Andrew and Nadine Houston have followed God’s direction to lead the work of the Belfast City Mission at its Mayo Street Hall.
Andrew is originally from Larne and Nadine is from Ballymena. They are both members of Ballykeel Presbyterian Church and live in Ballymena. They will be married nine years this October. Andrew and Nadine had both given their lives to God at a young age but they were living a life of the world and not God. After getting married in Ballykeel Presbyterian Church, Andrew and Nadine found their love for the Lord again and asked the Lord to forgive them and to come back into their lives.
Up until taking on the new role as Missionary with Belfast City Mission, Andrew was an Elder in Ballykeel Presbyterian Church and lead bible class for teenagers and jointly lead a men’s fellowship group alongside other roles within the church.
Nadine will continue to worship in Ballykeel Presbyterian Church in the mornings alongside teaching Sunday School, leading the Ladies Fellowship and being part of a women’s study group. She will then go and support Andrew in the Mayo Street Hall in the evenings.
Andrew Houston has always had a passion for people and a desire to teach God’s word to others. He had tried different routes for ministry throughout the years but on every occasion, God closed the door to these.
When Andrew was told about the missionary job within the Belfast City Mission, he knew God was opening a new door and directing him to this role, which would allow him to use God’s gifts to teach the word of God and serve for God’s Glory.
Throughout this whole process God had made it very clear to both Andrew and Nadine that this is where he wanted them to be.
Andrew had attended bible college in his younger years and has had plenty of experience preaching God’s word and has for many years working closely with local people in community groups in the past and is excited to do this again.
Andrew and Nadine’s theme for heading to Mayo Street will be: ‘Growing in Faith, Serving in Love.’
They want to develop discipleship within the hall which can develop to serving Mayo Street and the people in the surrounding area with the amazing Love of Jesus.
Nadine says “I know Andrew always had a desire to preach and teach God’s word, so when God opened the door for this opportunity, we had to follow Gods lead as we head to Mayo Street. When we first heard of the opening, I was apprehensive at the time but now I am so excited to meet the people of Mayo Street BCM and look forward to sharing in fellowship and walking beside them in their lives and walk with God”
Andrew says: “Throughout my life my passion has always been for people and to be able to walk alongside them and teach them about the amazing love of Jesus which is found in his word. I have always wanted to have the opportunity to teach people God’s word in a regular setting. When God opened the door for Belfast City Mission and Mayo Street in particular, I knew completely this was God’s directing. I am so excited to meet the people of Mayo Street and the surrounding area and to help them to grow in their faith and to serve the people of the hall and the community around us with Gods love, care and compassion.”
Keep up to date with the work of the Belfast City Mission at Mayo Street on their Facebook page.