By the Spirit: Ireland

Country Profile

By the Spirit

Ireland | Emily McCurley

On Tuesday, 5 July 2011, 25 individuals from all over the world came together at OM Ireland’s headquarters for the annual Impact Ireland outreach.

Participants travelled as far as 30 hours from Australia and as close as three hours from Ballina with the desire to share Jesus with the people of Ireland.

The group of Australian, Brazilian, Canadian, American, Dutch, Finnish, German, Irish, South Korean and Swiss participants divided into five teams working in Athlone, Mohill, Shannon, on board the Big Red Bus and on the roads with the Cross Walk.

The theme of the morning Bible studies, “By the Spirit”, focused on John 15-16, Galatians 5:16-24 and Ephesians 4:25-5:21. The teaching pointed out the desperate need each person has for God and how to allow the Holy Spirit to sustain them and speak through them as they encountered people throughout the week.

Daily carrying the cross

The Cross Walk team trekked over 180 kilometres (about 110 miles) from the southern tip of Ireland in Waterford to OM’s base at Lacken House in Rahara. Along the way they had amazing opportunities to share the gospel.

The desire to share remained strong even in spite of a setback when luggage was stolen from the van. Kyle, from the U.S., lost virtually everything he had brought with him. After focusing on the things that were taken from him, Kyle realised he needed to look beyond and see what God was doing.

“It took me a few days for it to finally sink in that I had lost a lot and I was pretty frustrated about it,” admitted Kyle. “I just think that God has made more peace in my heart. I’m beginning to see that all these things that I lost are really worth nothing.

Our material things, they’re not going to further His kingdom in any way; that’s our job to do—to further the kingdom. We carry the cross spiritually every day.”

Using all circumstances

When the team realised a stack of leaflets they’d brought with them was printed in French, Keilah, from Ireland, took one and stuck it in her pocket. While in Waterford, Keilah saw a group of French tourists taking pictures of the cross, but because of language barriers, they couldn’t communicate. Keilah suddenly remembered the French tract she had in her pocket and gave it to them.

“They were so excited when they saw it was in French and they were huddled in a group reading it,” Keilah said. “It just showed me that God can use all circumstances and that He’s completely in control.”

For more information about the ministry of OM Ireland, visit their website at www.ie.om.org.