The institution of The Rev Jonny Campbell-Smyth the new rector at Ballynure and Ballyeaston parishes will be on Tuesday 17th January at 8:00pm.
Jonny comes to Ballyclare from the Parish of Jordanstown where he was curate assistant.
Jonny was brought up in Lisburn where he attended St Paul’s Parish and later Lisburn Cathedral. He worked as Head of IT with a Northern Ireland-wide clothing firm. His work took him to Coleraine where he worshipped in St Patrick’s Parish.
He then took on a job as an IT consultant with the UK Government. For 10 years this meant he commuted to England. “It was during this time I felt the call to ministry as a result of being around a lot of folk who were searching for things in their life such as wealth and success. God really reached me during that time,” Jonny said.
He was among the first intake on the new MTh course at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute. Jonny was ordained a Deacon in September 2011. His internship was in Holy Trinity Parish, Portrush. He then served his first curacy in his home church of St Patrick’s, Coleraine, and his second curacy in St Patrick’s, Jordanstown.
Rev Jonny Campbell-Smyth is ‘really looking forward to a new chapter’ as he takes up his position as rector. His institution as new rector at Ballynure and Ballyeaston parishes will be on Tuesday 17th January at 8:00pm.
Jonny is married to Alison and they have two sons, Josh and Nathan. He said the family had been looking forward to the move to Ballyclare. “Alison, myself and the boys are really looking forward to this new chapter. The sense of God’s call to us is so tangible,” he said.
“We will so miss the people of Jordanstown but are excited to develop new relationships in Ballyclare and Ballynure.”
You can find out more about what’s happening in the Diocese of Connor on their website here.
