United in Hope concert

United in Hope concert

 

Around 300 people came together for our first event at City Life Centre. My sincere thanks to those who came along to encourage and support us in this event. It was great to see Pastor John Legge and his family with us; Pastor Jim Armour and Billy Bell; Pastor Duncan Hanson from South Africa, his wife Tanya and daughter Nicole; Dr. Cecil Stewart and Robert Robinson, Patron of the Waterford Omagh Peace Choir. Please forgive me if you were there and I did not see you on the night, or mention you, either then or in this email.

 

The New Life Worship Team led us in an amazing time of praise and worship as voices and hearts joined together for no other reason than to lift up the name of Jesus as the one who gives true and lasting hope. They led us in songs like "Tear Down These Walls" and "There's more to be done in this city". God knows there is more to be done, but not only in the city, but also in the church!!! These past 7 weeks have shown me there is an openess for change in the community, but an inability to properly properly embrace change, while the church (New Life included) shows an ability to organise "services" but an inability to serve and to assist change (and yes, I do mean change that's of God). We can sing about; we can pray for it; we can preach it; yet fail to embrace it. I pray God will challenge my heart and channel my actions to see that walls are torn down and that more is done in the city and in the church to unite us in him and to him and to each other.     

 

 

 

                                                  

 

Soon the platform was graced with an awe inspiring group of young people as the Waterford and Omagh Choir stepped up to take the stage. The people were immediately captivated by their talent and their sincerity as they sang and played and shared a little bit of what brought them together.

 

                           

 

Every song they sang was a heart felt song that brought a dynamic that was of God. Every person in the choir has their own individual story that includes not only pain, but a desire to walk with God. The young woman in the centre of the picture on the right above is from Omagh. Her sister lost her eyes in the Omagh Bomb, but her desire is to look to Jesus as the giver of hope.   

 

 

 

May God help us to be salt and light and to be a God influence to our city and beyond.

 

Jack