CHURCH FOCUS - PRAYER GROUP SOWS SEEDS OF OUTREACH
IN 1995 a group of six Christians from Dromore met to pray about an evangelical outreach in town that would involve all the churches.
This group became aware of an outreach called 'Walk of 1000 men'; mainly Christian men from throughout the UK who would walk to towns and villages in Northern Ireland, staying a few days in each to share their Christian faith, then moving on.
This small Dromore prayer group, together with other Christians and some of the local Churches, invited the 'Walk of 1000 Men' to Dromore for five days that Autumn and enjoyed sharing their faith, going to churches, factories, schools, clubs and pubs to share Christ with whomever they met.
'Walk of 1000 Men' finished and, as a group of enthusiastic Christians, the Dromore group wondered what they were going to do next. They were approached by Youth for Christ Northern Ireland to open a drop-in Centre in Dromore, and so, with much soul searching and prayer, the inaugural meeting of the Board of Dromore Youth for Christ met in April 1996.
The First Board was made up of Christians from the Presbyterian, Methodist, Elim, Baptist, Brethren and Church of Ireland churches in the town.
Their stated aim as a board was to "Win the youth of Dromore for Christ and disciple them into the church".
In October 2000, after four years of praying monthly for a building to house their planned drop-in centre, the group opened 'The Base' above the Elim church in Bridge Street and continued to be the name and face of Dromore YFC for eight years.
The Base originally opened one night each week with up to 35 young people, aged between 14 and early-20s, dropping in.
In 2001 DYFC gained two full-time workers under YFCNI's Leadership in Training programme.
As full-time workers Abbey and Marissa were able to develop the work of The Base, opening the centre a second night each week for youth club and twice weekly at lunchtime.
The Base provided a warm, safe environment where the young people could 'belong' and sense a concern and a love from the Centre workers and volunteers.
Over the years, DYFC began to see young peoples' lives transformed; some, who who had been living a life of drink, drugs and sex, committed their lives to Christ, even taking up leadership in DYFC.
Abbey and Marissa left Dromore in 2003 and Steven McCready became full-time centre co-ordinator. Steven progressed the development of DYFC, broadening its vision and opening The Base three nights a week for drop-in (ages 13-20) youth club (ages 9-13) and discipleship class for focused Bible study, all run by a number of Christian volunteers from churches around Dromore.
In 2005 Cheryl Bailie joined the staff and started up BaseKids, a weekly programme in the Base for P4-P7's.
Apart from opening the Base for drop-in and other activities, DYFC also went into local schools and churches for Scripture Union and youth fellowships.
Today DYFC continues to seek the lost and show them the all-embracing love of Jesus that they may be won by Him.
Since 2007 Steven McCready has moved on to be the National Director of YFC and Cheryl Bailie has been the full-time worker, along with yearly interns.
CHANGES AS DROP-IN TAKES TO THE ROAD
IN the summer of 2008, Dromore Youth For Christ introduced some changes which, among other things, included the launch of 'Kidsfest', a monthly event held in Dromore Central Primary School.
It was during that summer that DYFC moved away from its established drop-in at The Base, in favour ot taking it out onto the streets by way of a bus ministry.
The new ministry was dubbed 'React2:21' (based on Acts 2:21 - "Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved").
Without a centre to run a weekly kids' programme, BaseKids progressed into Kidsfest.
Along with React2:21 and Kidsfest, DYFC runs several other ministries, including a drama team, Scripture Union at local schools, and youth development programmes centring around life-skills, self-esteem and sexual health.
DYFC continues to function with the help of volunteers from the churches in town, under the guidance of its Board of Directors, chaired by Chris Rankin, and harnessing the energy of full-time workers Cheryl Bailie and Amanda Witzer, and part-time workers Anna Bingham and David Bailie.
PREPARING A VISION FOR THE FUTURE
THE board of Dromore Youth For Christ is currently putting together its next three-year vision document, an exciting time for all involved.
The group says that in order to achieve the vision for new ministry and the improvement of old ones, it needs Dromore people to get behind it, whether financially, prayerfully, or volunteering on the ground.
If you would like to help in any way you can email Cheryl (Cheryl@dromoreyfc.com) or Amanda (Amanda@dromoreyfc.com).
TABLE QUIZ
DROMORE Youth for Christ is planning to hold a table quiz, on Saturday, March 6 at 7.30pm, in the Fresh Oil Ministries and Music Centre at Princes Street.
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Weather for Dromore
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 3 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 7 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
