The Irish Lay Witness Movement was launched in the wake of a visit here in 1975 by some American Methodist lay people who came to share their faith and speak of the difference Jesus had made in their lives.  It became clear that the simple formula of ordinary Christians sharing their story with other lay people was one that God  could use in a remarkable way to bring renewal and blessing to individual Methodist congregations.  In the wake of that initial visit a group of interested people, ministers and lay, got together and after much prayer, decided to create our own Irish expression of Lay Witness.  Wilson Doran, then a Belfast bank manager, was the unanimous choice as leader.

In the early days the small nucleus of witnesses gained much experience from participating in weekend missions in England.  The Movement came to the notice of many in 1980 when it helped to supply and train counsellors for the Alan Walker Crusade in Belfast.  As more and more churches heard about the standard  weekend event offered by Lay Witness the invitations started to come in.  This led to an urgent need to train more potential witnesses in the art of giving a testimony, leading a small group and leading a person to faith in Christ.  Osbourne Park Methodist Church became the home of monthly rallies which fulfilled this need and promoted a sense of rich fellowship and learning.

As the years have gone by the Movement has experimented with a number of variations on the traditional and basic weekend event.  There was the “Abundant Life Weekend” and our own home grown “Extending the Boundaries” programme which had people testifying to how being a follower of Jesus had caused them to make changes in various areas of life such as family, finances, relationships, career or politics.  Somehow though we have always been drawn back to the basic and simple weekend programme which we still see as our mandate.

The 1990s saw the training and fellowship rallies replaced by an annual meeting in Dungannon Methodist Church to celebrate what God had done during the year.  This was in turn replaced by the current annual residential weekend in Castle Erin, Portrush.  This event has been a spiritual highlight for many providing an opportunity for worship, teaching, training and  fellowship. 

In 1997 the Irish Lay Witness Movement  had the privilege of participating in the first world gathering of Lay Witness at Lake Junaluska in the USA. and of assisting  in a number of mission events there.  In 2000 an Irish team visited Sri Lanka and introduced the idea of Lay Witness there.  In 2002-2003 five weekend missions have taken place in Brookborough, Tempo, Knockbreda, Moville and Holywood.

Twenty-five years on many of our original witnesses are as enthusiastic as ever.  They feel uniquely privileged to have been part of such a special move of God’s Spirit but they keep on seeking guidance about the future.   It is clear as invitations from churches continue to line up that the ministry of the Lay Witness Movement is still needed and wanted.  It is clear too that we still have lay people with remarkable stories to tell of the saving and life changing power of Jesus Christ.  Moreover in all our congregations there are people who will not be reached by sermons but who can be touched in the depths of their being by hearing a personal story told in sincerity and honesty.

We thank God for His faithfulness and the blessings which none of us deserved but that He in His grace delighted to give.

“Tis Jesus the First and the Last

Whose Spirit shall guide us safe home

We’ll praise Him for all that is past

And trust Him for all that’s to come.”