Sweet Sixteen for Green Pastures
On Sunday, 12th February, we at Green Pastures Church celebrate sixteen years of ministry and what a roller-coaster it has been.
Our church emerged after a small-scale outreach at the Washbasin in Ahoghill. Starting at a more prominent sanctuary at Galgorm, today's Green Pastures is, on an even larger scale, finding its home at the present site at Faith Avenue, Ballee.
Since its establishment, progress has been remarkable, yet like any emerging venture, not without critics; hence the name of the current vision – the Nehemiah Project.
The story of Nehemiah in the Old Testament is a spiritual revival that was greatly opposed yet led to the economic regeneration of a city. Despite the obstacles and walls being destroyed, Nehemiah continued to rebuild them and finished his assignment. Against all odds, God helped people experience deliverance and restoration. Our ministry at Green Pastures is looking for similar Divine assistance for a world in hardship. Even though the project is still a long way from its endpoint, there's a steely determination to achieve the mission, which has already significantly supported the local community.
Our founding pastor, Jeff Wright, says: "God's plan has always been to bring hope, restoration and life, and so our plan and desire is to create a place where all people can stream together and find the place where hope rushes in, restoration takes over, and life in its fullest can begin. All we've ever wanted is to become the church God had in mind - a church that makes a difference for His name's sake, restores the streets to dwell in, loves, clothes, feeds, empowers, and serves the people in it. We seek to bring God back to the community centre because that's where He longs to be. We strive for church and neighbourhood revolution as we look to Him daily."
Let's be encouraged that such ambitions are already a reality as the church currently runs a twice-weekly Dream Café catering for everyone, including vulnerable community members. It also organises local food banks and street outreaches and provides a state-of-the-art gym available for all sorts. Soccer pitches are currently being built beside the exciting Green Pastures site, while Kingdom Kids provides for special needs children and Shine for special needs adults. Meanwhile, The Thrive lunch feeds senior citizens, and youth and kids' ministries are expanding weekly. If that isn't enough, there's a Furniture Bank, a Clothing Bank, and even a dedicated prison ministry.
Pastor Jeff adds: "Green Pastures is a busy place these days. Jesus always wanted to be at the centre of the community, and that vision hasn't changed. He is a 'dwell among us God.' Project Nehemiah brings fellowship with God, prosperity, restoration, and His values to the community."
Despite experiencing many hurdles, Green Pastures is focused more strongly than ever on its vision as it enters its sixteenth year. It may be no accident that the current church sits beside the Seven Towers roundabout at the entrance to the city of Ballymena, known as The Gateway. Our current premises is where the gateway to the town of Ballymena began. In the same way, the heart of Green Pastures is to be a modern-day gateway to the city's people. Through prayer and the support of God's people and our community, we believe Project Nehemiah will bring about this spiritual awakening and the resulting transformation of the town and area. Indeed, if God wants, He will accomplish that.
For now, the message is there's always a church that cares and offers a place of refuge - good news for everyone going through the current cost-of-living crisis and our tough times - but it's important to remember there's also a church full of vibrant, abundant life. Concludes Pastor Jeff: "Everyone is welcome on Sunday evening, so why not come and experience the truth of what God is truly doing in this place."
(The church's sixteenth birthday celebration is at 6.30 pm this Sunday, so see you all there!)
