How we loved being in Northern Ireland again! The fun and warm-heartedness of the Irish, their delightful accents that finishe most sentences tilting upwards, and the affectionate way they communicate, as in “Ah Becky, ‘tis grand seeing you! Could I give you a wee cuddle then?”

Just one of the highlights was spending 3 delightful days (between our conferences) at the holiday home of wonderful friends in the North on the Antrim coast. The beauty of that coast line with patchwork green rolling hills where sheep and cows graze, the beautiful foaming cobalt blue sea, and glimpses of Scotland was sheer delight. We were so far north that it was still light at midnight!

Another highlight was spending time with a mentor from my past – Dr. David Gooding.  I hadn’t seen David since hearing him speak at a student conference in Spain many years ago. He is a renowned authority in the Septuagint, was Prof. of Greek studies at Queens Univ., a brilliant Bible teacher and author, and a wonderful man of God who hasn’t missed a beat in his 80 plus years! How thrilling to have mentors who model everything we aspire to be in Christ.

We also saw the Belfast estate, “Little Lea”, the home where C.S. Lewis was raised (home of the famous “Wardrobe”). The wind was blowing so powerfully through the magnificent trees that surrounded the house and long driveway that it was easy to imagine how such a place – and country - ignited his fertile imagination as a boy.

The ministry was sweet. I spoke to a wonderful Women’s Conference held annually in Belfast called Focus Fest. The following weekend we did a Salt Shaker Conference in Ballymena (a charming city an hour north of Belfast). It was held in West Church, an historic Presbyterian church that was birthed by the Irish Revival of 1859.  Both in Belfast and Ballymena we were struck by the spiritual responsiveness of the believers. They worshipped with passion and intensity and sang to the Lord with such joy! During the prayer ministry time at our Salt Shaker Conference, not only did people come forward for prayer – they even turned to each other in the pews and prayed. EVERYONE ended up praying in one form or another. They told me this was unusual for them. So moving to be a part of!

When we minister to countries in the postmodern West, sadly some things are all too familiar: the younger generation of skeptics who clearly have no biblical lens through which to interpret reality (Creation, the Fall, Redemption); most are biblically illiterate, and most are disenchanted with the church but, thankfully, many are intrigued by the Person of Jesus. There is more cynicism in the West than in the Global South. And the more affluent and educated they are - the more difficult it is for them to see their need for God.

We were struck immediately by the passion and fervency of the Irish believers, especially seeing the young at worship. We saw an openness to considering the gospel amongst non-believers. My colleagues who work on University campuses in England say that while non-Christian students will come to debates about faith – far fewer come to gospel presentations. Yet, in the past 2 years of doing Evangelistic Outreaches in Belfast, the rooms have always been completely full.

So one thing I wondered is whether there may be more spiritual openness in Ireland today than in England? Of course, I’m an outsider so I may be wrong.  However, if it is true, then why? Perhaps it’s because Christianity has had such deep and historic roots in Ireland. It’s hard to rub out a presence that has been there for so long. Perhaps it has something to do with the Celtic character – a fire in their nature that is more easily ignited. Perhaps it’s because N. Ireland, unlike England, suffered so terribly over the past 30 years with the political strife.

One thing was clear: seekers and skeptics are willing to consider Christ if approached in the right way – and Irish Christians are truly hungry to learn how to share their faith with greater confidence and competence.

Any thoughts  - especially from Europeans -  as to whether the spiritual climate in Ireland is different from England? And if so – why? And what differences do you see on the continent in terms of spiritual openness compared to the U.K.?

We will be ministering in Singapore and then Sabah from July 24-August 4. Please keep us in your prayers! I look forward to sharing with you what we see God doing in Southeast Asia on our return.