Hebron Mission
At Hebron we are a church with a strong Missionary focus. From early beginnings until now, we have welcomed visiting Missionaries from around the world to share their stories and experiences of how they fulfil the Great Commission: ‘Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel.’
The church’s very popular Missionary Weekend has been a cornerstone of engagement between the congregation here and many missionaries across the world. It has also been a blessing to see our Pastor’s deep love for missionary work be used through God’s intervention, to enthuse young people to have a deeper interest in mission work. Because of the strong emphasis at Hebron on reaching souls for Christ, God has been pleased to raise up from our congregation many young men and women to serve Him at home and abroad.
Romania
As a Church we have promoted the preaching of the Gospel throughout the world. We have sent out our missionaries, supported the work of missions and helped in numerous ways in bringing the message of Christ to the nations. For 28 years I served on our Presbytery’s Mission Board and travelled to many countries in support of missionary work. However, forme personally, Romania has a special place in my heart.
I was first introduced to Romanian people in 1992 when a group of orphan children, from the village of Recas, near Timisoara, visited Northern Ireland. They came by the invitation of Dr. Stanley Barnes. God’s servant invited me to accompany him on a mission trip to Romania in June 2008. By the grace of God, I will have enjoyed my 40th trip to this part of Eastern Europe in July of this year.
We have preached the Gospel, been involved in numerous projects, and have helped the ministries of Deborah House, Buzias Prison and Recas School for the poor. Many areas have been visited, where we have conducted conference meetings and engaged in Vacational Bible Schools. Working with the Roma people in Moldova Noua has been a particular burden that I’ve carried out for many years.
I have enjoyed the unwavering support of my wife Susan, my family and my congregation – many have travelled with me to Romania to encourage and support the ministry there; I could not have carried out a ministry there without them. My greatest joy, in all we have been enabled to do for the Lord, has been to point sinners to Christ. I look forward to meeting them at God’s right hand in Glory.
Rev. David Park
Pastor
Gospel Missions
Every year Gospel Missions are conducted, mostly in outreach areas. We use a community centre, hall or school, and even erect large tents for the preaching of the Gospel. Christ and His command in the Great Commission, to go into all the world and preach the gospel, is central to all we do. As a congregation, we have a deep burden in our hearts to reach the lost and perishing, to tell of Jesus, the mighty to save! Many people, young and old, have found the Saviour through the faithful preaching of the Gospel at these missions. Our church was founded in Gospel preaching in 1951, when a six-week mission was held in Cabra Schoolhouse and 100 people professed faith in Christ. By the grace of God, we will continue to present Jesus Christ, the only Saviour of men, toa needy world around us.
Hebron Hub
The new Hebron Hub has been created for the encouragement and strengthening of God’s people and for evangelistic purposes. We see it as a facility to keep our people together, especially our youth, and as a place where the Gospel message can be shared with the unconverted in a more informal setting. It is currently used by our Youth Fellowship and Children’s ministry. Other groups in our church will have the opportunity to enjoy times of fellowship and friendship in this new environment. As an outreach facility, it is offered to our local schools with a view to presenting the gospel to hundreds of children who will attend. Its walls are adorned with many challenging verses of Scripture, which we hope will be used of God to speak to those who enter our Hebron Hub.
Open-air Ministry
There has been an open-air witness in Ballymoney going back to Cabra days. These services were conducted by Albert McAuley who preached the Gospel faithfully for many years. A few years ago, I was asked to organise the various speakers and set up the equipment. The open-airs take place on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month from September through to June. In the month of August, open-airs are held around different housing developments in the town. Also, in the lead up to Christmas, we have ano pen-air Carol Service when our own minister, Rev. David Park brings the closing message. We always have a good representation from Hebron attending throughout the year. Only eternity will reveal what has been accomplished by the faithful preaching of God’s Word. Isaiah 55:11.
John McAuley
Open-Air Co-ordinator
Internet & Media Ministry
Our media ministry began as simply recording the audio of a sermon to tape, used as a means of outreach to those who were unable to attend due to age or illness. Over time, it moved to audio CD, then progressed to DVDs, all of which had to be manually duplicated. Today we have a media team of over 20 people who are responsible for the audio in the building and broadcasting our services live to listeners worldwide. They arealso updatinga back catalogue of downloadable church services. These broadcasts are a lifeline for those who are unable to meet with us in person and we regularly receive encouraging messages from all over the world. Some have even come to faith in Christ through the means of the internet ministry.
Samuel Johnston
Media Supervisor
Schools Ministry
For many years we have exercised a ministry in our local schools. The Lord has given Gospel opportunities in 14 schools, including our local Grammar and Secondary schools. In recent years this ministry has flourished until there’s hardly a week in the year, but we are somewhere ministering to children. Christina Logan, our Mission Board children’s evangelist, has been a tremendous help in this work. For three years we have conducted a Schools’Carol service in the Church, when upwards of 600 pupils and staff have attended. Our Romanian friends have travelled over to sing at this event each year. The children receive lunch and a gift before going home.This has been an amazing event, and to see the church building packed with so many children, is nothing short of a miracle. Pray that these doors will remain open!