Influence

We're excited to share an event that we helped put on this past weekend. Through the last couple of years we've worked with our friend, Peter Rigney, with Alpha Ireland. Through a few conversations we found God leading us to help university students enhance their leadership and influence with their peers.

Influence is a movement that is committed to sharing practical ways to live as a Jesus-follower in today’s university culture. We believe that Christian life is relevant as well as revolutionary. Our desire is to support and connect college students across Ireland as they live like Jesus and communicate His love to others. We are passionate about sharing ideas through free discussion. Influence does not believe in meaningless platitudes or surface-level ideas. We want to equip students to present truth in ways that are logical and reflect the depth of God’s love and power.

Yesterday we launched what we hope is the first of many training events called Influence. We gathered with a handful of student leaders and workers from Limerick, Carlow, and Dublin to train students in connecting their friends to Jesus.

As Students for Christ Ireland, we want to partner and facilitate movements like Influence. Our mission is to equip, empower, and encourage students across Ireland to glorify God on their campuses. Please keep us in prayer as we move forward and go check out our brand new website at www.influenceireland.com!

I have to add that none of this would have been possible without the help of my (Blake's) parents. We had such a great week with them spending time together. It is a testament to their level of support that they spend their final day with us babysitting so Katy and I could both be part of the launch event. Thanks mom and dad!

Thank you for all your prayers and support. We have an amazing team!

FIVE YEARS!

I can't believe it's been five years! 

On St. Patrick's Day 2012, we landed in Dublin City with dreams in our hearts and naivety in our vision. We had no idea what we were getting into, but we haven't regretted it one single day. Our time so far in Ireland has given us the most exciting and, without a doubt, the toughest years of our lives.

I can't describe with few words the tough moments we've had here. A miscarriage, loss of family members, cultural adjustment, discovering hidden weaknesses, finding our identity, searching for purpose...it is a long list.

But the list of beautiful moments is much longer. The birth of our two amazing boys, new friends, students connected to Christ, seeing God use us, contributing to our home church (St. Mark's), contributing to the national movement of CCI, discovering hidden strengths, finding our identity/purpose, etc.

We are so blessed to call Ireland our home. We are blessed because of the people here who have taken us in as their own. We are blessed because of the beautiful people here God has called us to reach. We are blessed because of the opportunities God has given us. And we are so very blessed because of you.

Without you, people praying and supporting us, we would not be able to live this dream. Together we are a team of people committed to seeing God move in the lives of students and people of Ireland. Thank you for making the past five years possible. Thank you and well done to you for all that God has done through your generosity.

Here's the next five years in Ireland.

History Made

Since we got to Ireland five years ago, we could sense and see God moving in the area of university ministry. We've seen ministries launched and students reached. Not just through our ministry, but through many churches and ministries around the country. God is moving.

This past weekend, history was made. The first young adult conference of it's kind, Chapel Conference, was held at St. Mark's Church (SMC) in Dublin. Over 400 young people gathered to lift up the name of Jesus and pray for their nation. This generation will not be silent. They are determined to see God move in Ireland.

Chapel is the college/young adult ministry at SMC. Five years ago, they started with six students in a small upper room. Today they have over a hundred in their weekly meeting. Katy and I have seen them grow from a small group into a movement. They are an inspiration and blessing to us and this nation.

We want to give a special shout out to Daniel and Deborah Malone, who pastor Chapel. They are amazing in ministry, in life, and in friendship. Well done guys. Keep going. This is just the beginning!