Meet Rory Blake–Knox (OLM)
Bishop Harold has ordained church plant leader, Rory Blake–Knox, as deacon for ordained local ministry in Moneyreagh Community Church.
The service took place in Willowfield Church on Sunday 1 September and the preacher was Bishop Bill Love (Albany Diocese).
Congratulations to Rory, who tells us his story below.
I grew up in south Belfast in St. John’s Malone, but if I’m honest, drifted from regular church attendance and faith in my teens.
Thankfully, I was surrounded by strong Christian influences through family and friends. in my late teens I began going to a small group and youth club at another church along with some friends. The verse from Colossians 1:15 “He is the visible image of the invisible God”, challenged me to focus on Jesus and his call to follow him in my walk with God. I was deeply impacted by God’s word and the authenticity and loving relationships I encountered during this time and had a fresh commitment to Jesus.
Once I finished school, I began going to Willowfield Parish and was involved with a lot of the youth ministry, spending time around people who were pursuing God’s kingdom in their every day. At this stage I began to see God move powerfully in my life and those around me, seeing people deeply impacted by God’s love for them.
I was at Queen’s University studying Law and went on to a Masters in Criminal Justice, but I knew God was calling me to a different path. Looking back, He was definitely shaping me and giving me a real love for people and His community. I was also involved with an ecumenical community who challenged me about what real community could look like, living out real, loving and sacrificial lives for God and for others.
During this time, I met my wife Hannah, and we shared a strong love for South Africa, both having been on mission teams. We went on to live there for 2 years and work alongside Crosslinks. Through this experience I learned to rely on and trust God for everything and to know that he will provide my every need. I also spent a lot of time praying and seeking God over our future together, and it became clear that he had put the local Church and authentic Christian community on my heart. We returned home in 2015.
I have been serving in Moneyreagh Community Church and studying for the past 3 years and am looking forward to what the future holds and what God is doing in and through his Church.
