'Consider Christ' Tract #1 (Dr. Frank McClelland)

Dr. Frank McClelland (Toronto) 'touched base' with Northern Ireland during the month of September. We were delighted to welcome him to our Presbytery meeting at the beginning of that month.

On his return to Toronto (after a missionary trip to Kenya), Dr. McClelland preached his way through the first tract that was released in the 'Consider Christ' Campaign – 'The Alphabet of Salvation.'

Tune in to our brother's message; be challenged and comforted by his announcement of the old-time message of the Gospel of Grace.

Regional Rally – Drumglass High School, Dungannon

Drumglass High School was a hive of activity on Friday night as more than 300 people flocked to a specially convened evangelistic meeting. The rally was organised as part of the Free Presbyterian Church's province-wide 'Consider Christ' Campaign.

The Church had already arranged for every home in Northern Ireland to receive gospel literature, and for eye-catching posters to be displayed on billboards and buses.

The Dungannon venue was one of eight, strategically located to cover as much of the province as possible.

The meeting was conducted by local coordinator Rev Geoffrey Abraham (Aughnacloy), who extended a warm welcome to those gathered in the packed assembly hall. Also participating were Rev Paul Fitton (Dungannon), Rev Timothy Nelson (Sixmilecross), Rev Ian Brown (Londonderry) and soloist Mr Mark Clements (Magherafelt).

The special speaker at the rally was Rev John Morrow (Omagh). Mr Morrow reminded the audience that this year was the 150th anniversary of the great Ulster revival, and he affirmed that his message was the same as that so wonderfully used in 1859. Basing his remarks around the question, "What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?" (Matthew 27:22), Mr Morrow urged his hearers to consider their own relationship with God, and to be reconciled with Him through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rev Abraham concluded the proceedings by thanking all who attended, making particular mention of the participants and of those who had worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the success of the meeting. He encouraged everyone to support follow-up events in their local congregations.

DVD recordings of the rally (£10) are available by contacting one of the sponsoring churches – Aughnacloy, Cookstown, Dungannon, Omagh or Sixmilecross.

[Report by Rev. Timothy Nelson]

On The Buses

I received some photos from Jeff Smyth (CBS Outdoor Advertising) today, showing our posters on buses.

It is exciting to see that the message, 'Consider Christ' is still making its way round our province by means of the transport system.

A Translink worker in Londonderry sent a couple of prints of photos he had taken of buses bearing our logo that were in his bus depot. We gratefully acknowledge receipt of these.

Many thanks also to those who, camera at the ready, have taken photos of buses (or sent a message through identifying the locations where they spotted 'Consider Christ' buses) over the course of the last two weeks.

1500+ 'Consider Christ' Invites to Primary Schools

A programme of visitation of Primary Schools in Londonderry was commenced on Thursday past and completed today. The purpose was to give out invitations to our 'Consider Christ' Bible Club (5-9 October) and our 'Consider Christ' Gospel Mission (4-18 October).

In total, 1500+ invitation cards were given out in 7 Primary Schools.

This is an excellent means of reaching many of the children of Primary School age in our city – and a means of contacting their parents.

Much thanks is due to the office and teaching staff of the Schools that received the invitations (and to those who posed for photos with me! - including Marilyn McCarter, pictured above). They gave me an enthusiastic welcome and have helped immensely in distributing our literature.

Regional Rally – Newry High School

On Friday night (2 October 2009) a large crowd of over 350 people gathered at the ‘Consider Christ’ Gospel Rally in Newry High School.

The event was one of four on the same evening across the province.

One of the co-ordinators Rev David Smith (Ardaragh) explained the background and purpose of the rally:

“The denomination has funded a distribution campaign into every home in Northern Ireland of some 750,000 gospel tracts, a poster campaign involving billboards and buses and eight regional rallies. The funding has come from the generous giving of the congregations who have been enthusiastic in their support and firms such as Vision Solutions in Belfast who have given of their experience and time. Also Every Home Crusade printed the tracts without charge as part of their vision to place gospel literature into every home.”

He added, “The purpose of this rally is to present the gospel message and give direction as to how a person may know God and the salvation of their soul.”

The meeting on Friday night was led by Rev William McDermott (Moneyslane), Rev James Porter (Markethill) opened in prayer. Rev David McMillan (Mullaglass) sang three solos. Mr Noel Shields (Mourne) read the scriptures from Luke chapter 19.

Rev Ian Harris then addressed the meeting. He took as his text the words of Pilate, “What shall I do with Jesus, which is called Christ.” He commented that while Pilate had ample opportunity to consider Christ, the time came when he must choose what to do with the Lord. Sadly, Pilate decided to hand him over to be crucified. Mr Harris went on to remind the gathered audience they too had a choice to make, they must reject Christ or accept Him. He urged any in the meeting who were not yet saved to realise the importance of having their sins forgiven and come to know Christ as their Saviour.

The meeting was concluded in prayer by Rev Raymond McLernon (Tullyvallen).

Mr Smith wishes to thank all those who attended the meeting, the Principal and board of Governors for the use of Newry High School and the caretaking staff for their help in holding this special service.

[Report by Rev. David Smith]

Regional Rally – Ballymena

On Friday 2 October 2009, over 500 people gathered at the ‘Consider Christ’ rally at Ballymena North Business and Recreation Centre. The meeting was held in conjunction with other rallies in Dungannon, Lisburn and Newry.

The Rev Robert Ormerod (Cloughmills FPC) led the meeting and opened in prayer. A group of young men from the Ballymena congregation sang two pieces and the Rev John Greer, the minister of Ballymena FPC, brought the closing word. He spoke on Zacchaeus (Luke 19) and noted the saving experience of Zacchaeus could be summed up in 4 steps:

1. A desire – v3 – ‘and he sought to see Jesus.’

2. A determination – v4 - ‘And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.’

3. A decision – v6 – ‘And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.’

4. A declaration – v9 – ‘This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.’

A word of thanks to all that helped in every way - Joseph Kennaway (piano), Joseph Greer (sound) and all the stewards and car-park attendants – it was greatly appreciated by all.

[Report by James Curran]

Some Billboards Are Still In Place!

Our deal with the advertising company, JC Decaux, for 35 billboards in various locations across the province (we had a further 8 x billboards with CBS Outdoor in the greater Belfast region) began on 7 September and ran to 21 September.

However, some have survived into an additional 2 x week cycle. I have been informed that the billboard @ Chapel Hill in Lisburn is still on display; I have just photographed the billboard @ Garden City, Londonderry.

Both of these are in key locations.

The interesting detail about the Londonderry billboard is that, when its 2 x week cycle expired, the other 2 companies who were advertising on this prismatic board were replaced with fresh adverts; only the 'Consider Christ' board was permitted to remain!

We view this as providential and rejoice that the Good News of Christ's Gospel is still being proclaimed to the hundreds of motorists/pedestrians who pass these locations each day.

Regional Rally – Lisburn LeisurePlex

About 500 people attended the Lisburn ‘Consider Christ’ gospel rally in Lagan Valley LeisurePlex on Friday evening, 2nd October.

The rallies, arranged by the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster as one of the stages in the ‘Consider Christ’ campaign, were also held in Belfast, Londonderry, Armagh, Enniskillen, Ballymena, Dungannon and Newry.

They are designed to encourage people who are living in a world without direction, certainty and hope to, ‘Consider Christ’.

The Rev Gordon Dane (Crossgar) led the Lisburn rally and the preacher was the Rev Trevor Baxter (Ballynahinch. Rev Thomas Martin (Lisburn), Rev Cairin Salt (Aghalee) and the Rev Dr Fred Greenfield (Dunmurry) also took part.

Linda Douglas (Lisburn) and Patricia Hamilton (Dromore) presided at the keyboards and led the hearty gospel praise, which included, ‘Would you be free from your burden and sin’ and ‘Sinner how thy heart is troubled’.

Dr Greenfield sang, ‘He was wounded for our transgressions’ and ‘The Prodigal’ and local gospel singers Kingdom Heirs sang, ‘At the cross’ and ‘There rose a Lamb’.

Basing his text on, “For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36), the Rev Baxter spoke of - a word to make you think; a warning to make you tremble and a wonder to make you thankful.

Regional Rally – Devenish College, Enniskillen

On Friday 25th September 2009 the "Consider Christ" regional rally was held in Devenish College in Enniskillen. The Free Presbyterian Churches in Enniskillen, Kesh, Kilskeery, Fivemiletown (Clogher Valley) and Castlederg joined together to hold the rally.

During the fortnight before the rally the congregations of the local congregations gave out thousands of personal invitations which were supported by adverts in the local press and the main "Consider Christ" campaign.

A large gathering of just under 300 people, including many young people, attended the Enniskillen rally which was led by Dr Lindsay Wilson, Minister of the Castlederg congregation.

Rev Raymond Robinson, (Kesh) opened rally in prayer. Following a message in song by Mr Leigh Davis, Rev Peter McIntyre (Clogher Valley) gave a report on the Free Presbyterian outreach to the Irish National Ploughing Championship which had just ended the previous day in County Kildare (south of Dublin). Rev McIntyre was pleased to report that seven souls were gloriously saved.

Rev John Gray then preached a powerful message in the Gospel and we pray that even when the voice of man is silent this Word from the Lord will speak on to men and women.

[Report by Mr Ian Moore]

Regional Rally – The Big Tent, Armagh