In the giant marquee at this year’s New Horizon event, around 3,000 voices belonging to all ages and denominations rang out in music of joyful exuberance – and celebrated the theme of Enjoying God.
Held at the University of Ulster’s Coleraine campus from 18-24 July, Christians met together through a series of seminars, exhibitions and cafes to explore their awareness and understanding of how to further the concept of enjoying God.
Busy in the Mission Agencies Partnership café was Feba Ambassador for Ireland, William Mateer, renewing acquaintances and making new ones as he highlighted and promoted our work.
Organised by the New Horizon Ministries, and with the event’s roots going back to 1954 and the Billy Graham Crusades, the week comprised morning Bible readings, around 40 seminars and evening celebratory worship. A busy youth programme saw up to 700 children and young people take part in activities on and off the site.
Essence of the event
Following this year’s theme, each seminar examined and discussed a different aspect, such as enjoying God in the spaces we create; as we help and integrate with the local community, or even while we’re at our work.
The tented villages, lecture theatres and halls that host the event allow for a turn-up, roll-on, roll-off relaxed participation by ‘interested Christians.’ While missions, such as Feba, are represented, many other participants attend outside of their church or ministerial roles to listen to the speakers or hear what other evangelical organisations are currently engaged in.
Emphasising mission
At the Hope Street Café, the Mission Agencies Partnership Team were discussing the work of their missions and raising awareness, while answering questions over coffee and distributing information. A captivating interactive display, “Created for …” stimulated visitors to think about mission and inspired them to consider service in God’s name at home or overseas.
Speaker for the morning Bible sessions was Pastor Ray Ortlund of Immanuel Church, Nashville, Tennessee, while Don Carson, Research Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Illinois, spoke during the evening musical celebrations. Keith and Kristyn Getty, singers, musicians and contemporary hymn writers led the evening praise worship.