Revd Willie Nixon instituted in Banbridge
Congratulations to Revd Willie Nixon who was instituted as Incumbent of the Parish of Seapatrick, Banbridge, on Tuesday 20 August. Willie's preacher was Revd Trevor Johnston, a ministry colleague and fellow student at the Theological College in Dublin. Trevor is rector of All Saints Church and minister of St Nicholas' Church in the Diocese of Connor. He preached on Acts 20.
Meet Revd Willie Nixon
My faith journey began in a Christian home in Co. Fermanagh. From my earliest memories, life for us revolved around three things: family gatherings, farming and Magheracross Parish Church. The life of the local Church of Ireland parish was very much at the centre of everything as I grew up and it was there in my family, and local parish, that my faith in Jesus was born, nourished and grown. My parents gave a great example of putting Jesus and his things at the centre of home life.
I will always give thanks for the ministry of all those who served us in Magheracross, both lay and ordained, and in particular for the ministry of Revd Paul Hoey and his team of helpers in the then 'Clogher Diocesan Youth Fellowship'. My hunger to serve the Lord was formed by the work of the Holy Spirit in that Youth Fellowship.
I am also thankful for the encouragement to minister that I received from the late Revd Harry Trimble and his wife Ruby at Magheracross. All part of God’s call to serve.
Aged 13, I found myself committing in a personal way to follow Jesus in repentance and faith, although I was already convinced of the Lord as a young child attending Sunday School.
Very shortly afterwards, an already formed call to ordained ministry became increasingly real.
After studying for a degree from the Faculty of Agriculture at Reading University, where I met my now wife Caroline (Caz), I came home to work alongside my parents on the family dairy farm. That, alongside some part-time lecturing at Greenmount College of Agriculture, kept me busy, but there was a growing sense of laying down my life as a farmer and being ordained. Caroline also grew up in the heart of church life and was greatly encouraged in the faith through the fellowship of Christ Church Beckenham, in London.
Over time the Holy Spirit persisted in calling me to ordination and thanks to a mission in Ballinamallard Methodist Church I surrendered to the call of the Lord and offered myself for full-time ministry. I began to train in September 1997 and was both ordained and got married to Caroline in the year 2000. Caroline is a Primary three teacher at Harmony Hill Primary in Lisburn. Caroline loves her work there and is blessed by a wonderful staff-team around her.
Since ordination, we have ministered in 5 very different contexts and the journey this far in ministry has been fruitful in the Lord, with each piece of the jigsaw being used by Him to do His work. Whether in hard times or joyful times I can testify that His grace has always been sufficient, His provision immeasurably more than I could have imagined and His ministry a thing of power and goodness, as I have watched lives blessed, faith enriched, hearts comforted, and souls eternally transformed. To God be the honour and glory.
Along the way, we have been blessed with two daughters, Anna and Alice, a son Sam. They are all committed to the Lord Jesus, which is the greatest blessing we could have in our lives.
Nothing is more important to me than those we love having living faith in Jesus. Salvation is found in no-one else.
My heart is to see all I minister to enjoying a vibrant, personal and spirit-filled walk with the Lord. Life in the Spirit is what God promises us in Scripture. To those very Scriptures I will hold fast with a submissive heart and mind. I love teaching the Bible and watching God's Church grow as it feeds on and surrenders to His living Word.
We are now safely settled into our beautiful newly refurbished home and have already felt the warmth of the welcome of the Parish in cards, buns, cakes, flowers and messages. Thank you to everyone who has made preparation for us coming and especially for the lovely home you have provided for us.
May the joy of the Lord fill us, the presence of the Lord humble us and grace of the Lord lead us into growth as we work in harmony as God's team called together at this time in Banbridge Church of Ireland.
There is much to do, but in the power of the Holy Spirit we are confident that what the Lord has begun among us He will bring to completion.
In Christ
Willie
Deuteronomy 18:15, Proverbs 16:9
