Written by Reverends Graeme and Susan Liersch
Three years ago, on a SOMA mission in Northern Ireland we visited a church plant in an estate called ‘Westwinds’ in the town of Newtownards. We were shocked to see murals of mask clad men bearing machine guns on building walls, an imposing security fence around the school, a bonfire on the football oval, three stories high, for the Orange Day Parade and finding ourselves in the middle of ulster regiment feuds.
The tension in the air and potential danger was tangible. We set about walking through the estate with James and Beatrice from Uganda (the initiators of SOMA Uganda), Henry (SOMA Northern Ireland) and Stephen (Priest in Charge of ‘Westwinds’ church plant), stopping at pivotal places to pray and invite the Holy Spirit into the estate to do His work. One immediate outcome was God averting a planned ulster feud revenge attack.
Returning to Northern Ireland for SOMA international meetings in May this year we were able to catch up with Stephen, the Priest in charge of ‘Westwinds’ three years ago, of whom we had kept in touch. Stephen told us that our mission to the ‘Westwinds’ and the prayer he experienced there had changed his life.
From that time on he felt empowered by the Holy Spirit. The ‘Westwinds’ church had grown considerably. One of the new converts is now a church leader. The ‘positivity’ fence near the shops had been finished replete with flower filled gumboots and scripture verses.
One of the ulster groups plans to paint over the military style murals and replace them with paintings of airplanes. They have also installed three crosses in their paramilitary, loyalist UVF memorial garden. The change in atmosphere at the estate was evident, from an air of threat to one of safety and peace. In addition, not long after we left Northern Ireland three years ago, Stephen was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Our prayer chain here in Wonthaggi committed to praying for Stephen as he underwent surgery. After the surgery he contracted meningitis and was in a coma for a week, not expected to live.
Not only did he live, but he is now back in full-time ministry in a new parish, which has grown by 50 people since he started. Wow, all of this because we invoked the Holy Spirit to move within this vital ministry in Northern Ireland.