Christians gather in Belfast to show 'faith works'

Church leaders, members and volunteers from across Northern Ireland will declare "our faith works" in a conference at Holywood Christian Fellowship Church in Belfast this weekend.

The event, run jointly by Holywood Christian Fellowship and the national Faithworks Movement, is aimed at all Christians who want to put their faith in action by serving their neighbours and community.

Our Faithworks will consist of main sessions, seminars and panel discussions, that will equip and inspire delegates to put their faith in action, through practical advice, biblical teaching, and personal experiences from the 'grass roots' of community action. It will also be an opportunity to celebrate the positive transformation that local churches are bringing to their communities.

The leader of the Faithworks Movement, Rev Malcolm Duncan, who grew up on a Loyalist council estate in Rathcoole, will lead the conference, which will also feature other church leaders.

He said Our Faithworks is a challenging opportunity for churches to come together around a common purpose.

"For many years, all over Northern Ireland, Christians and churches have been at the forefront of demonstrating their faith in action.

"God has brought positive change in recent years, that is providing fresh challenges and opportunities for the church to continue to shine with hope, faith and love," he said.

"We are harbingers of hope, people who refuse to believe that things will stay as they are. We have faith that social and spiritual transformation is possible, and we will work to see it happen."

Paul Betts, conference organiser, said Our Faithworks would help bring new opportunities for churches to work together.

"As part of the Faithworks Movement, we want to see the church in Ireland and the UK working together, resourced and equipped to demonstrate the Kingdom of God with loving expressions of practical care," he said.

"This conference is an opportunity for the church to unite and network, while celebrating together how our faith is working."