As we complete our 75th year of ministry in Ireland, we want to take time to reflect on God’s goodness to us over the years. Some of you have been with us on this exciting journey from the earliest days, others joining more recently. However long you’ve been involved, and in whatever capacity, we trust you’ll rejoice with us that “thus far the Lord has helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12).

Rosemary and I had the privilege of being the National Directors of Child Evangelism Fellowship of Ireland from February 2016 until our retirement in May 2025. As we reflect on those years, we can see God’s hand in all the ministry, but a few highlights come to the fore.

In ministry, financial needs often shout the loudest, but the CEF policy of “ask God and tell his people” has been proved itself repeatedly over the past 75 years as we’ve seen God’s faithfulness. This became obvious when we were required to change the employment status of our Northern Ireland based field workers. Historically the on-field workers had been classed as self-employed, but with changes in legislation we had to move these workers to an employed status which involved higher costs to each worker. Again, God proved his faithfulness and the famous statement by the missionary Hudson Taylor “God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack God’s supply”, was clearly applicable to CEF as a mission.

Proverbs 15:22 informs us “without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors, they are established” (KJV). The advice and support of the Board of Trustees was much needed when the decision was made to demolish Seaview Camp Centre in Kilkeel. The work commenced in early 2020 and was an enormous challenge for the mission to face, but thanks to the faithfulness of God and the generosity of his people the new building was completed and opened debt free in September 2021.

The constant highlight throughout the years has been the commitment and faithfulness of thousands of volunteers who teach, pray, support and assist. Without ‘you’ so much less would be accomplished. Thank you. What a challenge it has been, but also a joy, being the leaders of CEF of Ireland.

This article first appeared in our autumn 2025 edition of Every Child, the CEF of Ireland quarterly National Newsletter. You can subscribe to a digital or paper copy of Every Child for free by clicking here.