Exciting new role for Jasper
Jasper Rutherford, well known to many in the Diocese of Down and Dromore, will soon be taking up an exciting new post.
Summer Madness and Church Army have announced his appointment to the new role of Outreach and Development Officer among young people and young adults in Ireland.
Jasper will build on Summer Madness’ successful reputation in Ireland and beyond as he works to inspire thousands of young people and young adults to engage with mission.
Before training with Church Army as a Pioneer Evangelist, Jasper was a Youth Worker in Willowfield Parish in inner east Belfast for seven years. There he pioneered a variety of youth initiatives that saw real fruit grow in many young peoples’ lives who would previously never have set foot in a church.
Jasper said: “I am so excited about this post – I have had to reign myself in a bit and not get too carried away! How do young people and young adults share their faith with their friends today? Can we help them with this? Encourage them with this? Equip them in this? How can we support the local church to do this better and more intentionally?
“I am convinced God is longing for us to share him more openly with each other, and more openly with people who don’t yet know him. I hope and pray that this post will have a key role in working alongside lots of other youth organisations who are passionate to reach young people and young adults for Jesus all over Ireland.”
Mark Russell, Church Army Chief Executive, said: “Jasper is a gifted leader and Evangelist and I’m thrilled his considerable gifts will be used in this strategic new role. He is passionate about raising up a new generation of young people committed to reaching their generation for Christ, and I’m delighted Church Army is working in partnership with Summer Madness.”
John Kee, Summer Madness Chief Executive, said: “I am very excited to have Jasper working alongside us and am looking forward to what God will be doing in this new chapter of the story of Summer Madness”.
Summer Madness this year has taken a big step of faith and moved from Belfast to Glenarm Castle Estate on the Antrim Coast. Jasper will be joined on stage this year by Shane Claiborne, Duffy Robbins, Mike Pilavachi, Rend Collective and many other speakers and worship leaders. Summer Madness this year runs from Friday 29 June to Tuesday 3 July.