Northern Ireland
What began in the late 1960s as a struggle for Catholic civil rights in largely Protestant Northern Ireland lead to 30 years of hatred, violence and bloodshed. Although a peaceful accord was reached in 1998, the memories of the political and civil unrest haunt an entire generation.
It is in this setting that Project Evangelism conducts outreach ministry among the youth of Dundrum, Newcastle and surrounding areas of Northern Ireland. An entire generation has known nothing but enmity between Protestants and Catholics. The religion of their parents and grandparents fails to provide answers to the questions posed by the world around them. There is a great void in their hearts – a void that far too many young people attempt to fill with dangerous and damaging substitutes.
Using a 150 year-old estate house as a headquarters, Project Evangelism seeks to present examples of healthy Christian relationships by joining short-term ministry teams from around the world with the youth of Northern Ireland. Ministry includes children's programs (such as Vacation Bible Schools), working alongside local churches, and specific outreach events. Teams engage in soccer games and camps, puppet ministry, drama and visiting schools to lead religious education classes and school assemblies. A coffee house (Kairos Center) presents a alternative place to hang out, listen to music, and discuss matters of real importance for teens.
Since May 2007, a Liebenzell USA missionary has been involved full time in the work of Project Evangelism. During the busy summer months, they will be guiding and assisting short-term teams in their outreach ministries. In the fall and winter, the focus will be on the youth themselves, building relationships which will allow the gospel to naturally flow into young lives.
Ministry Needs:
• More short-term mission teams to come and reach out to youth
Prayer Requests:
• For wisdom and discernment in making decisions regarding summer ministry
• For a committed team of Irish Christians who would feel a burden to reach out to their community
• To build and strengthen the bridges between the Kairos Center and local churches.
• Local teens have recently been deeply shaken by the drug-related death of one of their peers