Rev Ronnie McCracken - from Tiger’s Bay to Belarus

Mr McCracken from Crumlin is a well known minister. Born in Tiger’s Bay, Belfast, his ministry has extended to many countries around the world.

Talking about his background Mr McCracken said: “Our area was known locally as ‘Tigers’ Bay’ because of the rough tough nature of the inhabitants, among who were many unusual characters.”

He continued: “Often in those days the spectre of unemployment stalked our district and left men in despair, the only solace seemed to be found in escape from reality into a world of alcohol.

“God and the church were not things one bothered much about in Tigers’ Bay, and as a lad growing up there I was just one of the crowd.

“One night I was on my way to attend a training session at our local football club and as I walked along the street I met Trevor. He had a reputation for being one of the best fighters in the locality and we were not on good terms at that time.

“He had promised that when next he saw me I would ‘get the hammering of my life’, so you can imagine I was trying to keep out of his way. But there was no escape that night as he called out, ‘I want to see you.’

“As Trevor approached I was waiting for this right hook that might come any moment when suddenly he said, ‘I’m converted, I’ve turned good-living.’ What a surprise; I was glad to hear it and though I didn’t really understand exactly what it meant I thought that now I wouldn’t get my hammering.”

Ronnie said: “Trevor asked me to go with him to church the next Sunday night and I promised I would. In fact I would have promised him anything to get away without the expected hammering. Of course I did not intend to go and when Sunday arrived I did not meet him as planned. But on Monday he came to my home and made me promise to go to the prayer meeting on Tuesday night.

“Once again I broke my word, but he returned on Wednesday and asked me to come to the mid-week Holiness meeting. Again I did not go. Many would have given up by this time, but not Trevor, for when Sunday arrived once more, he came and caught me at home. ‘Come on, you are coming to church tonight,’ he said.

“When I protested that my clothes were not suitable he said that would not matter to the folks and I was left with no way out. We arrived at the church and I entered rather fearfully, but no sooner was I inside than someone said: ‘What’s your name?’ As I replied Ronnie McCracken he said ‘Well Ronnie, we’ll not be long till we get you saved.’

“Now, I did not really understand what it meant to be saved, but I did not like his approach and beneath my breath said to myself. ‘Not me you won’t.’

“That night there was no preacher but a team of five men testified one after the other.”

He continued: “Trevor every so often shouted his lusty ‘Hallelujah’ while I whispered in my heart, ‘I’ll never come back, just let me get out and I will never come back.’ I meant it too. But then the last man rose to speak. He was a Lancashire man by the name of Frank Preece, and as he spoke in the closing moment of that service God spoke to me. A terrible struggle went on in my heart, how could I be a Christian in Tigers’ Bay, how could I ever keep it and so on. But that dear man said something I have never forgotten and never will. He said, ‘You will only take the first step on your own. After that someone will be with you all through the journey.’

“As our meeting ended I raised my hand as a sign that I was prepared to seek the Lord, and I was asked to come to the front of the church. I thought I could never do it but as I stepped out a wonderful peace flooded my soul. In the prayer room I was shown some Scripture and Frank Preece prayed for me that God would save my soul. He then asked me to pray for myself, and after a moment of silence I said I didn’t know how to pray. He guided me and suggested I might use the words of a chorus. In that moment Jesus came into this poor heart of mine and made me a new creature.

“I could not have explained it in words but my heart cried out and said: ‘thank you Lord for saving my soul’.”

Ronnie later went into the ministry and for several years was minister of Straid Congregational Church. He is best known, however, for his work with the Jewish people. After the collapse of Communism he was deeply involved in taking shipments of humanitarian aid to Russia, Belarus and other countries of the former Soviet Union, opening doors for Christian witness. His visits have also extended to Ethiopia and into the heart of Jerusalem.

Now retired, Ronnie is still busy, carrying out the work of ‘The Eschol Ministries’ from his home at Crumlin.