Article by Pastor Andy Compton (Midleton Church)
I am always encouraged when I think about what God is doing among His people in County Cork. Saturday 5 June was another opportunity to contemplate the extent of His goodness in the ‘Rebel County’. It could only be described as a privilege to see a seventh church being identified within the partnership of the Cork/Kerry Project.
The hall was filled to capacity with around 150 people from the Midleton, Cork, Lee Valley, Carrigaline, Bandon and Douglas churches as well as others attending from other parts of the isle.
There was an obvious sense of unity amongst mother (Midleton) and daughter (Youghal) churches as they joined forces to provide welcome, musicians, leaders, preacher and food for the service and celebration.
The Chairman of the Baptist Missions Ireland committee Philip Brown, new Association President Rob Millar and Association Director Billy Colville, contributed during the service.
- There were a few tears as those looking on felt the significance of such a united act under God.
Billy Colville reasserted the New Testament’s definition of church, clarifying the significance of the formal act of constituting. Rob Millar gave helpful words of encouragement reminding the churches represented that they are part of a larger family of churches who share in the same cause for the Gospel. Philip Brown brought us all on a journey through the last forty years describing the formation of a church planting vision during the late seventies at Cork Baptist Church, the planting of the Carrigaline church in 1987, then Midleton in 1992, Douglas in 2006 and now Youghal, a grand daughter church of Cork birthed through the Midleton church.
As Midleton pastor, I preached from Philippians 3 challenging the Youghal and Midleton churches, especially, to ‘Press on’, ‘Prize maturity’ and ‘Perceive the right pattern for the Christian life’ in light of Jesus’ certain return for His servants.
At the end of the service, Ted Kelly, the man who nurtured a church planting vision for Cork, reflected on God’s sovereign hand over such an occasion. Ted showed us that God’s promises in the Psalms are proved to be true on days like these. Ted’s perspective was one of joy as he testified to what God does through a local church with a membership of eleven people only thirty years ago.
After the service people stayed into the evening sharing in the joy of occasion as the Midleton (mother) church played mum to all.
It was a wonderful time and another compelling reason to go on serving our Redeemer until He comes.
