‘Life works best when it’s lived God’s way’ – says Rev Daniel Kane, retiring Minister of West Church Ballymena as he sat down to be interviewed by The Church Page about his 26 years as the Minister of West Presbyterian Church in Ballymena.
The Ballycastle native arrived at the Ballymoney Road congregation after 12 years of ministry in First Killyleagh Presbyterian Church in County Down. “It was a very miserable, cold, snowy day in February 2000. Charlotte was six and Bea had just turned four the week before we left. We immediately felt the warmth of the West welcome and love as soon as we arrived” he says.
His wife, Harriet and daughters, Charlotte and Beatrice, aged six and four at the time, also braved the conditions to join him. He pays a special tribute to Harriet for her unstinting support as they undertook this ministry together as a husband/wife ministry team.
Looking back on the move, Daniel remembered: “Ballymena offered lots of opportunities for us as a family. That was particularly true for the girls in terms of their education and spiritual development. It was just a good place to be, so we were very excited. We found the town to be very, very friendly and welcoming and we settled in with no problems. It was a very easy transition”, he added.
In terms of how the Church has developed over the last quarter of a century, Daniel is keen to emphasize that the Lord Jesus is ‘the hero of the story, and not himself.
The retiring clergyman also pays tribute to the many ‘unsung heroes’ who gave of their time and effort sacrificially to lead the various organisations connected with Church. He especially wanted to thank his Kirk Session and Committee, along with former Clerks of Session and all those who undertook responsibilities for different areas of ministry. He is also grateful for the help he has had from others who formed part of the ministry team over the years. There is a special place in his heart for his Musical Director, Mr Sam Murray and orchestra leader, Mrs Fiona McConnell along with the dedicated members of the church choir, instrumentalists and praise groups.
In terms of landmark events during his ministry at West Church, Daniel wants to highlight the spiritual dimension of the saving power of the Gospel and lives transformed by Christ, along with a deepening prayer life and having an outward facing dimension. Outside of this he highlights the new halls complex, which was opened in 2016 by the then Moderator of the General Assembly, Rev. Dr. Frank Sellar, as a significant event.
He recalled: “Some years ago, we took the decision to demolish the old Hall and build this new one, along with a creche facility and social area and adequate kitchen. This has been a huge blessing and is having multigenerational and community transformational impact, and is part of our legacy to future generations.”
Daniel is adamant about the centrality and unchanging nature of the Gospel message. “These last Sundays what else would you talk about other than finishing well in the Christian life” he says. “No one wants to finish badly. We finish well in the Christian life in the same way we started – by fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and hero of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For us all, as followers of Jesus, our calling continues to be the same as it’s always been – that is to live creative and courageous Christian lives as agents of hope in this world which is becoming increasingly secular, unsafe, unstable and unpredictable.
The cultural, moral, ethical, political and economic landscapes have changed beyond recognition over the past quarter of a century BUT the teaching of the Bible has not.
The core tenants of what the Bible teaches never change – only the cultural landscape in which we’re called to demonstrate the truth, beauty and power of the Gospel. This is hugely challenging.
We believe passionately, however, that Jesus is good news for everyone.
Our calling from Christ therefore remains the same as it has always been – namely to go to all the world with kingdom hope unfurled because no other name has power to save but Jesus Christ, the Lord.
The Bible and what it teaches is liberating, transformative and life-giving to all of society because Jesus is the undeniable hero of our faith. He’s the risen One, heaven’s champion and He reigns overall. And life works best when we live it his way.”
Read more about the life and witness of West Presbyterian Church, Ballymena on their website.