Everyone at the Church Page was saddened to hear of the recent passing of The Very Rev Dr David McGaughey.
Dr McCaughey served as Minister of Mourne Presbyterian Church from 1973-2003 and served as Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland in 1994.
His successor at Mourne Presbyterian, Rev William Bingham has penned the following tribute to his friend and mentor.
William writes:
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” – Philippians ch 1 vs 21
It is with sadness that I announce the passing of our much loved and greatly respected minister the Very Rev Dr David J McGaughey.
Dr McGaughey went home to be with Christ his Saviour early this morning.
Rev McGaughey was installed as minister in Mourne congregation on 6th September 1973. His Godly, compassionate, wise and self-sacrificial ministry of thirty years was used by God to bring many who were lost to Christ, comfort to thousands through sadness and tragedy and to build up God’s people in service to Christ both at home and overseas. His preaching was Christ focused and always with earnestness, clarity and passion and his pastoral ministry was outstanding in its dedication, sincerity, love and wisdom. All for the glory of the Saviour whom he had come to know, love and trust as a young man.
“As his assistant and friend I can honestly say that out of the whole of the General Assembly I couldn’t have been assigned to a more Godly “boss” or have been set a better example of Godly and faithful ministry than that of Dr McGaughey. He became not just my mentor but a “spiritual father”.
He was above all else a servant of Christ in his home and family. A Godly and loving Husband, Father, Father in Law, Grandfather and Brother. It wasn’t just his ministry in Mourne it was Anne’s as well and Mourne became the spiritual home for Lynn, David, Hilary and Jane and to them and all the family we extend our love and sympathy as well as our thanks for sharing Dr McGaughey with us as our minister and friend for thirty wonderful years.
Dr McGaughey’s funeral and burial will be in Mourne, this is where his heart was, but he is “now with Christ which is far better”. I know that many would like to be present to show their respect and give thanks for his life. Sadly that will not be possible because of restrictions but the funeral service will be broadcast live on our YouTube channel on Thursday, 4th February 2021 at 2pm. Please remember Anne, Lynn, David, Hilary, Jane and their families in prayer along with Dr McGaughey’s sisters Maureen and Nancy.
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. but thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians ch 15 verses 55-57″
For more information on Mourne Presbyterian Church, visit their website here.
