on hand to count our steps, calories and heart rate. Yet, as most of us have figured out, they’re not the answer we’ve been looking for.

Jesus gave us the key to success in every endeavour of life, including health (mental as well as physical), in Matthew 6:33: to seek His kingdom first.

This is His way of doing and being right, then (when we stop worrying about what to eat, drink and wear) everything we need will be added to us.

Psalm 18 is pretty clear, “Lord, you have brought light to my life, my God, you light up my darkness. In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. As for God, His way is perfect, all the Lord’s promises prove true” (v 28-30 NLT). God has a perfect way, and He wants to light up areas in our lives that are dark, where we’ve tried and failed to change unhealthy habits. The biggest challenge is resisting the pressure to try doing everything in our own strength, rather than His way, and looking to society for the latest 10-step programme to get us there.

So what if, in 2019, we shifted our focus away from our way and tuned into His perfect way? So, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you keep on following it, you will perish. But if through the power of the Holy Spirit you turn from it and its evil deeds, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God (Romans 8:12-14 NLT).

Do you want to be led by the Spirit of God in your eating and exercise habits? “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life— your sleeping, eating, going-to-work and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.

Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you and quickly respond to it” (Romans 12:1 MSG).

This is how we get Him involved: do you need to lose weight? Place your eating habits before God as an offering. Do you need to get fit? Place your walking (cycling, swimming etc.) before God as an offering.

Do you need to spend more time reading God’s Word?

Place your social media time before God as an offering.

This is His way of doing and being right, and it supersedes the world’s way. Speaking these Scriptures out and thinking about them during the day will empower us to stay committed to His way. And when you do fall off the wagon (His way), let Him help you back (before you eat that whole tin of biscuits…) and keep you on track.

Have a healthy His way 2019!!

DO YOU WANT TO BE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN YOUR EATING AND EXERCISE HABITS?

Linda de Courcy MSc., is a Dublin based nutritional therapist and certified pilates instructor who is passionate about empowering people to take control of their health. For more information or to contact Linda visit her website at www.nutritionforlifeireland.com

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An Invitation to be part of God’s work in Nepal “He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted…” Isaiah 61 vs 1

Imagine going blind.

Imagine being thrown out of your house.

Imagine living on a riverbank…

Imagine strangers taking you in, giving you a home, a life, a dignity, when no one else would.

That’s what happened to Bal Kumari, an elderly lady rejected by her family when they discovered she had leprosy, until Nepal Leprosy Trust (NLT) stepped in with Jesus’ love.

Dr Krishna chats with Bal Kumari at Lalgadh hospital.

NLT brings the gospel to some of the poorest and most marginalised people in the world: those affected by leprosy in Nepal.

Thousands have been given medical care and empowered through our hospital and community work. NLT’s ground breaking approach brings the love of Jesus by helping the most rejected to become the most respected in their communities.

The church in Lalgadh, Nepal, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Would you, or your church, like to support NLT’s work, which has received international acclaim?

If you would like to support or find out more about this pioneering charity, please contact Vera at info@nlt.ie or phone 086 2584367.

Nepal Leprosy Trust Ireland, Irish Registered Charity No. 14810. Registered Address: Killeline, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick, V42 Y220

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FAITH

VOX MAGAZINE

Christianity&Economics Part One: What has the Bible got to say about economics?

BY AARON HANSON

‘The whole of life is about taking something cheap and selling it expensive; that’s how the world works.’

– anonymous careers advisor

T

heology and economics are two subjects most Christians would not typically connect with one another. The economy is typically seen as the province of technocrats and businessmen whose ultimate concern is ‘the bottom line’ and ‘hard facts’, and who rule a world where Biblical wisdom would seem out of place – rather like a well-behaved child lecturing their parents on how to manage the family finances.

Yet the Bible has a great deal to say on the subject of how goods and services are produced, distributed, and consumed (a rudimentary definition of ‘economic activity’) and everyone can learn a great deal from what it has to say. From the Creation account itself to Jesus’s parable of the rich fool, all sorts of subjects are covered, such as fair wages, lending, and the treatment of animals. Moreover, many of the injustices which rightly anger us all are unavoidably economic in nature, and if we are outraged by the existence of modern slavery or lavish bankers’ bonuses, how much more should we expect God to care? God, who knows when one sparrow falls to the ground? Whose Son worked as a carpenter and knew what it was to have no place to lay His head?

This is the first of four articles intended to help Christians think about the economy from a Christian perspective, by way of setting out some of the Biblical principles which should inform economic decision-making and applying these principles to key economic challenges. Throughout, we do not seek to establish that God is a capitalist or a communist but instead that He is a radical change-bringer, seeking to transform both individuals’ hearts and societal patterns of behaviour. God’s purpose for economic activity may be encapsulated by the moving words of Jesus: “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full” (John10:10).

This is a very different view from that of the introductory quotation, which perhaps describes how we, all too often, tend to view life. To think that God only cares about what we do on Sunday – and not how we spend the bulk of our waking hours from Monday to Friday – is to fall into the same trap as the ancient Israelites and the Pharisees, whom the prophets and Jesus chastened for neglecting ‘the weightier matters of the law’, (Matthew 23:23) for praising God with their mouths and not with their deeds (Matthew 15:7-9).

We may split Biblical wisdom concerning the economy into two broad categories: justice and personal priorities. As regards justice, any cursory reader of both Testaments should be familiar with the repeated admonishments to treat others fairly (for example, Zechariah 7:9-10).

“TO THINK THAT GOD ONLY CARES ABOUT WHAT WE DO ON SUNDAY – AND NOT HOW WE SPEND THE BULK OF OUR WAKING HOURS FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY – IS TO FALL INTO THE SAME TRAP AS THE ANCIENT ISRAELITES AND THE PHARISEES.”

Regarding priorities, there is again a whole host of quotations which can be summarised by Jesus’ words: ‘Life is more than food … and clothing’ (Luke 12:23). In other words, as Christians, it is our duty to keep our priorities firmly directed towards those things of eternal significance. This does not mean we should not concern ourselves with the mundane matters of everyday life. Food and clothing are part of life but their role is best conceived of as facilitating or secondary: they are there to contribute to a greater and richer whole, like the humble foundations of a great building. To behave as if man does live by bread alone (Matthew 4:4) - as if life essentially revolves around material ‘stuff’ – is to put the cart before the horse.

This new series has been written by Aaron Hanson, with input from Jordan Maly-Preuss and Matt Williams. Aaron and Matt are founding directors of Jubilee, an agri-environmental organisation based in Larne, Co. Antrim.

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MUSIC

HomegrownBeats Exciting New Irish Albums being released

Ireland is home to great music, and over recent years there has been an explosion of musicians sharing their Christian faith through their songs and worship music. Here VOX magazine highlights three new Irish albums that are bringing faith to life. (These three albums are available across all major online music platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud and iTunes.)

FULLY ALIVE

OPEN ARMS KIDS Claire Afolabi is the Kids Pastor in Open Arms Church in Newbridge, Co. Kildare. She shared a little of her story and the inspiration behind the new album from Open Arms Kids.

I

’m married to Anthony and we have one son, Brayson. I started attending Open Arms in 2011 and just slipped in and out of services for about two years. I’d been working with children since 2008 so when I finally began to get plugged into church, I decided to volunteer in Kids Church in 2013. I got involved with kids camp that year and that’s when everything changed for me!

I encountered God in a very real way and my whole life changed!

From then, I began volunteering in Open Arms full time and in 2015, became a member of staff as the Kids Church Pastor. I’ve had a hunger to learn more about kids ministry and anything that I’ve learned I want to share!

For our Kids Camp in 2018, I looked up songs to fit our theme and they just didn’t suit what I was looking for. I was feeding my son a bottle and I just started to sing the chorus of Fully Alive. My husband is a guitarist so I asked him to help me to put music to it and finish the song and we did. It happened so naturally! We recorded the song for Kids Camp and used it there and the kids absolutely loved it. I was blown away by the response.

From then, I was continually inspired at random moments walking down the street, sitting at traffic lights, etc. I have many voice notes of song ideas on my phone! They blossomed into full songs and they are the five songs from the album! Our Kids Camp this year was music-themed and all the kids, in teams, wrote songs too; so it was the perfect opportunity to put them all together and make them available for everyone. That’s how Fully Alive was born!

It’s a modern, upbeat and fun album for kids.

I really want kids in Ireland to be able to listen to kids worship music, from Ireland, that sounds like something they would hear on the radio. Kids have so many outlets to listen to so many genres of music so making songs with a good vibe, a life giving message and a great beat is something that needs to happen to appeal to kids.

The feedback from parents on Fully Alive has been phenomenal.

Kids actually ask to play the songs. We need more of that… kids hearing songs in church that they want to listen to at home! Also, our churches need to be equipped with solid kids’ worship songs for services. We look all around the world for songs to use in our kids services but the reality is, the gifting and the talent is in our country, we just need to use it more. I am praying that this will be the first of many kids’ albums for us as a church and that more churches will use these songs or even make their own.

Lyric videos and dance motion videos will be on our Open Arms Kids YouTube channel in the New Year.

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SHELTER IN THE STORM MATT GUDEL

Matt moved from Switzerland to Dublin four years ago and is currently serving as a worship leader at Dublin Vineyard Church.

M

THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT BRENDAN HURTS

Brendan Chpweteka moved to Ireland from Malawi.

He uses his music to explore and share his Christian faith. Here he talks about his debut solo album.

M

y name is Brendan Chapweteka and I am a born-again Christian. I am also known by my stage name, Brendan Hurts - ‘Hurts’ is a direct translation of my surname from my native language, Chichewa.

I was born in Malawi and have lived in Ireland for six years. I work in IT and I am also a musician. I believe that God has called me to spread His Word through Christian rap. My music is based on my personal experiences as a young man trying to uphold the Word of God in a modern world.

My album is called The Secret of Contentment.

It is my first solo album and is inspired by Philippians 4:12-13. While meditating on these verses, I wrestled with the concept and ‘secret’ of being content in all situations - internally and externally, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want... In a world plagued with struggle and strife, how does one learn to be content? And how can contentment in the Lord be experienced in such trying times?

The Lord spoke to me and inspired the title of the album.

This experience took me on a journey of thoughts and meditations, which developed into an eight-track album comprised of stories, insights and experiences of a person trying to understand how to live a life of contentment, found in God and the person of Jesus Christ The album was recorded, mixed and mastered by producer Nemz at the Shedlabz studio in Dublin. All instrumentals were produced by Divine Sense of Bass & Truth Entertainment, Malawi.

y name is Matt Gudel and I am an upcoming Christian artist from Dublin.

Leading worship and song writing have been a part of my life for the last decade. I inherited this, spiritually, from my father, who was a successful and pioneering worship leader. I was immersed in music and worship for as long as I can remember.

My debut album, Shelter In The Storm features ten original pop/rock songs, nine of which are Christian worship songs. Shelter in the Storm reflects my experiences with God on my journey with Him in a very intimate way. Songs like I Depend on You and Nothing is Impossible talk about the possibilities and peace we gain when we fully and constantly place our trust in God. Ballads like Enough and Centre of My Heart are songs that express the love of Jesus and the importance of the cross; that what He did, defines who we are and that we can be renewed and restored through Him. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that God’s power shines most in our weaknesses. Even in our sin and our inadequacies, God can use us and perform the most significant wonders.

The song You Make Me Whole looks at a time when I felt alienated, unworthy and had many questions about my uncertain future. I think this is something that many people can relate to. In the midst of my unbelief, God’s Word proclaims that His promise of His strength and grace are enough for me to believe again.

The last piece on the album is a bonus track. I wrote this song I Won’t Let You Go in preparation for my cousin’s wedding, inspired by the love two people have for each other and promise to each other to keep this love even in the hard times. The song was initially performed at my cousin’s wedding and later played at my own wedding last year.

I have gone through several seasons in the last few years, especially after moving abroad, but regardless of the circumstances, Jesus has met me in my joy, excitement, need, frustration or sorrow.

His embrace and His abundant and powerful grace and blessing have guided me at all times. My experiences with Him give me hope and help me to know Him more. These experiences have now taken the form of lyrics and music on this album.

JAN - MAR 2019 VOX.IE

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Lent Prayer Project

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MUSIC REVIEWS

Every Table is an Altar BREAD AND WINE

Bread and Wine is a community for those pursuing deeper intimacy with God through worship, conversation and communion. Led

by Ben and Kelly Smith, Bread and Wine record albums with original songs and spontaneous moments. Their new album Every Table is an Altar is one of the most beautiful listening experiences I have had in quite a while. Ten tracks ranging in length from six to 11 minutes, this album allows the listener to really get into a time of deep personal worship.

In my opinion, good praise and worship songs have to meet four criteria; a melody that most people can sing, lyrics that are theologically sound, an arrangement that suits even the smallest church, but most importantly spirit and truth. This album meets all these criteria.

With a mixture of original songs and cover versions of songs by Jason Upton and Pat Barrett, this is the album for when you just want to step away from the noise of the day and spend some quality time with God.

Courage

STUART TOWNEND

Courage is Stuart Townend’s first studio album in four years. It is so good to see the Christian music veteran continuing to write songs that are congregation orientated. Stuart has a proven track record in this genre, having penned many of the worship songs that we sing in church such as In Christ Alone, How Deep the Father’s Love and King of Love. His latest album, Courage, is a collection of 12 thoughtful, uplifting and worshipful songs. There is a lovely folksy feel and a warm feeling of intimacy.

The album opens with an invitation to praise, How Good it is to Sing (Psalm 147), which blends Townend’s folk style vocals with a more contemporary sound.

The second track Still, My Soul Be Still, co-written with the Gettys, is a beautiful duet with Kaz Barnett that speaks

VOX MAGAZINE

encouragement and comfort in times of hardship.

I Am Here for You is a beautiful song.

In the live version, there is a spoken introduction by his daughter Emma, a powerful statement and one that we should all take note of as we consider the plight of those with mental health issues, and how slowly the church is responding to this 21st-century epidemic. In Emma’s words “There are Christians with mental health problems. There are people with depression, with schizophrenia, with anorexia, with PTSD… to name just a few.

And I’m one of those people, too! So, this song is an encouragement to walk beside one another, acknowledging that we are all broken in some form. And the way we are called to support and love one another is a reflection of how God loves and supports us.”

For me, the ultimate collaboration is with his brother Phil who shares vocals on the song Keep You Here, written about Phil’s impending death from cancer. It is the standout song on the album. Available at www.stuarttownend.co.uk and all streaming platforms.

Songs of Common Prayer GREG LAFOLLETTE

This is a new album by Greg LaFollette, a musician and producer from Nashville, TN. I must admit to never having heard of Greg and his music until introduced to it by Andrew Peterson who is my all-time favourite Christian singer/songwriter. When Andrew Peterson recommends, I never ignore.

This album is simple, understated and authentic. The vocals and harmonies are crystal clear. It is a short album.

Nine tracks with an average time of about 3.5 minutes each, what it lacks in duration it makes up for in quality. If you are looking for an album to inspire your prayer time then this is a prayer book in your ears. Songs of Common Prayer by Greg LaFollette is available from www. greglafollette.com and all streaming platforms.

The Belfast Symphony ROBIN MARK

is probably the most well-known Christian artist from this island.

His worship songs are at their most magnificent when sung in large gatherings. His new album is called The Belfast Symphony, and it is magnificent. With orchestral accompaniment by the New Irish Choir and Orchestra, and recorded before a live and enthusiastic audience, we get to hear these songs like never before. The album is like a catalogue of Robin Mark’s most popular and well-known songs and includes Revival, All for Jesus, Days of Elijah to mention but a few. This album will let you experience the power of his music and put you right there in the front row.

The New Kids Hymnal THE GETTYS

As a reviewer I like to try and find music that suits all ages and tastes. I don’t think, however, that I have ever reviewed an album suitable for children. The New Kids Hymnal by the Gettys is not just good, it is very good.

Unlike many albums aimed at children, this album oozes quality. There is nothing cheap or low budget about this recording.

The selection of traditional hymns and original Gettys’ songs are just perfect for the children’s voices. Most of the vocals are done by the Gettys’ kids ensemble but don’t let that be a put-off. There is nothing twee, cutesy or amateurish here. It is a professional and polished performance. I have no doubt whatsoever that this album is going to have a huge appeal worldwide too.

Albums reviewed by UCB Ireland Radio producer/presenter Vincent Hughes.

Listen to his programme 12-3pm Monday to Friday and 11am-3pm on Saturdays on Virgin Media Channel 918, on Sky Channel 0214 or via the smartphone app. You can contact Vincent at vhughes@ucbireland.ie | www.ucbireland.com.

Robin Mark has been writing songs and leading worship for decades and JAN - MAR 2019 VOX.IE

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WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND IRELAND?

EVENTS

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Summer Madness 28 June – 2 July Glenarm, Co. Antrim www.summermadness. co.uk

Summer Fire 21 - 28 June Trabolgan, Co. Cork www.summerfire conference.com

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European Leaders Alliance 29 - 31 July 2019 Bradford, UK www.ela2019.org

New Horizon 3 - 9 August 2019 Ulster University, Coleraine www.newhorizon.org.uk

Get people picking up VOX in your church!

Get in touch with us today if you would like a bundle of each issue of VOX delivered for your church, café, shop, school or workplace!

Contact jonny@vox.ie or 089 415 4507

BOOK REVIEWS

VOX MAGAZINE

Restored and Forgiven

Stand Against Injustice

I Want to be an Airline Pilot

Meeting Ray & Vi recently, I discovered that he’s from Cork and she’s a Londoner. Their ordinary family was turned upside down when their teenage son Chris died after an unprovoked gang attack. He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

They tell how they coped, and how, at times, they didn’t. They describe the attack, the investigation and court case, leading to three life sentences. Their relationship with Jesus and the support of their church were key to their survival.

But God asked them to forgive. After much preparation each time, they met his murderers. What transpired at those meetings is humbling to read.

This led them into Restorative Justice. They explain that the police and courts offer Retributive Justice, which asks what crime has been committed, who is to blame and what is the punishment. But the victim isn’t included.

The police were supportive but Ray and Vi were still onlookers, and in court not even witnesses.

‘Restorative Justice … is just two people in a room talking. Meeting the people who killed Chris was so positive and powerful for us. For the first time in years, we felt we had a voice. We were able to express our thoughts and feelings to the offenders and receive answers to questions that we were not able to ask in court.’

Ray and Vi now run prison programmes that show offenders that crimes always have victims. These change hearts and reduce re-offending.

They’ve even been awarded an MBE for their work.

Michelle, an ‘ordinary housewife’ in Ballincollig, was stunned to hear that her brother Barry had been arrested for the murder of BBC TV presenter, Jill Dando.

Michelle tells of travelling to England to support her mentally disabled brother, and having to repeatedly leave her husband and children. Worse was to follow, when Barry was convicted.

Knowing her brother’s disabilities, Michelle was certain he wasn’t guilty. But could she do anything?

‘You can’t fight the whole justice system … this is a battle we can never win … Then … a new thought … we may not be able to fight this colossus but God can.’

On RTE’s Gerry Ryan Show, she launched her fight to prove Barry innocent. This culminated in a retrial.

His conviction was quashed and he was declared not guilty, but not for eight years. In the interim, Michelle had to draw on her relationship with Jesus simply to keep going, and was supported by family, friends, her church, and even one of the Birmingham Six. Media intimidation damaged her mother’s health, and shortly before the appeal, her husband died.

‘This account will, undoubtedly, make you think differently about the criminal justice system … It will also show you what can be achieved when an (extra)ordinary woman on a mission from God with little or no apparent resources makes a demand for truth and justice for her brother and will not take no for an answer.’ Dr Michael Naughton, Bristol University Law School

Shema is an eight-year-old Rwandan goatherder, who wants to fly a plane.

‘Shema had never been to school …

His parents had been killed in a terrible civil war … so now the three children … look after themselves … His sister was only twelve years old herself but she tried hard to be a mother … growing and cooking food for them.’

Shema is surprised when his friend’s mother tells him that God loves him and that God told her to give him two jumpers.

‘Shema didn’t really understand that. How could someone called God love him … an orphan? He didn’t know anything about God, but he did know that his friend’s family talked a lot to this God and sang to Him … It was all very strange.

He held up the lovely sweaters to show his sister … Suddenly he saw his brother’s face and realised that there wasn’t one for him. His happiness disappeared. What could he do? I wonder if I could I ask that God person for a sweater for a five year old? If He does love me, He would understand that my brother needs one too.’

Shema gets another sweater but not before a goat eats his only T-shirt.

He is frightened by a medicine man, encounters a black cobra, visits the hospital and is given a new house. But through all his adventures, he discovers that although an orphan, he has a Father in heaven who cares for him.

By Ray and Vi Donovan

By Michelle Diskin

By Mary Weeks Millard

Book reviews by Julie Carvill of christianbooks.ie, from where you can order these and other inspiring titles: info@christianbooks.ie or +353 (0)86 839 1870

JAN - MAR 2019 VOX.IE

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VOX PS

TECH SABBATH

BY SEÁN MULLAN

T

he week I write in has seen a stream of horror stories about medical implant devices.

Hundreds of thousands have had their lives and health ruined by faulty or badly made implant devices.

From artificial hips to implanted defibrillators these have caused sickness, pain and death. Inadequate testing and regulation in a competitive industry has created our latest scandal.

But you and I know people who are delighted with their medical implants. I am at an age when my peers are getting artificial hips or knees and most are delighted. More sophisticated implants have transformed the lives of people with heart disease or chronic pain.

Technology does so much good.

And therein lies our dilemma technology does so much good but at what cost?

One of the most popular schools for the children of wealthy tech execs in San Francisco has a complete ban on screens, of any kind – no smart phones, no tablets, no laptops, no TVs. This is a very expensive private school but parents are quite happy to spend their earnings from technology to ensure their children have a technology free education.

Oh, what sweet irony!

And which of us is not, to some extent, like those parents? We benefit from technology but long for a life where it has less influence in shaping our days and our worlds. Tech is here to stay but the question arises: does it serve us or does it rule us?

Stick with me while I jump two millennia and two continents from Silicon Valley to the Jordan Valley. A picture

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that has intrigued me for decades is from the famous Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus of Nazareth claims that if your enemy hits you on the right cheek then turning your other cheek towards him – or her – is your best option.

A weird command, I used to think – what if he hits me in the nose or the stomach? But the genius in the advice is that by turning the other cheek you are asserting your right to control your body. The normal reactions to being hit are to hit back or run away.

In either case you accept your enemy’s authority; you react to his action.

Fight or flight puts him in charge. The Jesus alternative is a refusal to accept his authority. It’s a declaration of independence. “I will not, because of fear or anger, submit to your rule in my life.”

We badly need to learn this principle in relation to technology. In a recent study in the Netherlands 29% of 18- to 25-year-olds described themselves as “addicted” to social media.

And it’s not just Dutch twenty-somethings. How many of us end each day wishing we had spent less time on screens?

Sabbath, as a concept and practice, has a long history. The Jewish Scriptures trace it back to the beginning of humanity.

Make one day in seven different. Don’t work. Rest.

Play. Enjoy.

Imagine marrying modern tech and ancient Sabbath in a collective

social experiment: a Tech Sabbath. One 24-hour period every week when we refrain from using the technology that shapes our lives. The more of us that are involved, the easier it will be. We can collaborate in suggesting and organising non-tech activities.

Ah, I can hear the objections rolling in already. “What about emergencies?” “I use tech for my protection.”

“I could miss out on something important.”

“What if people are trying to get me?”

Starting a Tech Sabbath is going to feel like running into the sea in Ireland on a sunny day.

“It’s freezing – I must be mad… Well actually, it’s not too bad… In fact, this is really good … I need to do this more often.”

The obvious candidates for a tech Sabbath day are Saturday or Sunday.

I’m inclined to think that starting on Friday evening, which happens to be when the Jewish Sabbath begins, is the best option. Cold turkey – especially if your job involves a lot of tech. Leave the laptop in work, get home, take a deep breath, then another one, and switch the phone off. Then do something un-tech – find that old tin whistle you swore you’d learn to play, visit a neighbour, go for a walk and say hello to strangers, write a letter, write a book, write an article for VOX magazine. Unplug and live.

It might feel cold but you could be amazed at how refreshed you are.

Who knows – you might end up more influenced by the Jordan Valley than Silicon Valley.

TECH IS HERE TO STAY BUT THE QUESTION ARISES: DOES IT SERVE US OR DOES IT RULE US?

Seán Mullan has been working in church leadership for many years. He has developed a project in Dublin City Centre called “Third Space”.

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