Minister settling into new church

Minister settling into new church

25 June 2014

DOWNPATRICK Presbyterian Church’s new minister is loving his job. Rev. Owen Patterson — who was installed last month — is a keen football fan and is currently enjoying watching the globe’s top footballers in action at the World Cup.

The Manchester United fan, who is also a keen fisherman and father of three young boys, has settled in well with his wife Lisa at the Strangford Road Manse.

He has been mightily impressed with the friendliness of local people and has already met the clergy in charge of the town’s other main churches, also describing them as “most welcoming.”

Mr. Patterson said he is “delighted” to be in charge of the Fountain Street church in Downpatrick and the Presbyterian Church in Ardglass.

Having grown up in Kilkenny, he spent a decade teaching children with moderate learning difficulties in Belfast before moving into full-time bible ministry which led to three years of study for his Bachelor of Divinity degree at Queen’s University.

The 39 year-old spent some time during his university studies working at The Village area in Belfast before he worked as assistant to the Rev. James Hyndman at First Saintfield Presbyterian Church where he was also in charge for around a year during a vacancy when Mr. Hyndman decided to further his studies.

Mr. Patterson said the church has always been a major influence in his life before six years agowhen he applied to the ministry. The call to serve God was one Mr. Patterson readily accepted.

“Downpatrick Presbyterian is my first church and I have been made so welcome by so many people,” he said.

“Without doubt, Downpatrick is a very, very friendly town and I know my family and I will be very much at home here. I had driven through the town on many occasions but my calling here has given me a real flavour of what people are like.”

Mr. Patterson, who preached at the Fountain Street church before he was asked to become its new minister, said he’s “really delighted to be here.”

He continued” “I’m really excited at the prospect of not only coming to Downpatrick, but with working with my congregations. Everyone has been so friendly and nice which has helped the settling in process enormously. We have a healthy congregation in Downpatrick and it is my privilege to be here.”

Mr. Patterson, who will also be carrying out chaplaincy duties at the Downe Hospital, said the biggest privilege anyone can have is to minister to people, preaching God’s word.

He continued: “People know there is something after this life. While many have never been better off, many have never been more empty. People are looking for a sense of what this is all about. I believe it’s essential people have God in their lives. We were made by him and created for a relationship with him.”

Quoting missionary James Hudson Taylor who said “there is a God, who has spoken through the bible and means what he says,” Mr. Patterson said his role is also to tell people what the bible says.

“The world is full of religion, with faith about being in the right relationship with Jesus Chris. It is a fantastic opportunity for me to be ministering in Downpatrick and Ardglass and it’s something I am privileged to be doing,” he continued.

“People are trying so many things to be happy but contentment and peace can be found in Jesus Christ. I am delighted to have the opportunity to continue God’s work in this place. My family and I have been made so welcome and it is my pleasure to be here.”

Mr. Patterson said the Downpatrick church has launched a new website and is encouraging people to log on to find out more about what it’s doing and what’s happening.

He added: “The website was launched recently and I would encourage anyone keen to find out more about our church in Downpatrick to log on at www.downpatrickpresbyterian.org.”