Tearfund’s first regional anniversary celebration
'Forty and Forward' was the message at a special service organised by Tearfund volunteers in the North Coast area to celebrate Tearfund’s 40th birthday.
First Presbyterian Church Coleraine was the venue for the praise and thanksgiving service on 28 February. We reflected on 40 years of serving the most vulnerable and poorest communities in our world.
The event highlighted the ten-year-vision to see 50 million people released from material and spiritual poverty through a global network of 100,000 churches responding to the immense needs of a hurting world.
The guest speaker, Graham Fairburn, deputy chief executive of Tearfund, (above left) shared how he began volunteering as a young person with a passion for combating poverty and sharing God’s love.
He became the first co-ordinator here in Northern Ireland before moving to London 27 years ago where he has worked in various roles at Tearfund’s head office.
In his address he reminded us that Tearfund’s commitment to the poor has not changed. As the organisation plans for the future, we want to be flexible and proactive as we support indigenous churches to work out God’s love in communities which are in need.
Local volunteers shared their experiences of serving through the decades and of seeing lives transformed.
Many staff and volunteers participated in the programme, which was organised by Maureen and William Warnock, the senior volunteers who coordinate the 50 plus volunteers in the North Coast area.
Local volunteers shared inspiring stories , with one midwife sharing her years of involvement in Southern Sudan and serving in refugee camps in Somalia.
Others highlighted the importance of volunteers raising money through Tearcraft sales and participating in prayer groups.
The offering will go to local churches which are bringing childhood back to life to some of the 15 million children who have been orphaned as a result of AIDS.
It was a visionary evening that marked a special chapter in the life of Tearfund, and inspired all who attended to engage with our vision.