Appointment of new Pioneer Evangelist
Newry Centre of Mission has appointed Natalie Trainor as their Pioneer Evangelist. The Centre launched in August 2020 and is a partnership between the Diocese of Down and Dromore and Church Army.
Welcoming Natalie’s appointment, Revd Captain Scott McDonald, Lead Evangelist and Rector of the Grouped Parishes of St. Patrick and St. Mary, Newry, said; “I am so pleased and encouraged to welcome Natalie Trainor to Newry as our new Pioneer Evangelist. She clearly has a very real and vibrant faith in Jesus Christ and one which is so evident in the way she lives her life. The calling and gifting of an Evangelist upon Natalie is there for all to see, and we look forward to her arrival early November.”
Natalie, who grew up in Donaghadee, currently lives there with her daughter Aimee, and is a member of the church family at Shore Street Presbyterian. She introduces herself below:
Meet Natalie
“I have worked as a Community Development Worker for the past 14 years within the public sector, responsible for the delivery of targeted Play, Youth and Community provision to members of marginalised communities throughout NI. I also am the project lead for the HEROS International programme which works to bring local marginalised youth from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and Scotland together to promote mutual understanding, respect, and co–operation through the sport of Ice–hockey. Prior to this I worked as the Family & Youth Worker at Legacurry Presbyterian Church.
“In 2019, I began to explore what I experienced as a very clear call on my life as an evangelist. This led to me completing the Evangelist Training Course with New Wine Ireland, finishing training in 2022. This course gave me space to test and affirm how I sensed God was leading me and my confidence, compulsion, and desire to follow this leading has grown. I have continued to be involved in evangelism within my local context and believe that God is calling me to devote more fully my life to serving him as an evangelist.
“I am excited to step into this with Newry Centre of Mission and have a real, felt sense that this work is mine to do. I am eager to get to know the people of Newry and see lives, families and the city transformed by the love of Jesus through evangelism that reflects God’s heart for the lost.”
Isaac Hanna, Mission Development Officer for Church Army said; “I am delighted with Natalie’s appointment to Newry Centre of Mission and have great confidence that under God, she will further build on the exceptional ministry that already exists.”