Following lots of consultation and prayer it has been decided that the annual Spark outreach initiative which has been a fixture in Ballymena and Newtownabbey since 2007 will NOT be returning to the streets until the summer of 2021.
Explaining the decision, a spokesperson for Spark told The Church Page:
“It is with heavy hearts and after much prayer and advice that we have made the decision that Spark will not be running in the summer of 2020 as we had originally hoped. Our feeling is that to run the event in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic would be unsafe for both our volunteers and the communities we serve.
“This has not been an easy decision to make and we know that some people will be disappointed, as we are, but we hope that everyone will understand.”
Spark plans to return in the summer of 2021
On a happier note, the spokesperson also revealed that plans are already underway for Spark Ballymena and Spark Newtownabbey to return in the summer of 2021.
They said, “God willing we plan to run from Saturday 31st July until Sunday 8th August 2021. Keep an eye on www.sparkoutreach.co.uk or our Facebook page for all the latest updates. God bless and stay safe.”
