The Congregation
Waringstown Presbyterian Church is a growing member congregation
of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Located in the expanding
town of Waringstown, it is a congregation made up of a wide
range of age groups, united in the church’s stated mission which
is ‘to know Jesus Christ and make Him known’.
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The Minister |
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Philip McConnell has been Minister in Waringstown since
1995. For most of his early life he grew up in Lisburn, Co
Antrim. After school, he graduated in Education
(specialising in Art and Music), from The
Queen’s University
in Belfast, and taught for a number of years in South
Belfast. Thereafter, he studied Theology at The
Union
Theological College, Belfast, at
St Paul’s United
Theological College, Kenya, and Ethics and Philosophy of
Religion at the
University of Ulster. From 1991 – 1995 he
served as Assistant Minister in
Carnmoney Presbyterian Church, Belfast.
He traces his conversion to Christ as a boy, to the ministry
of CSSM (Portrush) prepared for and honed by the particular
influence of his Christian heritage within his family for
generations.
He is married to Elaine, and they have three sons; Tom,
Peter and Ross.
A sometime keen hockey player, his |
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interests now include more pedestrian activities such as
travel, music and enjoying good food.
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Pastoral Associate |
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Russell Birney is Pastoral Associate at Waringstown Presbyterian Church where his brief includes preaching, pastoring and developing our ministry to men.
Russell is the Minister Emeritus of High Kirk Congregation, Ballymena, where he ministered from 1982 until his retirement in 2005. On joining Waringstown he was invited to become a member of staff (on a part time basis).
Russell spent his early days in Lisnaskea, Co.Fermanagh. While working in the family business he sensed God calling him into Christian ministry. In preparation for ministry he studied Arts at Trinity College Dublin and theology at Edinburgh University.
After completing his Assistantship in First |
Carrickfergus, he ministered in Downshire Road, Newry. He holds the degree of Doctor of Ministry from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (USA), and Doctor of Divinity (PTFI). His enthusiastic contribution to the wider Church was recognised in 2002 when he was elected as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
While in his younger days he was a keen sportsman he now enjoys watching sport, camping, walking and reading. He is married to Arline, and they have three grown-up daughters, and three grandchildren. |
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Director of Youth and Community Ministries |
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Neil Harrison has been the Pastor of Youth and Community
Ministries since May 2006 and has responsibility for young
people (primarily aged 11-21) both within and outside of the
church family. His main responsibilities lie with the
following programmes:
- Fusion: discipleship for 11-14’s
- 20:20: discipleship for 15-21’s
- Detached youth work
- ‘The Basement’ youth centre
Neil grew up in Waringstown and on leaving school
completed a degree in Accounting at
Queen’s University before
joining Youth for Christ as a voluntary youth worker for 3
years. During this time he completed a MA in Community
Education which led him into full-time employment with YFC
managing a local |
drop-in centre in Monkstown for a further 2
years.
He became a Christian when he was 17 primarily influenced by
witnessing Christ changing the lives of close friends around
him.
He loves to spend time with close family and friends and
enjoys squash, snow-boarding, mountain walking, reading,
concerts, Settlers of Catan, travelling, playing guitar,
going to the gym and watching 24. |
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Church Administrator |
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Mrs. Barbara Bailie is the Church Administrator She works in
the church office on Tuesdays and Thursday from 11.00am to
5.00pm, helping to ensure that the affairs of the church run
smoothly and efficiently. |
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