Spring 2008

"Go and make people from all nations into disciples . . ."

Jewish New Testament

Franklin Graham Celebration of Hope 2008

"Inviting people to become followers of Jesus."

4th - 6th April 2008, Odyssey Arena, Belfast

What a weekend we have had. On Saturday night and Sunday night God filled the Odyssey Arena and the cinemas. Unfortunately there were some we could not squeeze in and they had to be turned away.

It was awesome to sit in the Odyssey Arena, packed with people there because of the Lord Jesus Christ. Odyssey staff said they had never seen anything like it. The response has been amazing. The recorded responses are listed below.

Christian Life and Witness Classes

16,833 attended the classes (average of just over 4200 each night)

Of these 76 made first time commitments

271 dealt with assurance issues

556 rededicated their lives to the Lord

Celebration of Hope 2008 Weekend

We had a total attendance over the four meetings of 32,783

Of these: 1892 made first time commitments

187 dealt with assurance issues

297 rededicated their lives to the Lord

69 others

These stats. are by no means the whole story. We know of quite a few people who have come to the Lord since the weekend and no doubt there are many who made commitments but who did not come down for counselling.

Only God knows what this means for the Church in Northern Ireland and for the future of the Kingdom in this land.

We freely acknowledge that our mighty God has touched our lives and the lives of countless others through this event. But as we have always said the Odyssey weekend in only 10% of the whole. Another 40% was 'In Church' as churches prepared for the Celebration of Hope 2008. Now those who have responded have been referred back to evangelical churches who have been involved with us in the Celebration of Hope 2008, that is another 40% .

Join with us in praising God for what He has done and pray for the hundreds of churches who are even now following up those referred to them.

Baptist Women

All the courses are completed for the year but do pray for Baptist Women as they seek a new Women's Director as Isabel Moore retires from the job.

Baptist Women's Ministry Course

Classes are finished for the year. They recommence, DV, in September.

Freedom in Christ

Freedom in Christ continues to expand in Northern Ireland. We have our own teaching team here now and more and more groups are running course for themselves. Pray that God will continue to expand this aspect of the Kingdom and help us discern how this all fits in with the Celebration of Hope.

Waringstown Bible Study

These monthly studies have resumed. Normally the first Monday of the month. Again this year there are new additions to the group.

The Team

Please pray for the team; Bill Holloway, George and Kay Thompson, Heather Robb, Lorraine McCartney, Marion Moreland, Ann Hamilton. All are under great pressure this year as they seek to meet the demands ministry places on health, strength, our spiritual walk and family life.

Please pray especially this year for protection from the enemy who will seek to come in a cause dissension.

Thank you for your love, support and prayers.