There are times that we battle long and hard for a breakthrough and there are times that we are simply swept up into God’s bigger plan, and become aware how much we are dependent on his Grace. We recently experienced one of those moments when the Lord just took us by surprise.... I was actually on a teaching trip on the island of Malta when I received a call on my mobile phone... Harry Smith an Irish Christian leader wanted to talk.. I pulled off the bumpy road and parked the rental car by a grove of trees to take the call...

Harry leads the Christian Renewal Centre in Rostrevor a border town in Northern Ireland. The centre founded in 1974 by Cecil and Myrtle Kerr has been a place where Catholics and Protestants have come together over many years. During some of the darkest days of ‘The Irish Troubles’, ex-paramilitaries and Christian leaders met in the centre to pray for peace, seek forgiveness and build relationships.

Harry explained how they felt they’d completed the work the Lord had given them to do in Rostrevor and that the time had come for them to move on to fresh things. Harry went on to say the Board wanted to pass the property over to another ministry - to this end they had invited several ministries to forward proposals on how they might use the facilities. Harry was ringing to specifically ask if YWAM Ireland would submit a proposal. I outlined that Jonny Clark was now the leader for YWAM’s work on the island of Ireland. I promised to contact Jonny immediately but assured Harry we would forward a proposal. Following a flurry of phone calls, emails, a YWAM Board Meeting and considerable prayer we sent in a simple proposal on how we imagined we might use the place as a training centre and as a gathering place for Christian leaders in Ireland.

We were the last group to submit a proposal and the last group to go to interview just before the Christmas break.. Leaders from the centre rang me again in January asking if we might be free to come and meet with the board again.. And to make a long story short, at a meeting on the 16th of January the board told us that they had decided unanimously to give the property to YWAM. We were well.. blown away!!

The property is amazing. It faces immediately onto Carlingford Lough, and has fantastic views the hills of Ireland to the South. Behind the house is a Forest park with tracks up into the beautiful mountains of Mourne. It is 50 minutes to Belfast and 90 minutes to Dublin on newly laid motor-way. The building sleeps about 70 in total and includes 5 Apartments. More than anything it has a tremendous spiritual legacy and we feel hugely privileged to have the opportunity to carry on in the footsteps of those who have been such towering Christian leaders in Ireland.

It is a moment of grace. God has been very good to us beyond our wildest dreams. It is good news and a real encouragement to Jonny as he steps out in leadership. (He is an outstanding leader) I is an affirmation of the decision to bring our YWAM works in the North and the South together and I believe it is an affirmation of our commitment to work ecumenically with all the Christian Churches. In this sense it is a real encouragement to Kerygma Teams.