Armagh Baptist Church will be running a Discipleship Explored Course over the next 8 months on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from October to April 2010
You are invited to get involved. Contact Pastor Ian Grant HERE if you wish to know more, or want to participate.
Q. What is Discipleship Explored (DE)?
A. Discipleship Explored is a journey into the book of Philippians. As they discover Paul's extraordinary letter, participants explore for themselves the meaning of Paul's words: "For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."
Q. Who is DE intended for?
A. DE is for anyone who wants to make the most of their Christian lives. In particular, DE is perfect for participants who have been through Christianity Explored and have recently decided to follow Christ.
Q. How long is DE?
A. The course lasts eight weeks, with each weekly session lasting about 2 hours.
Q. Can I pull out if I want to?
A. Of course you can.
Q. What happens during a typical session?
A. Those familiar with Christianity Explored will feel right at home. Each session has a Group Discussion, a short study in Philippians, a short talk, and a further Group Discussion.
Q. What topics are covered?
A. The topics covered are as follows each week:
Confident In Christ (Philippians 1:1-11)
Living In Christ (Philippians 1:12-26)
Standing Together In Christ (Philippians 1:27 - 2:11)
Transformed By Christ (Philippians 2:12-30)
Righteous In Christ (Philippians 3:1-9)
Knowing Christ (Philippians 3:10 - 4:1)
Rejoicing In Christ (Philippians 4:2-9)
Content In Christ (Philippians 4:10-23)
Q. What's special about DE?
A. Philippians is a letter written to young Christians, encouraging them to stand firm and live for Christ. It is compelling, challenging and inspiring - particularly to those beginning the Christian life, because they are on exactly the same journey as the Philippians! Course leaders benefit from six training sessions that precede the course, giving them a confidence that is founded on a deeper understanding of Philippians. Also built into the course is a Bible reading plan to help every participant explore each theme further - and also develop the habit of reading the Bible daily.
Ian Grant inducted to pastorate
of Armagh Baptist Church
A new chapter in the 92 year history of the Armagh Church opened on 1st May when Ian Grant was inducted as its eleventh pastor. His grandfather, Robert Campbell, had been the third pastor of the church around 70 years ago, and Ian has been coming to Armagh as a visiting preacher over the past 20 years.
One of the elders, Stephen Sturgeon, led the service and invited the new pastor’s father, Pastor Rea Grant to read and pray. The church secretary, Paul McGilton, then related the history of the Call and presented a floral arrangement to Judith Grant after which Ian and Judith were welcomed into membership by the church treasurer, David Graham.
The Act of Induction was carried out by Clifford Morrison, Ian’s father-in-law, who had been pastor of Thomas Street Baptist Church when the Grant family worshipped there during the past four years. The three elders of the church then laid hands on their new pastor as Pastor Morrison led in prayer.
Ian Grant spoke of the assurance that at each stage of his life he had been in the place where God wanted him to be, as Assistant Pastor in Portadown, Pastor of Mullaghmeen Church for five years, Cavan Baptist Church for ten years, and more recently as Director of SIM (Serving in Mission).
He spoke with equal assurance about his call to Armagh and assured the large gathering that he intended to set the following priorities in his new ministry: the consecutive expository preaching of God’s Word, to co-operate with others in on-going evangelism to Armagh City and South Armagh, to have a very clear emphasis on discipleship in every area of church life, to seek to develop and use the gifts that God had placed within the congregation, to involve others in the regular visitation ministry of the church, and last, but not least, he would seek to build on the foundation that Andrew Roycroft had already laid, by developing a clear missionary emphasis within the church.
He assured the church that he was not coming as the sole leader of the work but as one of a team with the intention of working with the church members in their God-given task of expanding His Kingdom.
Ronnie Fyffe, pastor of the Castlederg Church, paid tribute to Ian Grant as his first pastor when he had been in membership of Mullaghmeen and spoke of the honour of being asked to preach at the induction service. He emphasised the role of the church as the body of Christ, made up of members who had a role to play in the ministry of the local church. His message was based on Ephesians chapter 4, and focused on the Body Ministry of the local church. The Pre-Condition of Body Ministry was Unity, the Pattern for Body ministry was Diversity and the Purpose of Body Ministry was Maturity.
Tributes and greetings to the new pastor were brought by Mr Tom Moore, the incoming president of the Association, who thanked the Armagh Church for playing its part in the life of the Association; by Rev Mervyn Burnside who was sorry to see Ian leave, as chairman of SIM Ireland, but happy to see him follow the Lord’s leading to Armagh. Gerry Lynch and Barrie Clingen brought greetings from the Cavan and Mullaghmeen churches; Raymond Pollock spoke especially of Judith Grant’s valuable musical contribution on behalf of Portadown Baptist Church in recent years and Rev Sam Finlay welcomed the Grant family on behalf of the local Presbyterian churches and the wider Christian community.
For the members of the Armagh Church, one of the highlights of the evening was a video link to Arequipa, Peru, which brought greetings to pastor and people from Andrew Roycroft (former pastor, now Baptist Missions), his wife Carolyn and daughter Grace.
NEWS FROM ZIMBABWE
I want to thank Brenda Vallelly from Switzerland for passing this information to me on 14 February 2009. Continue to remember John 
Bell and the church in Harare. John was with us in May 2008 in Armagh.
From an e-mail from Pastor John Bell in Harare: “I would just like to take the opportunity to thank all who have expressed Christian love for people here in Zimbabwe through the gifts of the Zambezi Grocery food packs. The basic packs we have used to give to individuals who come to us generally "off the street" as it were. As a city centre church, we often have destitute people coming to us for help and over the past couple of years we have developed a very active Social Concerns ministry. These food packs mean we have something to give to these people. The family packs we distribute to families known to us, sometimes elderly folk and widows, often members of our church but not necessarily so. When we handed out one of the packs, the man to whom we gave it, who in fact is a teacher at a private school with a family of 5 delightful children, said to me "Pastor, we have not had sugar in the house for 5 weeks, and we are so grateful to the Lord for this gift". Another older couple in the church thanked me and the lady said something to the effect, "Now we are waiting to see who the Lord wants us to share this with". One of the encouragements at the moment is to hear words to this effect from believers, who, having received a gift like this, are looking for ways to share with others. So thank you for your gifts and interest in the lives of believers here. Please pray for us, it is not easy to remain positive in these days.”
Church Carol Service
on 21 December 2008
On Sunday 21st December the church held its annual pre-Christmas services. In the morning the children of the Sunday School were presented with their prizes by Mr Fenton Nesbitt, Superintendent and Mrs Daphne Weir, teacher.
In the evening the service of seven lessons and carols was held and a large congregation of members, friends and visitors enjoyed musical items by the children’s choir and an adult choir assembled for the occasion. Music was provided by one of the church’s regular Praise Teams. The closing Gospel message was brought by Mr Alan Baird, tutor at the Irish Baptist College.
Church Member Lily McFarland celebrates her 90th birthday
On Friday 17 October Mrs Lily McFarland celebrated her 90th birthday with her extended family in Richhill.
Lily has been a member of the Church since 1992, when she moved from Dungannon to reside in sheltered accomodation in Richhill, owned by the Baptist Housing Association (ABODE).
The Church Elders visited Lily on Friday afternoon to present her with a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the Church members.
Church Elders Stephen Sturgeon, David
Graham and Paul McGilton present Lily
McFarland with a bouquet of flowers.
Lily cuts her cake with her Daughter Ruth Briggs
Songs and Hymns of Praise Evening
On Sunday 24 August the evening service was given over to an evening of Songs and Hymns of Praise.
Members of the church had been asked prior to the evening to request their favourite hymn or song or one that had made an impact or had influenced their lives in some way in the past. At the service each member then introduced their favourite piece and explained the significance of it in their lives. For some it had been instrumental in bringing them to Christ. For others the hymn had spoken at a very strategic point in their lives and reminded them of God’s presence and power.
Paul McGilton, elder and church secretary, led the service, at times giving insight to the authors of some on the pieces being sung. Paul was very ably assisted by the church praise group, who led us in the singing of hymns and songs both ancient and modern.
Peter Lawther, Baptist Youth, brought the evening to a conclusion speaking from Psalm 33.
Those who attended the evening were encouraged as they listened to the testimony of all who introduced their favourite hymns and songs.
This is an event that will surely be repeated in the days ahead.
The following songs and hymns were chosen for the evening:
Father I place into Your hands – Brian McFarland
All I once held dear (Knowing You) – Ken Vallelly
I once was a stranger to grace and to God – George Proctor
He will hide me – Sidney Anderson
Would you be free from your burden of sin – Diane Anderson
When the roll is called up yonder – Wesley Knox
I will offer up my life – John Humphries
Living under the shadow of Your wing – Suzanne Sturgeon
Before the throne of God above – Jim Harvey
Elders’ Retirement by Brian Weir
For the past three years the work of the Church has been led by a team of five elders. Two of them, Brian McFarland and Ken Vallelly, had been in post since 1993 and had held various offices within the church for many years before that. Both announced earlier this year that they intended to resign from the eldership in June 2008 and on Sunday 29 June they attended their last morning service as elders. Brian will continue his work with Slavic Gospel Association and Ken will continue his ministry with SIM.
To mark the occasion the church secretary and elder, Paul McGilton, asked both men to come to the front as an acknowledgement of their long service to the church. The other two elders, David Graham and Stephen Sturgeon, made presentations to the retiring elders on behalf of the church, each being presented with a watch to remind them of their time in leadership.
Stephen Sturgeon presents Brian McFarland with his watch at the morning service
Ken Vallelly responding with thanks and appreciation to the Church
Pastor
James Armstrong:
A
Brief Tribute
Adapted with permission from Andrew Roycroft’s blog
at http://double-usefulness.blogspot.com
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Pastor James Armstrong and his wife Jean on his 90th birthday (May 2005)
On
Sunday morning 16 March 2008, at around 10.30am, Pastor James
Armstrong of Milford, Co.Armagh, passed into the presence
of the Saviour whom he loved and served. At 92 years of age
he had lived a full life, one which was devoted to the cause
of Christ and the extension of His Kingdom. During my five
years as Pastor in Armagh Baptist, I came to know Pastor James
(as he is affectionately known to all) very well, and the
more I became acquainted with him the more my love and esteem
for him grew. He truly was a great man of God, a sterling
servant, who courted no acclaim or recognition for the considerable
service he rendered to his Master.
My abiding
memory of Pastor James is of his deep sincerity, and his unyielding
devotion to prayer. In my years as Pastor he had largely become
housebound, but this did not stop him interceding for the
work of God right around the world, and writing regularly
to many people to encourage and help them in their walk with
God. He regularly wrote letters to people who were not Christians,
winning their attention and affection by his gracious manner
and flowing style. The word of God was not chained.
Only in
the fond recollection of others did I ever encounter the Pastor
James of years gone by. A physically robust man, who had represented
his country in shot-putting, had served as a soldier with
the Irish Guards, and had known considerable success as a
police officer with the RUC. He was a man of tremendous strength
both morally and mentally, who commanded respect from all
who knew him. Prior to taking up the work of Pastor in Armagh
Baptist Church he had served as an itinerant evangelist, knowing
what can only be described as the profound blessing of God
on his ministry. People were saved through the Gospel campaigns
in which he was involved by the score, something which he
was always keen to attribute to the sovereign grace of God.
Men and women who are presently serving God across the world
trace their spiritual lineage back to God's gospel being faithfully
and powerfully proclaimed through James Armstrong. His ministry
extended to Canada, where he was much in demand as a preacher.
People there still recall his service in glowing terms.
He initially
took on the Pastorate of Armagh Baptist on a temporary basis
when numbers were low and encouragements were sparse, and
eventually served over 20 years in ministry in the church.
Those who listened to his preaching still regularly quote
the truths he taught, a favourite subject being the sovereignty
of God over all of our circumstances.
As a young
Pastor coming to my first church, I could not have hoped to
have met a more encouraging mentor and model for ministry.
From my first encounters with him, Pastor James and his dear
wife Jean showed humbling support and concern for Carolyn
and me in the work of God. Never once did I feel the weight
of his many years of service brought to bear when I would
falteringly read and pray in their home, after enjoying coffee
and a long and encouraging chat. Pastor James' hearing had
significantly ebbed away in latter years, but we would sit
together in their living room in Milford, with Mrs Armstrong
acting as interpreter between us in conversation. He would
often say, 'I'm good for nothing now, only prayer', an assertion
which made my heart soar in gratitude to God for one who faithfully
interceded on my behalf. Every Sunday night as I preached
the Gospel in Armagh I was assured that he prayed continuously
for the service, and for a work of God to be done. It is hard
to express in words how much that meant.
Pastor
James' memory was incredible, with an ability to recall snatches
of verse, stanzas of hymns, sections of Scripture, and news
stories which was utterly astounding for a man of his years.
He would occasionally pass on clippings from the newspaper
which he thought might make good fodder for sermon illustrations.
They were always helpful. I once preached a message in Armagh
which borrowed an outline from one of his sermons - Jesus
makes 'Life worth living, death worth dying, and eternity
something to be looked forward to'. His wife told him when
she returned home from church that night that she didn't think
that she would hear James Armstrong preaching in Armagh again,
but she had!! If only I had known a fraction of his force,
fire and effectiveness...
He would
speak of heaven in longing terms. With the complications of
ill health he had a strong desire to be at home with his Saviour,
and would make this known to any who called to see him. He
carried a consistent and touching testimony with all of the
health care staff who encountered him, many speaking appreciatively
of his prayers and gracious manner. The loving care lavished
on him by his wife, and the sense of partnership which they
had shared throughout their life together, shone through in
bright relief against the difficult backdrop of illness.
I write
this little tribute with a sense of great privilege. God has
allowed me to know a man of depth, sincerity, honour and integrity
- a man who loved God, His Word, and His people. I, along
with many others, combine sadness at his passing with celebration
of his life. A true soldier of Christ has been called home.
My prayers are with his wife, Jean, his sons David and Andrew,
and his daughter Helen - along with their families and the
wider family circle. His love for them, and their love for
him were an inspiration.
It seems
fitting to conclude with words which Pastor James would quote
from memory on a regular basis. They are representative of
so much of his Word ministry in earlier years, and of his
personal testimony more recently:
Sovereign
Ruler of the skies,
Ever gracious, ever wise,
All my times are in thy hand,
All of events at thy command.
His decree
who formed the earth
Fixed my first and second birth;
Parents, native place, and time
All appointed were by him.
He that
formed me in the womb,
He shall guide me to the tomb;
All my times shall ever be
Ordered by his wise decree.
Times
of sickness, times of health,
Times of penury and wealth;
Times of trial and times of grief,
Times of triumph and relief;
Times
the tempter’s power to prove,
Times to test the Saviour’s love;
All must come, and last, and end
As shall please my heavenly friend.
Plagues
and death around me fly;
Till he bids, I cannot die.
Nor a single shaft can hit,
Till the love of God sees fit.
John Ryland
(1753-1825), Baptist minister, cited by J.I. Packer, God’s
Plans for You, pg. 9.
