I gave the following word of testimony in Bethany Free Presbyterian Church in November 26th, 20 years ago. In it I pay a very much deserved tribute to my wife Ann, now in the glory since 8th June, 2024. She it was who bore the burden of pioneering Christian Education with the opening of Kilskeery Independent Christian School, September 1978 and being my wife and companion during the years of Republican terrorism.
I was speaking just some 6 months before the disastrous decision was taken by Dr Ian Paisley to enter power-sharing with Sinn Fein/IRA.
I believe that his decision had a most detrimental impact upon the witness and stand of the Free Presbyterian Church.
It is clear from what I said 20 years ago, that the signs of departure and backsliding were already to be seen. I said back then that I was determined to withstand such lawlessness and retreat as God helped me. I am still of that mind today as I face censure from those within our Presbytery who have become increasingly opposed to the continuation of the stand taken by the Free Presbyterian Church at its founding in 1951.
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There is a mistake in my testimony with regard to when I was interviewed by Presbytery in 1964 with a view to becoming a student for the Gospel ministry. I said that I first appeared at the December Presbytery in 1964, when it was actually the November Presbytery that I was first interviewed.
I attended the December Presbytery to preach upon the text that had been given me the previous month — “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light,” 1 Peter 2:9.
I was told by the Presbytery that night that I was to start as a student in January 1965.