The Brethren Church

New for 2007, highlight videos have been made for our mission fields to better relate us with the culture and the life they live everyday. Mark and Brenda Ray are our January highlight from the country of Ireland. Please be patient as the video loads.

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Dear Friends and Family,

There is so much that we need to catch you all up on. We have had a very productive January — productive in the sense that we have made a number of decisions that are going to bring significant changes to our lives and ministry here in Ireland. We would like to take the time in this months update to inform you of some of the decisions we’ve made.

First, however, we want to again remind you to be checking out our new blog site at: http://hopeofireland.blogspot.com. We are no longer maintaining a website since we could not find a suitable person to administer it for us on our behalf. A blog will enable us to update articles and photos more regularly to keep you updated on what is actually happening with us here rather than simply providing information about Hope of Ireland.

On to the news…

Youth Work

We have made the decision to step down from youth work in Ireland — or at least in the role that we have been taking. For several years, I have been planning and implementing youth gatherings, conferences, and camp for the Plumbline network of churches. We have also been assisting other churches in their own youth programs, providing youth leaders from our core of American interns serving with us.

As of the first weekend in May, we will no longer be serving in those capacities. Instead, our work with youth in Ireland will concentrate mainly on those who come to us for mentoring and discipleship (whether individually or through our internship). We believe this more aligns with who we are and what we enjoy doing. In addition, it will free up some additional time to concentrate more on our local ministry in Roscommon.

Internships

Up until this point, our interns have come to us with the expectation that they will remain in Ireland for a year and would live in our home. By autumn of 2007, we hope to implement the following changes:

• The length of commmitment for interns will be reduced to three months.
• The educational and character development aspects of the internship will be concentrated into a three-month period, intensifying the areas of study.
• The smaller time commitment will open up more opportunities to Irish and American youth who could commit to a smaller length of time.
• In addition, interns, beginning in September 2007, will no longer be housed in our home. Instead, we will be needing our home for other reasons…

Expanding Family

OK, I know your hearts are racing…

Brenda and I have made the decision to start adoption proceedings. We have begun the process of working with a US adoption agency who specializes in foreign adoptions by US citizens living overseas. We are not sure when this will take place, but the process has begun. We would appreciate your prayers since such a venture requires a great deal of work, finance, and heart. Could you begin by praying for our future son, wherever he may be?

In addition, we are also looking into becoming foster parents. There is a real need for foster families in Ireland, and this is something we have considered doing for a long time. On top of providing homes for children and youth who need them, it will also become an additional source of income for our family. If you have been following us at all in the last year, you know that our financial needs have been significant. Fostering may be an opportunity for us to contribute to the lives of others as well as provide some creative provision for our on-going lives in Ireland. Please pray about this process.

We continue to enjoy our growing friendships in Roscommon. We are settled more and more in this place that we love, and we are excited about the direction the church seems to be taking. There is a very real sense that we are turning the page from what was a very difficult 2006 to a new and fresh 2007 and beyond.

Thank you for your on-going prayers, and we especially would appreciate your prayers for our new decisions and opportunities ahead. To our financial supporters — you have no idea how much your gifts have brought us encouragement and hope! We are so grateful to you for your partnership with us in the Gospel for Ireland!

Adding our Love to His,
Mark & Brenda Ray

Why is Ireland an important ministry for the Brethren?

Their mission in Ireland is not only a mission field to the Irish but also to the emerging post-churched generations that are largely missing from today’s churches. Ireland is a mission to the post-modern culture. A mission to the generation that keeps leaving the church. Where Europe is now with religion America will soon find itself. We can learn from them and them from us. It can help bridge the gap from youth to adults we are trying so hard to bridge.

What do they need?

Someone to take the bat for them on fund raising in the states. Its draining trying to run missions and worry about where the money is coming from, and fund raise. It would be a big burden off of them if they could direct all their focus on the Irish. That they would have room to start implementing their visions and dreams. They do not want to toy with lives over there. If they start something they want to be able to finish it–otherwise they could end up doing more damage than good.

Praises

• Real road into the community with Operation Christmas Child. Have been able to speak in 24 public schools so far and have collected over 1000 boxes. It is doing a tremendous work in building relationships and contacts within the communities.
• Youth work in Galway and Kilkinny continue to be strong.
• Church is doing very well-very enthusiastic. There is a level of growth in spirituality and in numbers. Currently there are at around 20 members. Still meeting in their house.
• Matthew Cunningham a youth from Galway is coming on board as an intern for 2007.

Prayer Requests

• Development of other leaders to help raise the church
• There is a family that might come to join the church that recently had a death in the family.
• Finances for their long term vision.