Tearfund and Andy Flannagan to partner on worship events // Saturday 24 January 2026

This January, Tearfund is partnering with singer-songwriter and political activist Andy Flannagan to host a series of worship events. With strong ties to Tearfund as an advocate for tackling poverty and injustice, Andy (known for leading worship, even in Westminster) weaves these themes into his music. Together, Tearfund and Andy, are hoping to inspire the Church in Northern Ireland toward contemporary worship that actively addresses societal issues, spilling out of our church buildings and into streets and across continents.

When asked about the heart behind these events, Andy said, ‘It strikes me that if David arrived in our churches in 2025, he might say, “I’m so flattered that you’re still singing my words, but might you not want to follow my ways as well as my words?” David wrote psalms about the things that were right in front of him: the battles, the animals, the pastures. Are we writing about the things that are right in front of us?’

Having led worship for many years, Andy worries that we too often fall into the trap of seeking the security of the familiar—relying on nostalgia rather than lamenting injustice, celebrating God’s desire for global change, or rejoicing in the transformation he is already enacting. While we celebrate the old, we must also embrace the new. Is it time to pause and ask: What is the Spirit communicating to our churches today? Are we bold enough to step into our roles as worship prophets?

Chris Thompson, NI Director for Tearfund says, ‘We want to encourage worship leaders in Northern Ireland, to think about their choices, their playing styles, their lyrical content, and the actions they are asking their congregations to take. Worship holds the potential to transform our communities locally and globally. We want to see that potential realised. Tearfund works in more than 50 of the world’s poorest countries, we don’t want people merely to sing about the poor, but to actively sing with them.’

Andy adds, ‘We live in a world where the rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer. The effects of climate change are far greater than 30 years ago, yet somehow, we’re a lot more silent on that stuff now. Where are our songs of lament? In a post lockdown world, we’ve become curved in on ourselves and less outward-focused.’

He is challenging us to move beyond simply spoon-feeding our congregations songs based on others’ experiences of God. Instead, he urges us to intentionally create space, especially for young people, to express their genuine feelings toward God, whether that includes anger, doubt, or sadness. The goal is to shift from being mere consumers of worship to becoming active participants in our devotion to God and his people.

Andy will be leading a song writing workshop on Saturday 24 January from 11.00am to 1.00pm at Boundary on the Newtownards Road. This is a rare opportunity to come together to be inspired and create worship songs that speak to our lives and life in 2026.

On the Saturday evening, Andy will be joined by Nathan Jess for a night of song and stories. Come and experience the power of Andy and Nathan’s songs live. Hear the moving melodies and authentic lyrics from these singer-songwriters, music that flows from their faith and a passion for seeing the world restored and renewed. You’ll hear stories of justice, obedience and faith; of worship leaving the church and moving out into the world, stories of God at work, locally and globally.

To book your free ticket for the Worship Leaders’ Workshop go to tearfund.org/janworkshop
To book your free ticket for the Night of Worship go to tearfund.org/janworship

There will be an opportunity at both events to give to the Tearfund Christmas Appeal, which is being match funded by SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO and ViVOXTRA retailers up to £500,000 until 31 January 2026.