The key to seeing a church established in Youghal has always been dependent on the stability of our ‘mother' church in Midleton. In recent years the Lord has been adding to the Midleton church by new people coming to faith and by believers moving into the area.

The elders are led by Andy Compton, who has been pastoring the church since September 2003. God has been faithful to his people.

Although the Midleton church is relatively young, having only been constituted in 1992, today there are around 40 members. The church is almost self-supporting and the present building, which the church rents from the Council, has become too small for the gathered congregation and the Sunday School: a great problem to have. The church is actively looking for a bigger meeting place.

GOD ANSWERING PRAYER

So, how is Youghal doing? Over the years the Lord has been graciously answering prayer in relation to Youghal, too.

  • Like Midleton, believers have moved into the area to live and work. This is a real answer to prayer.
  • We have had some tremendous opportunities for making the gospel known - on the streets, in schools, on the local radio, in personal conversations and through evangelistic events. We have found people open to the claims of Christ and many have requested Bibles and received other literature, including a gospel calendar at Christmas. Many copies of ‘The Big Word for Kids' have gone into homes, as a result of the Amazing Journey presentation in schools.
  • Although it has taken time, we have built relationships and won the trust of people and the ‘Youghal Baptist Group' is finding an identity in the town.

FOR THE SAKE OF THE LOST

We held our first service in December 2007, when we had a choir visiting from the Lambeg church. Between March and December 2008 we have been meeting on a monthly basis in a lovely building that the Lord has provided. We have our own key and are able to store our piano there too. Attendances average about 30 people (including children) - made up of members of the team, Midleton church members, and local people who join with us for worship. It will be a painful step for those leaving the Midleton church and it won't be easy for those who are left as they will lose Sunday School teachers and other committed members. Yet, there is that underlying conviction that ‘for the sake of the lost' we must move out of our comfort zone and, with the Lord's help, look to him to replenish the mother church and in both places, see more people coming to faith in Jesus Christ and being added to the church. Lord willing, in time, a strong and vibrant church in Youghal will be the springboard for gospel outreach into places like Ardmore, Dungarvan, Lismore and Tallow. There are thousands of people in these rural hinterlands who have little or no contact with the gospel. We would love to see a regular Bible study established in these places with the possibility of gospel churches there in the future.

WILL Y'ALL KEEP PRAYING FOR YOUGHAL?

We really desire to see more local people coming to faith in Christ in Youghal. The layers of false thinking run deep and the social, family and religious ties are also stronger in rural towns. There is a battle raging! Thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement. Sometimes it seems like nothing is really happening - so much seed sown with little, if any, lasting fruit. Compared to other parts of the world gospel growth, in Ireland, is taking a lot of time. However, we are sticking with the promise that the Lord Jesus will build his church and that nothing is impossible with God. Can He do it? Yes HE can!

Report by Mervyn Scott