“We (Dan and Beth) grew up in Christ-centred homes and attended evangelical churches in different parts of south-west Sydney, before getting married in 2005.

Since then, the Lord has been burdening our hearts with the great gospel needs beyond our shores. This led us to study at Sydney Missionary and Bible College, to be trained for whatever he had in store for us.

We soon began to feel that Ireland was in God’s sights for us, with a prayer letter from Simon and Danielle Ball, chats with Irish faculty and other missionaries, even ECM’s own veteran Irish missionary, Sharon Hall (née Wood). In our final year, we were able to join the college mission team visiting Ireland.

“Gathering with small churches in Ireland brought to life the statistics and stories we’d heard of the great gospel needs there.”

We met real people. Some who, after years of religious affiliation, were having the Bible explained to them for the first time and following Jesus. Others were still counting the cost of following him, in the face of alienation from family and friends.

This visit not only convinced us God wanted us there, but also connected us with an Irish- led church planting network. They have approved us to join a church plant in Loughrea (lokh-ray), a commuter town for Galway city. We’ll join another family and a number of local believers who have recently begun a public gathering. It’s the first Evangelical church there in almost 100 years! They need more workers and are eagerly awaiting our arrival.”

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