Prayer Union marks 50th year

The committee members and special guest of Ballykeel Presbyterian Church Prayer Group who celebrated their 50th anniversary last week by cutting their cake at the special prayer meeting. INBT 07-812H

Faith Mission Pilgrim Ian Booth led the meeting at which reports were given by Rev. William McKeown who gave an outline of when the Prayer Union started.

William’s father and mother gave The Faith Mission permission to put up a portable hall in November, 1964, for a mission held by four Faith Mission Pilgrims - Miss Beattie, Miss Hanna, Miss Herbison and Miss Freya from Switerland - at which several souls were saved.

A report from Tommy Adger followed at the Anniversary Service which revealed that The Prayer Union was formed in February, 1965, in the home of Mr and Mrs Thompson, Ballykeel 1.

William McKeown was Prayer Union Rep until he went to Bible College to study for the ministry and the Superintendent was Mr. Fox.

The Prayer Union moved to Mr. and Mrs Ramsey’s home in 1967 where James Morrow became the Rep until his death. It then moved to Mr and Mrs James Darragh’s home in Ballykeel 2 in 1974 and then on with Mr Darragh to the Larne Road. After his passing, the meetings moved to Mr. and Mrs. Davy Nelson’s home in Ballykeel 1 in 1989 and Miss Beattie, who had retired from the Faith Mission, took on the role of Prayer Union Rep until she suffered ill health.

After Davy’s passing in 1996, the Prayer Union moved to Mr and Mrs. Tommy Adger’s Lisneveagh Road home and still meets for prayer there every Wednesday night at 7pm.

The group have seen many answers to prayer over the years and new members are always welcome.

At the Celebration Service last Wednesday night, popular singers, the Sperrinaires ministered in music, the closing address was given by Trevor Matthews, Director of the Faith Mission in Ireland and Rev. Tommy Shaw ended the meeting with prayer.