Ireland

Mission
In Ireland, there are eight ECM workers in three locations. 

• In Waterford, we are developing the church plant in Ferrybank which has been serving the community since 2010.  One of our workers is also serving in another church in Waterford- encouraging women to grow in their faith.  
• In Claremorris, Co Mayo we are working alongside Calvary Mission to develop a church plant. 

Vision
We are working with God to see biblically based and culturally relevant churches established in Ireland. Ireland today is increasingly becoming post-Catholic and secular.

On one hand, the spiritual landscape is quite bleak.

It has been said, “God is missing but not missed.”  Tom Inglis, a sociologist, who surveyed Irish people and observed: “Religion is not in the heart, in the minds or on the lips of Irish people.” The role of the institutional church in the abuse of children and the most vulnerable has meant many are disillusioned or hostile towards faith.

• 72 towns with more than 5000 people have no gospel witness and
• 17 towns with more than 15000 have no gospel witness
• 1% of the population are evangelical Christians (the smallest of any English speaking country in the world)

All of this means there is a real need for the gospel- God is missing?

On the other hand, the spiritual landscape is bright. 

Vox- a Christian magazine- observes, “Largely under the radar, the last 30 years has seen an unprecedented explosion of new congregations across the island….Young, vibrant, growing, active, engaged, compassionate…these are NOT words that our society usually applies to church” 

A recent survey by Evangelical Alliance called “Growing and Vibrant” backs this up. 

• Over 500 non-mainstream Christian churches 
• 58% have grown in size in the last 5 years = growing 
• 46% of members are under 30, 75% under 50 = young
• They are ethnically diverse and active in serving in their communities. 

All of this means there is real hope in the gospel- God is moving!

In a country where the spiritual landscape may be bleak we are working with God to see churches established which are communities of light.