Crossmaglen is the largest town in South Armagh and has featured in many newspaper articles over the last 40 years.  It is dominated by the Square (and a hotel) in the middle of the town, where a market is held on the first and third Fridays in the month.  Since June 2010 a small team has gone regularly to the market where we have shared the gospel with people from the area and beyond.  There have been a number of interesting conversations with shoppers and traders.  One man (M) spoke to us for almost an hour on how to forgive those who almost beat him to death.  That contact is ongoing.  On another occasion, a trader, whom we now know well, was struggling and said to me, “if there is a God, what is he doing to help us with this economy?”  

God has been preparing the way

Calendars were distributed to every home, shop and business in the town around Christmas and there have been some responses which I have been able to follow up.  One man phoned to thank us for the calendar and said that his brother had just been buried - he was one of ‘The Disappeared’. I have returned to some of the homes of recent contacts.  A young man called J. invited me into his home.  His mother and two of his brothers were there and were in the middle of a religious discussion.  They talked about atheism and we discussed some topics from the Bible for half an hour. They asked me to call back any time. I visited another man whose friend died from suicide.  He is finding life very difficult at the moment. 

We have been very aware that God has been preparing the way before us as people are willing to speak about real issues in their lives.

The Amazing Journey

As we are now working into the Crossmaglen area we considered the possibility of using the Amazing Journey as a means of outreach in that area (We have used this every useful tool in 9 other schools in the Newry area over the past 5 years).  After consultation with the principals, and without any opposition, we had the opportunity to present the Amazing Journey Exhibition in St. Patrick’s P.S. in Cullyhanna and in St. Patrick’s P.S. in Crossmaglen.  In both these schools we were made feel very welcome.  The pupils listened well and enjoyed participating in the activities.  One principal asked us to ‘keep in touch’ and our AJ team of helpers had coffee with the other principal.

Over 500 A J packs (containing St. Luke’s gospel etc) were distributed to children and staff in these two schools and to date we have received 24 requests for New Testaments (15 of these have come from 1 class including the teacher). 

God has answered prayers for openness and we look to Him to call people to Himself.

Ordinary people in Crossmaglen

Ordinary people in Crossmaglen are trying to find answers to many of the issues we all face - family difficulties; relationships; or issues surrounding forgiveness. However the greatest need is for salvation.  The long term goal is to plant a Church in the area but meantime we must pray and proclaim Christ to those we meet. 

We are trusting that the possibility of a Bible Study in Crossmaglen will become a reality!

Please pray that the people of Crossmaglen and other towns and villages in South Armagh will realise the significance of the Cross and that they will find the Living Saviour of the Cross.

Jesus commanded us to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always even to the very end of the age.” Mt 28:19-20.

Report by John & Grace Cunningham (Newry/South Armagh)