Grace Community Church NI

Ronnie shares his personal journey and the mission of Drop Inn Ministries, emphasising how the organisation embodies hope, help, and healing in Jesus’ name to a hurting world. He recounts significant ​“fives” in his life: his first mission trip to Belarus in 1995, starting a church in 2005, and a 10-year lease at Ballyards Castle in 2015 for their ministry’s programs. He also shares his profound r...

As we head into the busyness and unpredictability of summer, this message invites us to pause and reflect on the gift and challenge of friendship. Drawing on Jesus’ own example—who consistently chose relationship over mere function, we’re reminded of our deep need for genuine, intentional connections that go beyond the transactional. In a world battling loneliness despite constant connectivity, we...

This week we stepped into the book of Daniel, where we moved beyond lions and fiery furnaces to explore the quieter, yet powerful, moments of Daniel’s life. We saw how Daniel navigated exile, cultural pressure, and irrational leadership, not by rebellion, but with respect, integrity, and trust in God. Whether resisting a king’s commands or responding to madness in the palace, Daniel’s example teac...

The act of communal worship offers profound comfort and hope, especially during difficult periods. This shared experience can be particularly impactful when personal belief falters, providing a collective strength. A significant spiritual vision speaks of a new temple, understood not as a physical structure, but as a symbolic representation of spiritual restoration. This vision, occurring amidst e...

This episode features our good friend Nick McKnight who leads Richhill Methodist Church. He kicks things off by highlighting the genuine bond we share here at Grace Community Church – it's all about real friendship, not just duty! He then opens up about his own journey, sharing how he felt like an outsider looking in at church as a kid, never quite fitting the "fancy clothes" crowd. Yet, a simple...

This week, we delve into Ezekiel 37, exploring the powerful vision of the Valley of Dry Bones. Just as Ezekiel prophesied life into seemingly lifeless bones, this passage offers a profound message of hope and revival, even in the most desolate circumstances. The Hebrew prophets, including Ezekiel, didn’t just foretell the future; they spoke of what couldhappen, emphasizing the possibility of chang...

Speaker: William Guindi We take a reflective and emotional journey through Genesis 45, where we explore the profound story of Joseph’s reunion with his brothers and its deeper spiritual meaning. We revisit Joseph’s path—from betrayal and slavery to power and redemption—and marvel at his response when faced with the very brothers who sold him. Instead of bitterness, Joseph extends forgiveness, reco...

Speaker: Lila Gribben We delve into the insightful metaphor of sharpening an axe, drawing inspiration from Ecclesiastes 10:1-10, to explore how we can live more effectively as people of faith. Our discussion centers around three pivotal questions: First, what does it truly mean to "sharpen the blade" from a kingdom perspective? It's not about worldly power, but recognizing and stewarding the divin...

Amy and Frances share stories from their recent trip to Zambia, highlighting the impactful work of Drop Inn. They begin with Hope Mission in Laka, a project supporting vulnerable girls and boys. The initiative now includes separate homes and plans are underway to build a clinic and expand the school. They also visit a school in Kasama supported by Drop Inn, where hundreds of children greet them wa...

Jasiel and Danielli Dourado, originally from Brazil, now working with Ambassadors Football. Not only do they work with kids, training and teaching them through soccer, they have a ministry in Portadown — Anchor Church — that works to serve communities in the local area. They visited us during our Sunday Morning Gathering to share their stories and what God is doing with them now. Episode link: htt...

In this discussion, we explore the biblical theme of shepherds, starting with Ezekiel’s prophecy, where he calls out the failings of Israel’s leaders and portrays them as poor shepherds. We look at how shepherds were often viewed negatively throughout the Old Testament — seen as lowly in Egyptian society and later met with scepticism from religious authorities. But despite that reputation, there’s...

This Easter message invites us to move beyond passive reflection into the active, transformative practice of resurrection in our daily lives. Reflecting on John 20, we’re reminded of the familiar yet powerful story of the empty tomb and Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Jesus. But rather than settling for wonder alone, we’re challenged to consider what resurrection means for us now. How sh...

Over the past few weeks in our midweek gatherings, we’ve been diving deep into Paul’s letter to the Philippians, especially those powerful verses about humility and the self-giving love of Jesus. It’s challenged us — not just to talk about these things, but to live them out. That’s why Amy Carmichael’s story felt like such a perfect fit for us to explore together. Born in Belfast in 1867, Amy’s li...

In Ezekiel 18 – 33, we’re struck by how clearly God speaks about choice, consistency, and the hope of repentance. Even those with no church background have found healing just by showing up, praying, or being open to change. Ezekiel challenges the idea that we’re stuck because of our past or our family story. Instead, God puts the responsibility — and the opportunity — into our hands. He invites us...

Speaker: Amy Anderson We're looking at the story of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15, and we're amazed by her incredible faith. She shows persistence, a refusal to be deterred, even when Jesus seems unresponsive. It's easy to forget the context: Jesus's need for solitude, the cultural and religious tensions between Jews and Canaanites. Yet, she perseveres, a Gentile woman demonstrating a faith th...

Speaker: Ronnie Dawson Let's explore the inspiring story of Jabez, a man briefly mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 but whose prayer holds deep significance. Jabez, unlike his peers, refused to settle for an average life—he sought God's blessing, asking for an expanded territory, divine presence, and protection. His faith and boldness in prayer set him apart, showing that God can use ordinary people...

Ezekiel experiences a powerful vision while in exile, where God transports him to Jerusalem. There, he witnesses the corruption and idolatry among the people who remained. While the exiles in Babylon wonder where God is and if there is any hope, Ezekiel sees that even their own people are plotting to take their land, deepening their sense of loss and betrayal. Yet, amid the darkness, God speaks a...

Speaker: David McBride We explore the true meaning of worship as described in Isaiah 58. Worship isn’t just about religious rituals — it’s about actively caring for others. Fasting shouldn’t be a hollow religious act but something that leads us to gratitude, self-reflection, and a real response to the needs of the world. True worship is about justice, kindness, and love, not just outward religious...

We dive into Ezekiel 3 – 5, where we see the prophet wrestle with an intense and unexpected calling. Ezekiel thought he was preparing for a life as a priest, but God had other plans — calling him to be a prophet during the Babylonian exile. We talk about his emotional struggle, his raw honesty about feeling overwhelmed, and his heavy responsibility as a Watchman, charged with warning the people of...

We continue our exploration of the Book of Ezekiel, exploring the tension between judgment and restoration. We reflect on how difficult passages—often filled with themes of anger and wrath—challenge our understanding of God’s nature. Rather than viewing judgment as retributive, we consider the idea that God’s judgment is restorative, working towards healing and wholeness rather than punishment. We...

Speaker: Neville Garland Neville explores the powerful story of Paul and Silas in Acts 16 — a story of faith, perseverance, and miraculous intervention. Once an enemy of the Gospel, Paul experiences a radical transformation and dedicates his life to spreading the message of Jesus. Alongside Silas, he journeys to Philippi, where their ministry disrupts the status quo, leading to their wrongful impr...

We explore the incredible life and faith of George Müller, a man whose unwavering trust in God transformed the lives of countless orphans in 19th-century England. Beginning with a troubled youth marked by dishonesty and even a brief stint in prison, Müller’s life took a dramatic turn when he encountered the love of Jesus through a university Bible study. Inspired by the stories of missionaries who...

We dive into the book of Ezekiel, exploring its themes of exile, hope, and divine presence in unexpected places. The discussion begins with an overview of Ezekiel’s historical context, touching on the reforms of King Josiah, the rise of Babylon, and the captivity of the Israelites. We examine Ezekiel’s unique calling — being sent not to a foreign land but to his own people, who had strayed from Go...

We explore the profound spiritual discipline of fasting, weaving through its biblical roots, practical applications, and its relevance in today’s culture. Beginning with a heartfelt invitation to reflect on fasting as modeled by Jesus and the prophets, we examine how fasting transcends mere physical restraint to foster deeper connections with God. From Old Testament accounts, like Joel’s call for...

Speaker: Homero Aziz A band of missionaries working all around the world visited us for a morning. Homero introduces them and brings a lesson from the story of Noah. The story of Noah offers profound lessons on navigating life’s challenges through faith, obedience, and trust. Noah lived righteously in a corrupt world, walking faithfully with God even when it meant standing apart from the values of...