Colin Morris is ordained deacon
Congratulations to Revd Colin Morris who has been ordained deacon for continued ministry in St Donard’s Community Church, Dundrum. Bishop David ordained Colin along with four others at a service in Willowfield Church on Sunday 1 September. The address was given by Revd Richard Moy, National Director of SOMA UK.
Colin’s journey to ordination
Hello, my name is Colin. I am married to Jenna and we have three children: Connie, Alfie, and Eli, who are currently in Primary School. We live in Kilkeel, but I grew up in Moira and attended St John’s Sunday School there. As a child, I attended many children’s groups at different churches, which made me very familiar with the Bible. However, it wasn't until I attended a Scripture Union weekend with Lurgan College that I truly grasped that the gospel is about what Jesus has done for me. It was evident in the lives of my Christian peers the difference that made. It was then that I put my firm trust in Christ and the cross at the age of fifteen.
From that moment, I sought ways to serve God in whatever way I could – teaching Sunday School, assisting at the youth drop-in (Logic), and joining Youth for Christ teams before pursuing Theology at Union College Belfast. While studying, I took on a part-time youth worker role in Waringstown and Donaghcloney parishes before serving as a Youth Pastor at West Presbyterian, Ballymena for four years. After supporting various volunteer groups with Volunteer Now, I joined Crosslinks (BCMS) as their Staff Worker. After moving to Kilkeel, I served on Select Vestry before being licensed as a Diocesan Lay Reader in 2018. These experiences have given me a greater appreciation of the work that goes on in parishes as well as the growing gospel need both globally and here across Ireland.
In 2020, I was invited by Bishop David to establish a new ministry in St Donard’s, Dundrum. This was very much a new church plant in an old historic building. As a family, we have been incredibly blessed by witnessing God's work in the village and by the relationships with those who serve alongside us. We are looking forward to continuing the work in Dundrum, trusting in God’s faithful provision and the transformative power of the gospel for “Thus far has the LORD helped us.” (1 Samuel 7:12)
