Since I retired a few years ago, I have discovered a whole new world – of coffee shops! Places to slow down in; meet old friends; discover new ones. Recently I met up with John Cunningham in a little coffee shop in Moira – to have some fellowship and to hear something of his story.
John works as an evangelist for Baptist Missions and is based in Newry with his wife Grace, and daughters, Rachael and Judith. John is from a Roman Catholic background and came to faith in Christ in 1972 at the Jesus Place in Newry, run then by George Crory. John was out witnessing on the streets of Newry just a week later and since then hasn’t lost the zeal for telling people they need to trust the Lord. Although the Lord led him in different directions, John always had ‘a border area in mind’. It wasn’t until August 2005, however, that he left Fermanagh, where he had been working, and moved back to Newry. His new ministry is based there, working with Baptist Missions, and this involves reaching out from into South Armagh. Instrumental in John’s call into the work was an article on South Armagh in this magazine, by Philip Brown, called ‘Beautiful but Barren’.
John’s passion is talking to people; on the streets; in markets; wherever he can share the gospel. It’s a hard work, and often a lonely one, and I asked John what keeps him going through the tough days. Does he ever get fed up?
John: “I keep in my mind Matthew 28 verse 20 which says ‘and surely I am with you always..’, a verse which always encourages me to keep going even on the dark rainy days when no-one wants to talk to me. I remember one day in Forkhil - a long day of closed doors and barking dogs. I gave up and went down into Newry about 4.00pm, set up in the street, and God brought a man to talk to me. We talked for over an hour seeking to answer the questions he had about God and that was really encouraging. So, you see, you never know what will happen. In all this, my wife Grace is a great encourager to me and helps in all aspects of the work here. She is also my ‘organiser’.”
Eddie: “What is your approach in sharing the word of God? Any techniques you want to share?”
John: “For me, the key is knowing the scriptures and sharing these in a language people understand. I try not to use ‘evangelical jargon’ and keep things simple, talking to people at their level, in terms they use without complicating it. I start where they’re at. For example, I explain what the word ‘saved’ actually means: the importance of the crucifixion; the resurrection; all using simple language. I also share with people that none of us will get to heaven through a religious system but only through a meaningful relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ”
Eddie: “In doing this, is there a danger of watering things down?”
John: “Definitely not. I talk to people where they are, talking about the reality of sin; being totally separated from God; and the power of salvation. The people I talk to are often in crisis and need to hear what God can do in their lives. they are searching for answers to many problems in their lives and they need the Holy Spirit to reveal the Lord Jesus to them. Building up relationships is also important as I often meet the same people. You have to earn the credit to speak to people – build up credibility with them. ”
Eddie: “How would you describe the needs of South Armagh?”
John: “I would love to see churches planted across the area. With that in mind, please pray for a home, or a room, to open up for a six week ‘Christianlty Explained’ course – for one night, or even one hour, a week. I love what I do! I love the area and want people to be saved and churches formed. This may not happen in my day but I need to be faithful in planting seeds that will bear fruit in God’s time!”
Eddie: “In all the ‘busy-ness’ of ministry, what do you do to relax, John?”
John: “I train footballers in a local Gateway Club, as well as playing 5 a side football once a week. I have supported Ipswich Town since 1967!”
In conclusion, I asked John to describe himself in 6 words!
John:”That’s difficult, but here goes - dependable; jovial; argumentative; laid back; enthusiastic; chatty”
John has shared some stories of people he has come into contact with and these are below. Please continue to pray for him and his family!
- For ‘spiritual’ conversations
- That existing contacts will grow and expand
- For building up credibility for ‘repeat’ conversations
Article by Eddie Currie (Baptist Missions Support Worker)
Some encouraging stories from John:
“A stallholder in the market, who talks often about his good works, came up to me and showed me a Gideons New Testament and said he had begun to read it. He said that the Crucifixion was “mighty stuff.” The same trader, a few weeks later, asked me where in the Bible was the story of the rich fool. I gave him a Bible and showed him the story in Luke chapter 12. A few minutes later I noticed he was showing the passage to two other stallholders and talking to them about it. I hope to have more opportunities to speak to him about the Gospel”
“It was late in the day when I visited the home outside Cullyhanna on the road to Crossmaglen. I could smell the dinner being made so I did not expect to have a conversation with the lady. She accepted a magazine and we talked about some articles in it. Looking at the front cover, she said “That’s where I am going!” One of the titles was ‘From Ireland to Eternity -are we on the road to Hell?’ I was surprised to hear her say this and spoke to her about Jesus being the only way to heaven and salvation. I also told her about the ‘Christianity Explained’ Course and left her a leaflet ‘Where is God when trouble comes?’ “
“A lady came up to the table on the street and I gave her a leaflet. She asked me what the title of the booklet ‘Where is God when trouble comes?’ meant. She said “God is with me every day!” I chatted to her and tried to explain what the booklet was about and spoke to her about the Gospel. She listened and said “I talk to God and the saints.” I spoke to her about Christianity Explained and asked her to come back again so that we could talk more.”
“We resumed the Bible study after the summer in Eddie’s home on the 1st September, studying the parables of Jesus in Matthew 13. I was sharing how a person is saved and how the Holy Spirit comes into a life. The discussion was great and the Lord was really speaking to all in the room. Then Eddie said. ‘The hairs are not standing on my arm; they are standing on my whole body.’ I felt a sense of the presence of the Lord with us that night.’”
“An alcoholic came to me on the street as I was setting up. He told me that he had been off the drink for six months and had been over to London to see his daughter, who is a heroin addict. He was distressed about his daughter and also his friend Joe who had recently died. His daughter is getting help and I promised that we would pray for him and his daughter in the prayer meeting that evening.”