On Sabbath 14 September, more than a thousand people from various congregations of the Irish Mission, spanning the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, came together for a Day of Fellowship. The atmosphere was filled with joy and a deep sense of unity as we gathered to worship and strengthen our faith, feeling the bond that unites us all.
The Day of Fellowship was also a moment to pay tribute to outgoing President Pastor Dan Serb, who served the Irish Mission with dedication for 11 years. Current President Pastor Adam Keough emphasised the importance of unity and embracing everyone, regardless of language or culture in his welcome address to the audience.
On that Sabbath morning, my family and I left for Dublin at 7:00 am to attend the Irish Mission Day of Fellowship at Betania church. We were looking forward to a beautiful day of great fellowship.
Heartfelt worship, powerful sermons, and a multicultural connection
The worship sessions were inspiring as the music team led the congregation in beautiful and heartfelt praises. "The music was incredibly moving. Those moments of praise gave me goosebumps!" said Janete Azevedo, a Brazilian living in Waterford, Ireland, for nearly two years. This was her first Irish Mission Day of Fellowship. "The first of many, I hope," she added with a smile. "I also enjoyed the music and fellowship with other members around Ireland. It seems like heaven is already here," said Kareah Orlina, a young girl who attends Dublin West church.
Clifford Goldstein, editor of the Adult Bible Study Guide, delivered a sermon on the Gospel and Judgment, emphasising the importance of sharing the message of salvation with others. He urged the congregation to take this privilege seriously and spread the message to others.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ireland is diverse and multicultural. Some members don't speak English as their first language and struggle to comprehend it fully. The organisers arranged translation services in Portuguese, Romanian, and Ukrainian for an inclusive service.
"I dream of the moment when we will be in heaven, and there will be no more barriers, and we will all speak the same language. But until we get there, having moments like this is so special and uplifting. I felt the presence of God in this place," said Keliane Pereira, who is originally from Brazil and attends the Roscommon church. She attended the Day of Fellowship with her husband and their children, and they were happy they could follow the service with the translation to Portuguese. "An event like this makes us feel stronger," said Keliane's husband, Izaque de Souza, explaining that he was happy to see more clearly the breadth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ireland.
A moment of gratitude for pastor Dan Serb’s ministry
During the event, Pastor Adam Keough expressed gratitude to Pastor Dan Serb, the former President of the Irish Mission and current Vice Principal of Newbold College. Keough commended Serb's leadership and vision, and he credited his visionary plans with establishing Hope Media Ireland. He said, “Your leadership has been marked by grace, a kind heart, opened ears and a warm heart”
Praise, testimony, and engagement: a joyful afternoon
The afternoon programme featured beautiful musical performances from various groups and church choirs. Goldstein also shared his testimony about seeking the truth and how God worked in his life.
During the afternoon programme, we had a Kahoot quiz with questions about the morning sermon, the Bible, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ireland. It was a fun way to reinforce the morning's message and test participants' knowledge about our faith. The top three winners received a prize: an Andrews Bible.
A number of ministries were showcased in the concourse to promote involvement, including Women's Ministries, Men's Ministries, Health Ministries, Children's Ministries, Discover Truth, Adventist Community Services, Newbold College, and Hope Media Ireland. Each ministry had a stall to interact with attendees, share their vision, and encourage participation. Amerson Fortunato, Director of Hope Media Ireland, mentioned, "It has been a great opportunity for us to engage and explain our goals and vision." Hope Media Ireland is associated with Hope Channel International.
A call for unity and a song of hope
As the Day of Fellowship drew to a close, Pastor Adam Keough reminded everyone of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's mission as a remnant movement with a remnant message. He encouraged everybody to pray for unity and for their oneness to be a powerful testimony to the world, instilling a sense of inspiration and hope in all.
The final song was sung, and the voices echoed in the room, singing:
"Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future. And life is worth the living just because He lives."
Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the day possible. Your contributions were deeply appreciated. We look forward to gathering again, more united in faith.
