Diocesan News
Church Army visit to Belfast
Church Army Chief Executive, Mark Russell, Deputy Chief Executive, Des Scott, (who are both from Northern Ireland) Board and evangelists took Belfast by storm over the week–end.
After holding a meeting at the Church of Ireland House, the entire Church Army group visited the North Belfast Centre of Mission’s Connect Base on the historic Shankill Road to see the work of evangelists Karen Webb and Stephen Whitten first–hand. Connect Base opened last year, in partnership with the Diocese of Connor, as a way of engaging with the local community. The Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, who is a member of the Church Army Board, was also present.
The visit was followed by a dinner at Parliament Buildings Stormont, where the Church Army team was hosted by Ulster Unionist Party politician and member of the Legislative Assembly, Robbie Butler (pictured above with the group). The dinner was attended by all Church Army evangelists based in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, as well members of the wider Church Army team.
Mark Russell said: “It was such a privilege to meet with our Board and local team in Belfast and I’m grateful for the time of fun and fellowship we had together. A huge thank you to Robbie Butler for hosting us.”
The last two years have seen a significant growth in Church Army’s work in the Celtic regions. The North Belfast Centre of Mission was launched in September 2015, followed by the opening of the first–ever Church Army Centre of Mission in the Republic of Ireland (the Tuam Centre of Mission in Ballina, County Mayo) last year and the Drumcliffe Centre of Mission last month.
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Connor
07766 103880
Mrs Karen Bushby
[email protected]