Introduction- a short CV, including age, early background, parents, siblings, and marital status and family-if appropriate, and education

I was born in Ballymoney, Co Antrim, in 1969, and raised in the Co Londonderry town of Coleraine.  My parents, Albert and Beth McIntyre, as loving to their children as they were ,and are, devoted to each another, raised three sons, of which I am the eldest, in the Windyhall community before purchasing a home on the Ballycastle Road.  I attended The Honourable The Irish Society Primary, before transferring to Coleraine Boys Secondary, eventually sitting A Levels in Coleraine Academical Institution.  I studied for the Christian ministry at The Whitefield College of the Bible, theological college of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster.  I have been pastoring the congregation in Clogher Valley since 2002.  In 1993 I was married to Elizabeth in Coleraine and have three children, Daniel, Rebecca and Anna who have grown up so quickly.

 

How and when did you come to faith? ( Did parents/family/ play a part?)

 

I came to faith as a child of six, asking Christ to be my Saviour; this was as a result of the teaching received at home and in my local church.

 

Does this faith play a real part in your life, or is it only for Sundays?

 

If faith is not a 7 day activity influencing every aspect of life then it is not faith.  

 

Have you ever had a crisis of faith or a knowing doubt about your faith?

 

At 13 years of age I questioned my salvation and the doubting plunged me into turmoil. When I discussed this with my parents they showed me John 6:37 where Jesus said “him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out”.  When I claimed this promise in prayer the peace that filled my soul was overwhelming.  

 

Have you ever been angry with God, and if so, why?

 

While I have never been angry with God I have found myself questioning Him.  We sing “What a Friend we have in Jesus” and yet some people experience the most horrendous suffering, physical or as a result of poor mental health.  Where is the friend we sing about?  A few years ago this troubled me greatly until I understood something very precious –  at times we don’t feel Christ’s presence and grace, we can’t understand His purposes but yet He is always present, He never will leave us alone. 

 

Do you ever get criticized for your faith, and are you able to live with that criticism?

 

Today evangelical Christians are particularly criticised for holding absolute beliefs on the inerrency of Scripture, the uniqueness of Christ as the only Saviour, the one God who created the universe and who we are accountable to. We need to face that criticism, be able to respond kindly and firmly and advocate for truths which are worth living and dying for.

 

Are you ever ashamed of your own church or denomination?

 

Every denomination has failings as every Christian has failings.  We strive as Paul did – to know Jesus more intimately.

 

Are you afraid to die, or can you look beyond death?

 

I am not afraid of death as an event because it will transport me into the ecstasy and thrill of eternal life, with my Saviour forever.  I am apprehensive though, as to how I might die.  The thought of leaving my family behind suddenly without warning unsettles me greatly.  I would like to help prepare them for my passing and have the opportunity to say farewell.  But these matters are out of my hands as I endeavour, somewhat feebly, to live each day as if it were my last.

 

Are you afraid of ‘hell-fire?”

 

All of my sin renders me deserving of hell.  Without God’s grace that’s where I would be today.  From that perspective Hell is terrifying even though I have been delivered from its torments.  I am afraid for those, however, who are still going to Hell; the apostle wrote about persuading others as one who knew the terror of the Lord.

 

Do you believe in a resurrection, and if so, what will it be like?

 

I believe in resurrection because of the fact of Christ’s resurrection.  When Christ returns every Christian will receive a new body, which will neither grow old or become sick.  Non-Christians also, will be raised to be summonsed before the Great White Throne, to be sent to the lake of fire.

 

What do you think about people of other denominations and other faiths?

 

Where other denominations preach the Gospel; faith in Christ alone, repentance of sin and the necessity of the new birth; I will gladly enjoy fellowship.  True faith, however, is impossible unless it is focused upon Christ as the one and only Saviour of mankind.  As Charles Wesley wrote “O that the world would taste and see the riches of His grace”

 

Would you be comfortable in stepping out from your own faith and trying to learn something from other people?

 

I couldn’t step away from my faith but wherever I have opportunity I will relish being able to share Christ with others.

 

Do you think that the churches here are fulfilling their mission?

 

We have been commissioned to preach Christ plainly and simply.  Some churches, however, place too much emphasis upon works rather than faith alone, focusing upon what we can do rather than what Christ has done.  To use theological terminology – the Church needs to be Augustinian rather than Pelagian in outlook.

 

Why are so many people turning their backs on organized religion?

 

Religion in and of itself is a structured philosophy; a society of friends who embrace a set of beliefs.  Without a dynamic faith in Christ alone, however, such structured religion becomes dead, formal and singularly unattractive.  For me the real question is “Why do people reject Christ who loved the world so much that He shed His blood for our salvation?”  Therein lies tragedy of tragedies.

 

Has religion helped or hindered the people of Northern Ireland?

 

Nominal religion has certainly hindered Northern Ireland.  It is said we are divided on religious grounds but many do not subscribe to the teachings of either the Protestant or the Roman Catholic Church, saying and doing on behalf of their community what Christ would not countenance.  Our division is not so much religious but political with a certain religious under-current.  If the Gospel of Christ deeply influenced our society, however, we would not have many of the sectarian and social problems which has so afflicted our history because Christ is the Prince of Peace.  From this perspective the Church can accomplish what politics and social interventions  will never achieve, through presenting  the Gospel of Christ ; the Church needs to catch this vision.

 

Some personal preferences-favourite film, book, music and why?

 

Favourite book outside Scripture – “Memories of a Wayfaring Man” by Murdoch Campbell – a delightful and humble spiritual biography that I have read and referred to many times.

 

Favourite Film – Channel 4 produced a thrilling dramatisation of Bible translator and martyr Wiliam Tyndale’s life many years ago, “God’s Outlaw”.

 

Favourite Music – “The Sands of Time are Sinking” – based on the dying words of Scottish Covenanter, Samuel Rutherford.

 

The place where you feel closest to God?

 

There is a hymn which simply says “Where Jesus is tis heaven there”; He is with me everywhere.

 

The inscription on your gravestone, if any?

 

“A Sinner saved by Grace”

 

Finally, any major regrets?

 

I haven’t prayed enough