Team On Mission 21 - OUR YEAR SO FAR!
Newtownabbey Team
GEMMA BARCLAY:
Hey my name is Gemma. I am 18 years old and come from Whitehead. I have been a Christian for 4 years now and love witnessing God work in people’s lives. I am really enjoying my year on Team so far! We are so involved in all of the organisations in the Church and in the schools in the area. From the very start we were all welcomed into the church so quickly and I am so grateful for the support we all continue to get. We do a lot throughout the week and work with so many different young people and I just love getting to know them. I have seen God working in the young people of the church so much and I'm so excited for this to continue. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to work in Newtownabbey Methodist Mission and I'm loving every minute of it!JAYNE BLAIR:
Hello I'm Jayne and I'm 19 years old. I live in Newtownabbey and go to Newtownabbey Methodist Mission, where the team is based this year. What an amazing few months it has been!! I've been totally blown away by everything that has happened and is happening! Working in the mission is fab, such crack like and is full of so many awesome people who have been so supportive to me and my team! :) Everyday is different, even if I am going to the same places or doing the same things because each day I get to share my faith with someone new and I get to truly know the people in my community! Woop Woop! The work can be challenging and does make me step out of my comfort zone like all of the time but that is what is changing me into a new woman of God, I just love it! I pray that God continues to bless us the way He has been and that we will continue to show His unfailing love to the people in Rathcoole and may He keep opening up new, exciting opportunities for us to challenge ourselves and our own faith so that we may become stronger and stronger each day!DEREK WALKER:
Hey my name is Derek, I’m 18 and I'm from Donegal. This year I am on the stationary team which is in Newtownabbey. Team on Mission is fantastic and I am really really loving it, the time is flying past and already I have done so many things I never thought I would do. The church where we work is brilliant and we love what we do here. T.O.M is very challenging and can be tough at times but that’s the amazing thing about it because we are growing constantly in faith plus I love a challenge. God has blessed us with so much already and it's awesome to be a part of his work in the church but also in the community and everywhere we go basically. so yea T.O.M rocks, God bless.
TRAVELLING TEAM:
IAN BOAL:
My name is Ian. I’m 18 years old and I live in Belfast. My home church is Strandtown Baptist. I like listening to music such as Bluetree, U2, Pink Floyd and loads of other stuff. I really like my sport, especially football, snooker, pool and stuff like that. This year so far has been amazing. I have been blown away with what God has done so far. I’ve really enjoyed going to all the different churches and seeing what they are doing with their youth. This year I really enjoyed Autumn Soul. It was amazing, especially at worship, looking around me and seeing lots of teenagers, and adults, giving it their all in worship. I have loved getting to know new people and also I have enjoyed spending time with my team mates.ERIN FERRIS:
Hi, my name is Erin and I am 19. I come from Jordanstown and go to Whiteabbey Presbyterian. I really love music especially singing. I’ve had an amazing couple of months so far especially working in the youth fellowships and various schools. I'm really looking forward to the rest of the year ahead and what God is going to do!CIARA KNOWLES:
My name is Ciara Knowles, I’m 19 and I go to Doagh Methodist. I love music (especially singing!), drama, reading - pretty much anything artsy (which is fortunate since I'll be studying a lot more English and Drama at university next year!) I have loved TOM so far - it has been such an invaluable experience of learning, growth and giving. Can't wait for what God has in store for the rest of the year!PHILIP PATTERSON:
Hi I'm Phil. I am 19 and come from Belfast. My home church is Cregagh Methodist where I try and take an active role in the youth organisations and praise in which I play the drums. My main hobbies are drums and playing sport, mostly rugby. So far this year have been blown away by what God has been doing throughout Ireland. So far I have really enjoyed the privilege of working in schools and churches and seeing so many children and young people respond in a positive way. A highlight so far would be Follow the star (interactive telling of Nativity story) were we got to share the true meaning of Christmas with so many kids. I can't wait for what God has in store for the rest of the year.