Diocesan News16 Mar 11

Presbyterian Moderator Welcomes Maize n' Grace event at Odyssey Arena

To help mark the St Patrick's Day celebrations it has been announced that South African farmer and international Christian speaker Angus Buchan is coming back to Ireland. He will speak at Maize n' Grace, a special event in The Odyssey Arena in Belfast on 27 and 28 May. Many people from all parts of the community, including Presbyterian Moderator Dr Norman Hamilton, are already welcoming his visit.

Maize n' Grace at the Odyssey will be an event designed to bring down walls. Brian Keys, one of the organizers, said " Jesus Christ brings down walls - not only between human beings and God but also between people. In our wounded society the message of hope that Angus Buchan brings will be particularly welcome. It is warmly offered to every part of our community".

In welcoming the planned Maize n' Grace event Dr Norman Hamilton, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland said, "For the long-term good of our community we need to find ways of bringing down the walls between people. The message of the Bible and the example of our Christian lives makes a major contribution to this. That is why I warmly welcome the visit of Angus Buchan to The Odyssey this year" He continued "It has always been core to our faith that Christ can bring down the walls not only between individuals and God but also between people. That hope is something that we need to constantly hear. That is why I commend this Maize n' Grace event at The Odyssey."

Angus Buchan has spoken to crowds of up to 350,000 people, yet he spends most of the year living simply on his farm in South Africa.

Last year over 7500 people from every part of the community went to hear him in the Ecclsville Centre in Fintona, Co Tyrone. Not only was it attended by people from all over Ireland but from many different parts of the world. His down to earth style has an appeal reaching across generations and divisions.

Buchan's life story is told in the book and film Faith like Potatoes. It is of a man who travels the same journey as the rest of us. It is a story of triumph, struggle and adversity. Most of all it is about how God can turn a life around.

Basil O'Malley, another member of the organizing committee said, "When Angus Buchan speaks he doesn't want your money. Neither is he asking you to join his church". He continued, "It a message about Jesus bringing down barriers not just with God but between people".

The Odyssey Arena has played host to Presidents and pop stars. On 27 & 28 May 2011 every member of the community is warmly welcomed to Maize n' Grace. Admission is free.

More information can be found by visiting www.maizengrace.com.

For further information contact:
Earl Storey (Topstorey Communications)
Mob 07752841802