‍MONDAY & TUESDAY 10 & 11 NOVEMBER

My week begins at the Northern Ireland Ministry Assembly. Having recently joined the NIMA Steering Group, I’m able to play a small part in encouraging and equipping church leaders for the vital work of preaching God’s word. It also enables me to sit under some wonderful teaching and enjoy rich fellowship, which is important, as the role of a missionary representative can sometimes be quite lonely and isolating. In addition, such conferences provide valuable opportunities to network for EMF.

WEDNESDAY 12 NOVEMBER

As usual, the EMF staff meet to have our weekly team meeting today. This is an important time to share updates, coordinate our activities, and plan for the future.

In the afternoon, I prepare for next week's twice-yearly EMF NI Council meeting. The council members are ministers from the main NI denominations, each with a deep love, understanding and commitment to the mission's work. They hold me accountable, offer valuable advice and encouragement, and help promote our work throughout NI. I’m so thankful for these dear brothers!

After this, I return home to make several phone calls – some to plan future speaking engagements, and others to assist ministers whose churches are considering an EMF partnership. The number of NI churches interested in developing a specific link with one of our workers continues to grow (almost 60 now!). Guiding churches through this process takes considerable time and effort, but seeing these new relationships begin to flourish is by far my favourite aspect of the job! What a joy it is to see churches - sometimes from the opposite ends of our continent - developing deep connections, praying together, learning from one another, and even visiting each other!

In the evening, I’m off on the road again to speak at Moira Presbyterian Church. This is roughly a 100-mile round journey, which is quite typical. Most weeks, I travel to speak in three or four churches – usually for midweek meetings and Sunday services. I’m thankful for the strong support base we have here in NI and know that many of these opportunities exist because of the hard work of my predecessors, such as Rev. Tom McKendry, the late Michael Grant, and others.

THURSDAY 13 NOVEMBER

This morning starts with our normal staff prayer meeting, where each week we pray for all of our missionaries.

After this, I’m back in the car to meet a pastor who has just moved into the area to take up his first charge. Building relationships with like-minded church leaders is right at the heart of all I do, so I always make time for informal meetings like this over a coffee.

In the afternoon, I’m in touch with EMF’s new NI Youth Development Lead, Sam Hamilton. Alongside helping him find opportunities to serve NI churches in their youth fellowships, student ministries, and young adults’ groups, and school Scripture Unions, we are planning to launch two new EMF Go Europe teams for summer 2026. We long to see a new generation of supporters enthused and engaged in gospel work in Europe!

FRIDAY 14 NOVEMBER

Today I have some last-minute preparation to finish for the visit of our next missionary, Antonio De Noia, who is coming on deputation. Having already arranged a full schedule of meetings for him, all that remains is to collect him from the airport.

Each year, six or seven missionaries stay in our home for eight or nine days at a time. I’m so thankful for my wife, Zelda, and our children, who love to welcome, serve and get to know so many members of the EMF family. What a privilege!

SATURDAY 15 NOVEMBER

It’s a more relaxed day today, thankfully. Antonio and I have breakfast with a local pastor, and in the evening, we enjoy a meal in our home with Sam and his wife, Lydia.

SUNDAY 16 NOVEMBER

Sundays are almost always very busy – especially when a missionary is visiting. In the morning, Antonio and I share in Clough Presbyterian Church and then have lunch with the minister and Clerk of Session. It’s a lovely time of fellowship! After a short rest at home, we set off on the long journey to Ahorey Presbyterian Church. Both churches have partnered with Antonio for several years now, and it is such a blessing to see the love and affection they have for him and Anna.

We arrive home late and tired, but very, very thankful for a day full of opportunities and encouragements.

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