Victor McMullan, from High Street, Lurgan, writes….

Like a gentle breeze skipping across the still waters, ruffling the feathers of the waterfowl as it goes, so was the moving of God’s Spirit over our Lay Witness Weekend. Many lives were touched as the team shared and ministered to the whole congregation.

The theme of the weekend was “Refresh, Renew and Respond”. Weeks of prayer beforehand caused the fallow ground to be broken up and allowed the seed to be sown. 

HIGH STREET, LURGAN TEAM

L-R:  Errol Johnston, Melanie McCloskey, David Blevins, Lesley Moreland, Karen McIlveen, Shirley Alexander, Margaret Sterling, Wesley Sterling, Paul Andrews, Robbie Holmes, Gwen Patterson, Nikki Ferguson, Stephen McCann, (Bill Patterson - camera shy!)

Fourteen “ordinary men and women”, as they called themselves, shared their faith, their love of their heavenly Father, and their daily walk with Him. In coffee mornings, over a men’s breakfast and after congregational meals, they opened up their lives and shared their valley and mountain-top experiences.

David Blevins, the team leader, shared on the Sunday morning about the parable of the prodigal son. He challenged us to consider whether we were like the rebellious younger son or the religious older son, both of whom needed their relationship with their father restored.

Many responded and on the Sunday evening shared as to how they had been refreshed and renewed. Rev Maurice Laverty summed it up by saying that we should not, and could not, allow things to be the same again as we all needed to embrace what God had done in our midst and continue to move on and out into His purposes for us.

Thanks to all the team, and thank you, Lord, for your love and mercy.  The seed fought and wrestled through cloying darkness to burst into the early dawn.  Looking up, it unfolded its corrugated leaves and drank in the sun’s light and warmth. It was reborn.

(click to enlarge)

Bill and Gwen Patterson, Team Members write….

A phone call came; we were invited to join the Lay Witness Mission to Lurgan High Street. As we thought and prayed about it, we could not think of a reason to say “no”. Our decision was confirmed when we had a chance meeting with two ladies from Lurgan High Street at Castlewellan Holiday Week.

September and October were busy months for us; we decided on the week leading up to the Mission to spend at least an hour each day in prayer and preparation.

We arrived for the Team Meeting on Friday evening feeling excited and a little nervous.  In the words of Isaiah 40 v3 “… prepare the way of the Lord”.  We give thanks to God for Lurgan High Street, for their minister and team whose prayer, preparation and hospitality arrangements  allowed a team of ordinary people – some known to each other and some not – to blend together to witness for Him.

Refresh, Renew, Respond was the theme for the weekend and in many areas there was evidence of God at work in a gentle way.

Team Meetings were a special time as we praised the Lord and sought His guidance for the next part of the weekend and we lifted to Him those about to witness in song and word.

On the Friday evening when we arrived in the hall for the Congregational Meal, there was a real buzz and air of expectancy. The food, fellowship and hospitality surpassed our expectations throughout the weekend.

Congregational Meetings had an attendance in excess of one hundred people and followed the format of:-                                                                                 

WORSHIP -              praise which was simple and uplifting in unity together

WITNESS -             alive and sincere which touched many hearts

WORD -             enlightening and effective which opened many minds                                                                    

Saturday morning’s Men’s Breakfast was well attended and we were filled not only with food but with witness and fellowship. This was followed by five Coffee Mornings, each different in their own way, where people shared and received ministry.

On Saturday afternoon, some of the team spent time in the Church in prayer and praise; like the flash of a light bulb, clarity was given for the Sunday morning service.

At the end of the Saturday Congregational Meeting, time for prayer ministry was given. A number of people responded. 

Sunday morning was alive and in a well-filled church, the Spirit was moving. After the Word, people were given the opportunity to respond, and a number stood in renewal of their relationship with Christ. At the end of the service, an invitation was given for those who wished to avail of prayer.

We often wonder what a Sunday evening is like after a Lay Witness Weekend, but it is not ours to ponder. We end with grateful thanks to God for the privilege and experience we have had, and leave Lurgan High Street in the Hands of God as they move forward with His Vision for the future.