Missionary Focus - 5th November 2025

Our Missionary Focus this month saw a return visit of Colin Tinsley of Hope for Youth Ministries. Colin read from Psalm 78 verses 1 – 11.

We had just sung “I am so glad that our Father in heaven, tells of His love in the book He has given, Wonderful things in the bible I see, this is the dearest that Jesus loves me”

Colin challenged us saying “I am so glad that Jesus loves me, are you? Many children today have never heard that message, because they do not go to church or Sunday School and are not familiar with the gospel message. Many parents have never heard that Jesus loves them too. Psalm 78 is about reaching the rising generation with the gospel. We see this in verses 1, 4, 6 and 9. When God called me to work with children, He gave me a vision of the difference Jesus Christ can make in the lives of young people.”

Colin and Joanna have a very busy schedule; during term time in schools, two classes in the morning and two in the afternoon, five days a week. Evenings are busy too with deputation meetings in various churches. Summer months are busy with Children’s Missions and of course Tollymore Bible Camp, now in its 22nd year.

Over the past 25 years, since the commencement of their ministry, they have completed over 2,000 Missions and Bible Clubs for children in schools, tents, halls and churches across N. Ireland.

Over 100 books and 130 gospel tracts, especially for young people have now been published. The latest being a daily devotional book entitled “Fear Not.” Targeted for teenagers and adults. There are 366 Fear Nots throughout the Bible, one for each day of the year and one extra for Leap Year.

Since commencing this work, Colin and his wife, who is Polish, have taken over 100 teams on international mission trips, the majority of which are to Poland. So, Joanna gets to see her family on these occasions.

Colin presented an audio visual of all aspects of his work which was interesting, very informative and very enjoyable. Colin had a very extensive book stall, displaying lots of children’s bible story books, puzzles, colouring books and tracts.