Presbyterian Church in Ireland - Mission Overseas - Deputation Training: A stimulating and encouraging day of learning and relection

16th October 2009

Yesterday's deputation training held in Wellington Presbyterian Church in Ballymena proved to be a stimulating and encouraging day of interaction between facilitators and participants, opening up new understandings on how to communicate effectively through deputation speaking.

Coming a little later in the year than normal, this day of training was attended by nine mission personnel on home assignment, one candidate preparing to go overseas early next year, two members of BMO's Executive staff team and two training facilitators.

Time was mainly spent looking at two topics:

'Finding our place in God's story' - understanding where we in the Church fit into God's plan for His creation and His mission to redeem a fallen world. Facilitation was by Rev Peter McDowell, minister of Garnerville Presbyterian Church and ex-missionary to Nepal.

'Telling Your Story' - thinking about creative ways, under God's Spirit, of sharing the story of His involvement in individual's lives and the situations in which they are (or have been) serving overseas. Facilitation was by Maurice McNicholl, ex-missionary to Malawi.

An interactive and participative approach to training, involving discussion, sharing of experiences and personal stories along with time to reflect, enabled everyone to gain new insights into ways of telling the story of God's work in their lives and the situations they have been serving in overseas.

The excellent facilities, along with the warmth of welcome and sustenance provided by the 'duty team' in Wellington Presbyterian, were greatly appreciated by everyone. A big 'Thank you' to those who served everyone's needs so well!


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