Faith gives Xpression in Portadown
Three of our parishes in Down and Dromore are part of Xpression, a large youth initiative to serve in practical ways the towns of Portadown and Craigavon.
Young people from the parishes of Seagoe, Knocknamuckley and Craigavon will be some of the 400 volunteers hard at work in Portadown Town Centre, Killycomain, Garvaghy, Brownstown and Corcrain, as well as Craigavon and Richhill.
"This is the 6th annual Xpression week and it has been an immense encouragement to see how it has grown each year and how through it God has been at work in the lives of the volunteers, as well as the people we meet," says Revd Malcolm Kingston, one of the organisers.
"The teenagers are mostly young people who are committed disciples," continues Malcolm. "There are always some who maybe wouldn't consider themselves as Christians, but come along with their friends. Thankfully, in previous years, many of these young people have become Christians during Xpression week. It is really interesting how worship and service really challenges people! The verse for the week is 'For nothing is impossible with God' (Luke 1v37) and is printed on all our t-shirts."
Bishop Harold was the speaker at yesterday's morning meeting which was attended by several hundred young people.The volunteers and leaders spend time in worship and hear stories from the previous day, a message and some practical stuff for the day ahead. They then have lunch before dispersing to the various areas.
"It was very exciting to be among such a large number of young people working and worshipping together," said the Bishop, "and I have no doubt that they will make a very positive impression on the area and the people they are serving."