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This dear brother, Kobill Jude, was known to some from Kilskeery who visited Uganda a little while ago and his faithfulness and godliness was spoken of warmly.

The prayerful sympathies of Christians here in Kilskeery Free Presbyterian Church are sincerely offered at this sad time to his whole family and circle of fellow labourers for the Lord.

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them,” Revelation 14:13.

The following statement has been issued by the Free Presbyterian Mission Board.

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UGANDA – It is with great sadness that we inform you of the sudden death of Master Kobill Jude, one of our dedicated teachers at the Emmanuel Christian School, Uganda. He was killed on Sunday afternoon in a motorbike accident, at just thirty-nine years of age.

Master Jude had taught RE in the Primary School for thirteen years, and was the P7 Class teacher. He was also a very able translator at School assemblies.

There was a very large attendance at his funeral service on Monday including the staff and P7 pupils of the Emmanuel School. Rev Carscadden was one of the speakers at the service. As a mark of respect, the Emmanuel School was closed for the day.

Master Jude was also a part time Pastor, and he was killed as he returned from preaching at a Church service where he had spoken of ‘running the race and passing on the baton’.

His wife Madam Sylvia is also one of our Primary teachers and their four children are all pupils at the school.

We extend to them all our deepest sympathy.

Please pray for Master Jude’s family, the school and our missionaries at this very sad and difficult time.

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Here are a few pictures of Mr. Jude’s funeral service:

 

 

I have been informed that the late Mr George McConnell, long time faithful supporter of the Free Presbyterian Church missionary outreaches, sent in a letter of resignation to Presbytery at the beginning of this year (2025), explaining that he could no longer serve in the position he had occupied for many years because of its treatment of Rev David DiCanio.

Mr McConnell had a very high regard for Mr DiCanio and felt that his treatment by the Free Presbyterian Church, resulting in his expulsion as a missionary, was disgraceful.

However, I understand that his letter was not read out in full and the impression was left with the members of Presbytery that he had resigned because of ill-health.

That was not the reason but it likely suited the officers of Presbytery for the members of Presbytery to go away with that impression.

Mr McConnell was held in high regard by all within the Free Presbyterian Church and his views regarding the treatment of Rev David DiCanio would have alarmed many people and, doubtless, embarrassing questions would have been asked of the Presbytery officers.

If I am mistakenly informed about this issue, the Presbytery can easily set the matter straight by publishing Mr McConnell’s letter of resignation and I will certainly inform the readers of ‘The Burning Bush’ of the true facts.

It is important that the name and honour of a faithful man be upheld and that the reason for his resignation not be disgracefully concealed and misrepresented by a withholding of the truth on this matter.

Perhaps some member of Presbytery, on reading this, will ask for the letter to be read out in full to Presbytery, for I feel that, as is the usual case, there will be no response to what I publish!

Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)

“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God,” 2 Corinthians 4:1-2.

The following was posted by Roy Wilson on his Facebook page at around 11 pm on 12 August 2025.

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When i was a DUP councillor in Ballymoney council, 2005 – 2009 new legislation was brought in to allow same sex marriage to be legalised in the borough. Mervyn was a sitting councillor as well at that time and was the DUP group leader. We always had group meetings before the monthly council meeting, but on the particular day that this law was to passed, I wasn’t told that the group meeting was changed to the middle of the day. The rest of the group decided that at the council meeting a statement would be read out saying how the DUP didn’t agree with it, but allowing it to pass.

As a born again Christian, I knew this went against everything I was taught and I also knew it would offend my saviour and Lord. The new law was going against everything God’s word proclaimed. 

So I spoke up at the council meeting, making a proposal that ” the council would not allow civil partnership marriages to take place in any government buildings nor within the borough of Ballymoney. My motion was seconded by my colleague councillor Audrey Patterson. It went to a vote and all my other DUP colleagues abstained from the vote, including Mervyn Storey.

But the unbelievable happened after the meeting when Mervyn pulled Audrey and myself aside and threatened us with the party whip, to not do anything like that again.

I made it very clear to Mervyn, I serve my master Jesus Christ first, then the party.

All this that has come out now about Mervyn doesn’t surprise me, he showed his true side to Audrey and myself. And since then the DUP has only went down a slippery slope when it comes to God’s laws

Shortly after this I resigned from bring a councillor and the party. I couldn’t stay in an organisation that sang about God on a Sunday to please people, but during the week stuck their fingers in God’s eye’s.

Peter Robinson rang me shortly after I resigned and I told him ” I wouldn’t tell the media my reason for leaving” it was simply put down as personal reasons. 

So there you have it, my real reason for leaving. And in my view, Mervyn needs to choose who he wants to serve. God or man. And Ballymoney free Presbyterian church should definitely be asking him this question. 

The country can do without Mervyn Storey, but it definitely can’t do without God, the one true God Jehovah. And He can definitely work without any politician.

Amen

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The link to the post is here:

Roy Wilson 12 August 2025 Facebook post