Dear friends,
Blessings to you all from a warm(ish) and bright Greystones.
It has been an eventful few months of ministry here, so much so that I have yet to find a minute to stop and keep you all updated. But alas…!
This past week my family and I took a six day break and headed to Aix-en-Provence in the south of France, just a two hour plane ride from Dublin. We visited a Christian retreat centre where I once spent two months volunteering when I was just 16 (going on 17😉). This place had quite the impact on me when I was young, I grew to appreciate the 6am daily prayers and the evening worship services—not at first, of course.
But it was here where I started to really experience the loving draw of God, an embrace I have stepped closer and closer to as the years have gone on. I was thankful to share that place with Kels and the kids, one of whom said, “Dad, I love this place too!” We left France with full hearts ready to dive back into ministry and life in Ireland.
Some notable developments here:
Our church continues to grow. Week by week we are welcoming new people, and new christians, into our fellowship.
We have celebrated two weddings this year already, with another two to come. I know that doesn’t sound like much but it's something worth celebrating for our church. In the past we might have had one wedding a year, if any at all! This year we’ll have had four and its only June! We are enjoying celebrating blessed unions together. In light of this I have developed a premarital counselling course that the couples have gone through these past few months. Serving couples in this way is a real privilege to me and I trust they enjoy it too.
In the last few weeks our church has begun to welcome refugees to our building for English classes and for friendship. My co-pastor, Tim, has developed a whole network of support for roughly 100 men who have been placed in a temporary tent community just ten minutes from our church. Many of the men are Palestinian and Afghans seeking asylum in Ireland. These men were initially met by a hostile loud minority who aggressively and violently tried to intimidate these men, many of whom are in their late teens or early 20’s. But as a church it has been our privilege to welcome them in the name of Jesus, without judgment, and for the glory of God. Though these men see our welcome as a blessing to them, it is us who are blessed by the friendships and stories and opportunity to share life with these men. I am excited to see what God will continue to do through this open door as we bear witness to the One who welcomes all.
Many of you will be aware of the charity Football Tournament our church runs each year. Some of our friends from Beechwood in Holland Michigan even fielded a team last year! But we had our biggest event yet this year. Ten teams, ten players per team and countless spectators. We also welcomed a team of refugees who represented their native Palestine. This was fitting as we were raising funds for the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza. This is a Christian hospital (Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem) providing medical care. We raised €2,275.00. Here's this years winners, Brazil:
Our building plan for our church continues to move forward. After the approval of our planning application from the county council, we are now preparing the plans for the construction phase. It is growing increasingly obvious for our need to improve our building facility. As we host groups and weddings, worship and go about our regular functions as a church our current building is proving not fit for purpose. Our community is eager to see this development happen and have begun to develop our own fundraising campaign to see it come to pass.
To our disappointment we will not make it back to US for a trip this year as it has been too disruptive for our small children each year. So this summer we are going to stay in Ireland. But we look forward to welcoming some visitors over the summer months and seeing a little more of this lovely island.
Friends, we are grateful for your ongoing partnership through friendship, prayer and support.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Blessings,
Luke, Kelsey, Cohen, Ida and Rhys
Pray With Us
Will you join us in giving thanks:
For the season of growth and renewal at our church
For the approval of our planning application and the hopes of moving forward with our building.
For the opportunity to minister to so many new comers to Greystones.
Will you continue to join us in praying:
Pray for the continued health and growth of our church.
Pray for provision for us as a family, but also for the building plans for our church.
Pray for our refugee friends who need safety and stability.
Pray that we would continue to experience the power and wisdom of the triune God as a church in Greystones, Ireland.