Period of change for Lambeg Baptist Church
 |
 |
|
At the 'Light for Life' event are L to R: (seated) Jodie Thompson, Ryan Thompson and Demi Weir. (back row) Katherine Bell, Amy Patton, Jessica Donaldson and Robyn Chambers. |
Pastor Geoff Donaldson with his wife Rosaliene. |
LAMBEG Baptist Church is currently in the midst of a period of change.
The pastorate became vacant when Pastor Trevor Lennon left in the autumn of 2007. Church elders Geoff Donaldson and Stuart McDowell were in charge during the vacancy but in September 2009, Geoff was inducted as the new Pastor; and at the same time Leslie McCluskey joined the eldership of the church.
Geoff, who works part-time as Chaplain at Belfast Bible College, worked as Pastor in Peckam, London, prior to moving to Lisburn in January 2000. Geoff is married to Rosaliene and they have three children, Jessica, Ryan and Lisanne.
It is clearly a period of major change for the Lambeg congregation because in addition to inducting their new pastor, they have recently moved from their church building at the corner of Bells Lane and Queensway, Lambeg and are currently meeting temporarily in the former Friends Meeting House in Railway Street.
 |
 |
|
David and Debbie Davidson with Abbey and Adam pictured at the 'Light for
Life' event. |
Ray and Linda Martin with Raine pictured at the 'Light for Life' event. |
The congregation is grateful to Success NI, the current owners of the building, who have kindly allowed the use of the premises for Sunday services and regular church activities.
The recently renovated building was erected in 1853 to facilitate the growth of Quakerism in the first half of the 19th century; it replaced one built in 1793 which replaced an even earlier one, a simple thatched building, which survived the great fire of Lisburn on 20th April 1707, as it lay on the leeward side.
Lisburn Friends sold the present building in 1995 and since October 1996 have occupied a new Meeting House adjoining the Preparatory Department of Friends School.
Following the switch-on of Lisburn's Christmas lights last Friday evening (19th November) families and friends of Lambeg Baptist Church packed the historic building in Railway Street for an evening of Christian outreach aptly entitled 'Light for Life'.
Ulster Star
26/11/2010
