Those That Have Gone Before Us

Last week I posted a blog, "Religion Dead in Europe?" The leader of the Assemblies of God, Ireland (AGI) posted a comment that I must share with you. Gary Davidson is an amazing leader, discipler, pastor, mentor, and friend. He and his wife, Wilma, have spent over 30 years giving their lives to the people of Ireland. I want you to read his comments, hear his heart, and be moved by his response.

"It is photos like the above that continue to 'break my heart' after 31 years of ministry in the Emerald Isle. Near where one of our thriving congregations is a lovely church building that has become a mosque [pictured above: built in the 1860's this was formerly a Presbyterian church]...yet we have also been privileged to see three former 'abandoned' church buildings reopened and now house thriving congregations. Yesterday I ministered in one of them...St. Mark's...two morning services that were full with the second with standing room! People were saved and filled with the Spirit and we prayed for two hours with hungry souls. Old wells being reopened...Alleluia!!!"

In May of 1980, Gary and Wilma Davidson left their home in Oklahoma and moved to Dublin, Ireland, where they still minister today. They have planted churches, they have seen hundreds of individuals respond to Christ, discipled pastors, and are currently leading the entire AGI movement. Gary and Wilma truly are heroes of the faith. They are world-changers and Kingdom-builders to the core of their souls. God has done and continues to do amazing things through Gary and Wilma.

Gary and Wilma were instrumental in Katy's and my decision to move to Ireland. Our endeavors in seeing a student ministry raised up in colleges in Dublin will be in partnership with the first church Gary and Wilma planted, St. Mark's Church, now one of the largest congregations in the Republic of Ireland. You can see Gary standing in front of St. Mark's Church in the picture below.

We are standing on the foundation they have established through the national church. We will be reaching students, because they chose to reach the nation of Ireland. I am thankful for those that have gone before us. To change a nation, generation after generation must be committed to building The Kingdom.

Posted on Sun, April 3, 2011 by Blake Edgmon filed under

support team,

3 comments (Add your own)

1. John Johnson wrote:: Post Modernism - the term we use to describe the "philosophical" temperature of the newest generations to come on line has been the underlying attitude of Europe for several decades now. In fact, Europe as a whole began to turn toward Post Modern thinking shortly after WW II. Since America has such a large number of very conservative "christian" influences deeply entrenched in our culture is has taken longer for us to come around. However, I agree, we are just a decade or so behind Europe and catching up quickly.

Oh, if you are wondering about a more practical definition of post-modern? Just insert the word "christian" where the word "modern" goes and you'll have it (at least from the evangelical perspective).
Mon, April 4, 2011 @ 8:08 AM
2. Phil Goss wrote:: It's amazing how intertwined we all are. Gary and Wilma ministered at the church we were attending in about 1985. He was close friends with one of our close friends and we became good friends. I also began to do his tax work. He was my first missionary tax client and now I do over 100 missionaries' tax returns. Also, our son Steve and his wife Erin spent two years there with the Davidson's as missionary associates.
Mon, April 4, 2011 @ 8:20 AM
3. Antichrist wrote:: Christians go home. Ireland for the Irish, not for London, nor for Rome.

I love my country and I embrace the new multicultural Ireland. I love meeting people from different cultures. However, religion is different. After all the pain, hurt and suffering caused by religion, I cannot respect it. Don't you people have any shame? Religion is not a culture nor a part of it but seeks to destroy and replace cultural elements with a global belief system. The only colonizers in Ireland that came close to the British were the Christians.

The world would be a better place without you. I am not talking about god by the way as a belief in god is something I respect. I do not however respect extremely wealthy organizations that prey on the poor, the weak and the meek.
Tue, October 18, 2011 @ 5:08 PM

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