Monday, September 24, 2007
the J Clarks
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Back to work...
Well for those of you who look up this blog, you'll notice that it has been entirely inactive since mid July. I guess the simple reason for that is that most of our staff take annual leave during the month of August and the start of September marks the resumption of our life, work and community here in Belfast.
There have been a number of changes since July. Most notable is that we (Jonny and Jenn) have taken on the role of national leaders for YWAM Northern Ireland. This has led to us deciding to spend 6 months living down in Closkelt, our rural training centre 45 minutes south of Belfast. While still being a part of YWAM Belfast leadership and going up to Belfast twice a week, we are as much as possible, trying to really invest our time and energy into seeing this base become more and more fruitful and integrated in Northern Iish society and into the broader vision of YWAM Northern Ireland.
At the start of September we had a staff retreat where all of our YWAM NI staff came together in beautiful Castlewellan castle, and spent time processing, listening to speakers, praying and relaxing. One significant focus of the week was to honour the outgoing leaders of YWAM NI, Mike and Ros Oman. In truth it was also an envisioning time as we realised that if we were to keep in step with the winds of change on this island, then we would need to have a vision bigger than just the six counties that make up the political state of Northern Ireland. Rather we needed to ensure that "there were not borders in our hearts" to the other 26 counties of this island, nor to the nations of the world, beyond these shores. It became obvious that as we journey as a missional community on this island that we are called to reach out to all - Catholic, Protestant, un-churched, asylum seekers, refugees, immigrants from eastern Europe, Africa and Asia. Followers of Jesus in Ireland are certainly struggling to figure out what is happening in their country: huge economic growth north and south of the border, a swell of immigrants from all over the world, and a surging distrust and disenchantment with organised religion. As YWAM we can definitely play a prophetic role in strategically reaching out and playing a role in meeting these changes with hope and self denial, rather than fear and consumerism that is becoming the norm in Ireland.
October and November mark the start of Discipleship Training Schools in Coskelt and Belfast. Both of these schools, and the one in January, will see over 40 people gather to find God's heart for their lives, for this island, and for the nations of the world. Bill Clinton recently said that he sees 4 significant challenges facing the world in the 21st century - climate change, poverty alleviation, disease (notably HIV/AIDS), and ethnic and religious conflict. As YWAM in Northern Ireland we desire to be rooted in the midst of these challenges and some how bringing the presence of God and his Kingdom to them.
There have been a number of changes since July. Most notable is that we (Jonny and Jenn) have taken on the role of national leaders for YWAM Northern Ireland. This has led to us deciding to spend 6 months living down in Closkelt, our rural training centre 45 minutes south of Belfast. While still being a part of YWAM Belfast leadership and going up to Belfast twice a week, we are as much as possible, trying to really invest our time and energy into seeing this base become more and more fruitful and integrated in Northern Iish society and into the broader vision of YWAM Northern Ireland.
At the start of September we had a staff retreat where all of our YWAM NI staff came together in beautiful Castlewellan castle, and spent time processing, listening to speakers, praying and relaxing. One significant focus of the week was to honour the outgoing leaders of YWAM NI, Mike and Ros Oman. In truth it was also an envisioning time as we realised that if we were to keep in step with the winds of change on this island, then we would need to have a vision bigger than just the six counties that make up the political state of Northern Ireland. Rather we needed to ensure that "there were not borders in our hearts" to the other 26 counties of this island, nor to the nations of the world, beyond these shores. It became obvious that as we journey as a missional community on this island that we are called to reach out to all - Catholic, Protestant, un-churched, asylum seekers, refugees, immigrants from eastern Europe, Africa and Asia. Followers of Jesus in Ireland are certainly struggling to figure out what is happening in their country: huge economic growth north and south of the border, a swell of immigrants from all over the world, and a surging distrust and disenchantment with organised religion. As YWAM we can definitely play a prophetic role in strategically reaching out and playing a role in meeting these changes with hope and self denial, rather than fear and consumerism that is becoming the norm in Ireland.
October and November mark the start of Discipleship Training Schools in Coskelt and Belfast. Both of these schools, and the one in January, will see over 40 people gather to find God's heart for their lives, for this island, and for the nations of the world. Bill Clinton recently said that he sees 4 significant challenges facing the world in the 21st century - climate change, poverty alleviation, disease (notably HIV/AIDS), and ethnic and religious conflict. As YWAM in Northern Ireland we desire to be rooted in the midst of these challenges and some how bringing the presence of God and his Kingdom to them.
