Baptist church celebrates 20 years in the community

A BAPTIST church based in Ballycullen celebrated 20 years since it was founded with a well-attended event in St Colmcille’s Community School in Knocklyon on Sunday morning.

Over 160 people attended the Ballycullen Community Church’s event, which also provided an opportunity for attendees to reflect on the growth of the church.

When it was set up 20 years ago, there were only 50 parishioners who met for weekly services in a small room in Firhouse Community Centre.

Over the years, the community has grown to the extent that now 150 people attend Ballycullen Community Church’s service every Sunday in a larger space in St Colmcille’s Community School.

The pastor of Ballycullen Community Church, Jeff Hay, told The Echo: “It’s a diverse community, with people of all ages from different countries and cultures represented among us.”

The church holds a number of events every week for its members, including a bible study, a youth club, a toddler group, and church walks, with the number of attendees steadily growing.

When asked what he believes has led to the growing numbers attending his church, Pastor Hay said: “I think the main attraction is that the Bible is taught clearly and in an age-appropriate way.

“And the reality is that the people that come to the church want to come, they’re not doing it out of tradition.”

Pastor Hay added that the church members are delighted that it has reached its 20-year milestone, and he hopes Ballycullen Community Church will continue on for many years to come.

“We’re absolutely delighted that we’ve reached 20 years,” he said. “It’s very encouraging. We hope to be here for years and years – long after I’ve gone. That’s the hope and that’s the plan.”