Trip to Tralee
A trip to county Kerry had been planned since 2019, but due to circumstances and then the pandemic, the trip had not taken place. Finally, in November 2023 we had the opportunity to travel to Tralee to provide training for Tralee Baptist Church.
A trip to county Kerry had been planned since 2019, but due to circumstances and then the pandemic, the trip had not taken place. Finally, in November 2023 we had the opportunity to travel to Tralee to provide training for Tralee Baptist Church.
The pastor of the church is John Herrick, an American who has been ministering in Tralee for 35 years. John and his wife Amanda have been using Precept material for many years (Amanda first heard of Precept in 1998) and have alternated between 40 Minute studies and Precept Upon Precept workbooks. They have been active supporters of Precept Ireland, often attending online events. John and his wife Amanda announced that they were moving to begin work with another church in County Cork, and so a renewed effort was made to visit them in Tralee to bless them and the church.
On the morning of Friday 24th November, the staff team (Karen, Ben, Gavin, and Dave), left to make the journey down – a distance of nearly 300 miles from Belfast. We arrived at our accommodation in the evening, a B&B that was kindly gifted by two members of the church.
On the Saturday (10 AM - 2 PM) we ran three workshops at the Rose Hotel, Tralee:
Introduction to Inductive Bible Study
How to lead a 40-Minute Study
Introduction to Precept Upon Precept and In & Out studies
“Every Bible college, every seminary, ought to teach this kind of approach to Bible study because it’s really helped me in my understanding and ministry of the Scriptures.” - Pastor John Herrick, Tralee Baptist Church
We also brought a resource table which was well received and allowed attendees to see the various types of resources available.
After our workshop on Saturday afternoon, we went to John and Amanda’s home to hear of their experience of Tralee, learn more about local churches in the area, and hear about the future ministry they will be involved in.
On Saturday evening we went out for dinner and spent time with the church leadership (two elders, two deacons, and their wives). This was a good opportunity to chat and build a relationship with those who will be remaining at the church after the pastor leaves.
On Sunday, the team worshipped with the church and Dave had the opportunity to share about Precept and the work we are involved in. It was great to hear Pastor John preach on Jonah 4 and the clear demonstration of his own inductive study skills that he used to prepare for the sermon.
Our time in Tralee was a great encouragement to us as a ministry as we enjoyed fellowship and saw God at work in and through His people. Pray with us that in 2024 we will have many more opportunities to run events like this.
To find out more about how you can partner with us, click the button below.
Southwest Visit
We are delighted to be spending the weekend with Tralee Baptist Church from 24th - 26th November in County Kerry.
We are delighted to be spending the weekend with Tralee Baptist Church from 24th - 26th November in County Kerry.
We will be delivering a couple of workshops to the church on Saturday 25th and sharing with them on Sunday 26th during their Sunday worship time. There are a few ways that you can be involved in this trip!
1) Finance: As a small ministry seeking to build up the church across Ireland, trips like this are only made possible through the generosity of believers and churches who see the value in equipping Christians to read the Bible for themselves.
If you would like to make a gift to support this trip, or help us with future trips, please consider making a donation either through Stewardship, or by contacting us directly. Any gifts that are specifically for this trip should be earmarked “Southwest23” and it will all go towards this initiative.
2) Let people know: We have set aside time on Friday night and Saturday afternoon to meet with church leaders in that area as we want to connect with others and hear about their churches and the ministries they are involved in. If you know a church leader in that area, please tell them we’re going to be about! And pass on our email address: info@preceptireland.org. (P.S. We’ll buy them a coffee!)
3) Pray: Please pray for us as we leave Belfast on Friday 24th. It is a long drive to County Kerry, so prayers for safety in travel there and back are needed. Pray too that our workshops and training will bring benefit to the church in Tralee and for opportunities to share about Precept with others in the region.
Thank you for supporting us!
Blessings,
Dave
National Director
A Prayer of Saint Patrick
On Saint Patrick’s Day we take a moment to reflect on a prayer of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who is widely regarded with bringing Christianity to our island.
(Photo: Saul Church, Downpatrick. From Tourism Northern Ireland)
On Saint Patrick’s Day we take a moment to reflect on a prayer of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who is widely regarded with bringing Christianity to our island.
Though there is some evidence of Christian influence before him, he is considered one of the first missionaries to Ireland who led many people to Christ and helped establish the early church. The Breastplate of Saint Patrick is a prayer attributed to him, and is a call for protection, but includes an appeal to God that Christ would be evident in every aspect of our lives; our words, actions and thoughts.
Many centuries later, we can pray these words too, desiring just as Saint Patrick did, that Christ would be first and foremost in our lives.
“Críost liom, Críost romham,
Críost i mo dhiaidh, Críost istigh ionam,
Críost fúm, Críost os mo chionn,
Críost ar mo lámh dheis, Críost ar mo lámh chlé,
Críost i mo luí dom, Críost i mo sheasamh dom,
Críost i gcroí gach duine atá ag cuimhneamh orm,
Críost i mbéal gach duine a labhraíonn liom,
Críost i ngach súil a fhéachann orm,
Críost i ngach cluas a éisteann liom.”
“Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ below me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left hand,
Christ in my sleeping, Christ in my waking,
Christ in the heart of all who think of me,
Christ in the mouth of all who speak to me,
Christ in every eye that looks at me,
Christ in every ear that listens to me.”
Saint Patrick’s Breastplate, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick%27s_Breastplate
St. Patrick’s Breastplate: the prayer of Ireland's patron saint, IrishCentral.com, https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/st-patricks-breastplate-prayer-irelands-patron-saint
The Saint Patrick Centre, Downpatrick, https://www.saintpatrickcentre.com