Ivan Foster retired as a minister of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster in November 2008. He had formed a number of Free Presbyterian congregations in the west of Ulster and pastored two of them, Lisbellaw/Bethel congregation from 1967-1976 and Kilskeery congregation from 1978 until his retirement. He has preached quite extensively in Canada and the USA, having links with the formation of the church in Newtown Square, Pa. The congregation outgrew its premises and relocated to nearby Malvern, during the pastorate of Rev John Greer.
He lives with Ann his wife, whom he married on 8th March 1968, in Kilskeery, a village in which his paternal great-grandmother was born and where his paternal forebears resided for three previous generations at least.
He has continued to preach in Kilskeery Independent Christian School, (pioneered by Mrs Ann Foster from its foundation in 1979 until her retirement as Principal in 2008) at the school assemblies twice a week, though now as he has reached his 80th birthday, he has reduced that to once a week, though he continues to write articles for ‘The Burning Bush’ as the Lord gives opportunity. He also preaches occasionally at Sabbath services.