Equipped to Welcome, Enabled to Belong

Equipped to Welcome and Enabled to Belong 2024 took place on 23rd November at Glenabbey Church with over 50 people in attendance, a mix of folks from Northern Ireland as well as many friends from other nations who find NI as their new home.

Ivan Steen from South Kirk Presbyterian and Samuel Luak from Welcome Churches spoke very powerfully at the two plenary sessions.

Ivan helped us think through how God’s vision for the future can be seen in Revelation 7:

‘After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. ¹⁰ And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.” (Rev 7:9-10)

One day people of every tribe, language and nation will worship the Lord together. How can we, in the church in NI, see this come to be now, as we seek God’s kingdom here on earth as it is heaven. In what ways are we prepared to change as we welcome those from other nations into our churches here? How can we keep God’s vision for the future central?

Samuel Luak shared from his personal journey as someone who came to Europe seeking refuge. He encouraged us to remember that while millions of people across the world may be on the move for a myriad of reasons, God is also on the move and is at work. We now can make disciples of all nations right here in Northern Ireland. He challenged us to think through if our hearts are wide open to those that God is bringing here?! God is sending his people from other nations here to encourage and strengthen. How can we be united together?

Nathaniel Jennings from OMF, Kerry Fee from Windsor Baptist, Noah Bartlett from ECM, Patrick Purdy and Emily Shepherd from Welcome Churches and two other facilitators led our seminar programme which looked at topics such as - What it means to belong in a new country and culture? How to navigate cultural differences? What does it look like to lead an intercultural Church and what can Intercultural worship look like? as well as other important topics.

Feedback from those in attendance indicated that they found the time together excellent, inspirational and educational. It was an encouraging and stimulating day! MAP and Welcome Churches look forward to hosting future training events building on our time together.