Diocesan News
Connor Appoints Pioneer Evangelist In North Belfast
A Pioneer Evangelist appointed by the Diocese of Connor and the Church Army is now engaged in establishing community links in north Belfast.
The appointment of Stephen Whitten, aged 25, is the first step towards the Bishop of Connor’s aspiration to create a Centre of Mission for the diocese which will have a particular focus in north Belfast.
Two Church Army staff trained in pioneer ministry will aim to establish new communities of faith, and will also seek to train and equip parishes and people across Connor Diocese in what this might mean for each and every context. The post of Pioneer Lead Evangelist has been advertised.
Stephen grew up in east Belfast and now lives in Dundonald. A former pupil of Grosvenor Grammar School, he did a Foundation Degree in Rural and Countryside Management at Greenmount College.
Stephen was involved in a youth drop–in outreach project in Moneyreagh, and did a year as a Church Army Intern in Bangor, Co Down, part of which was spent in Romania with the charity Networks Romania.
Stephen’s internship also involved working with the Primacy Church, street outreach, running children’s clubs, community days, Messy Church, and establishing a new church plant.
Stephen did a two–year degree in Environmental Science at the University of Ulster in Coleraine, maintaining his Church Army involvement with weekly Skype meetings on outreach and evangelism with other young Church Army members across the UK.
After graduating, Stephen went to Bolivia for three months with Tear Fund. ‘I was working with a charity that seeks to reduce levels of violence, particularly domestic and sexual abuse, which are very high in Santa Cruz,’ he said.
Speaking of his new post in north Belfast, Stephen said: ‘I have always been passionate about evangelism and outreach, especially with people who would not be interested in Church.
‘I have done a lot of evangelism on the streets and with strangers, ministry to the homeless, and getting to know people within a community. I love doing it and I also love being part of a team.’
Since taking up his post, which is based in and around Whiterock and Glencairn parishes, Stephen has been getting to know the area and making connections with local people.
‘The vast majority of people have been very welcoming and very accommodating. Many say they pray and believe God looks out for them but that they have never been church goers. The main challenge is to come up with a form of community that is going to be suitable for these people and meet their needs.’
Photo: Stephen Whitten, Pioneer Evangelist with the Church Army and Diocese of Connor, working in north Belfast.
For further information please contact:
Connor Diocesan Communications Officer
Contact Details
Karen Bushby
028 4066 0798
07766103880
[email protected]