Carscadden family start for Uganda

This report appeared in yesterday’s (23/6/23) ‘Belfast Newsletter’ and I know it will be of interest to many and the family will be remembered in prayer as they embark on their journey.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster


Northern Ireland minister and his family on a mission to Uganda to spread God’s word

A Northern Ireland minister has answered God’s call and is on his way to Uganda with his family to lead a local mission there.

Rev Ray Carscadden, who has been the minister of Coragarry Free Presbyterian Church in Co Monaghan since October 2017, is to begin a new life at the Emmanuel Mission Station, approximately 80 miles south of the Ugandan capital Kampala.

The mission station consists of the Emmanuel Church, of which Rev Carscadden will become minister, and the Emmanuel Christian School, whose principal is Noreen McAfee from Ballymoney Free Presbyterian Church, a missionary in Africa for more than 20 years.

Before travelling to Uganda, Rev Carscadden, his wife Rhonda and their children John, Isla-Grace and George were the subject of a Sending Forth Service in Dungannon Free Presbyterian Church which was attended by nearly 300 people.

Rev Carscadden, his wife Rhonda and their children John, Isla-Grace and George

Rev Carscadden, a former Science and Technology teacher at Clogher Valley Independent Christian School, was a member of Kesh Free Presbyterian Church before being called into the ministry.

Having completed four years of study at the Whitefield College of the Bible, he became minister at Coragarry Free Presbyterian Church in 2017.

Of his call to serve the Lord in Uganda he said: “For many years I have been burdened for the Lord’s cause in Uganda and was thrilled to hear, several years ago, of the open door for a Free Presbyterian witness there at Emmanuel Christian School.

“Last year my family and I had the opportunity to visit Uganda and in due course, the Lord has led me to apply to the Mission Board, to work as a missionary in that land.

Those who took part in the Sending Forth Service in Dungannon Free Presbyterian Church for the Carscadden family. Back Row Standing (L to R) Mr Jonathan McAuley, Miss Tirzah Walker, Rev James Porter, Mr Alastair Hamilton, Rev Raymond Robinson, Mr David Moore. Front Row Seated (L to R) Revs David McMillan, Colin Mercer (Mission Board Chairman), Ray Carscadden, John Armstrong (Moderator of Presbytery), and Gordon Dane.

“The Lord has proved Himself faithful to me over the years of study and the five blessed years which have followed as minister in Coragarry.

“He has been faithful not only to me, but to my wife Rhonda, and our children John, George and Isla-Grace and we are sure of His faithfulness for the days to come.”

He said that his family will be devoting a lot of time in coming months to learning the local language in Uganda.