About Us
If you are planning to come along to a service in Sloan Street we hope you find it a comfortable and encouraging experience. Here are a few things things that might be helpful before you arrive.
Sloan Street Presbyterian Church Building is situated in the Co Down side of Lisburn City, in the vicinity of large residential areas. Our vision is “Making and growing disciples of Jesus” and we firmly believe that the greatest manifestation of His care is the offer of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.
Our chief purpose is to glorify God, as we worship Him in our lives and during times of corporate worship, which should be meaningful and vibrant. We seek to build a fellowship where all are accepted and encouraged in their faith, regardless of age and social background.
WHO WE ARE
Andrew Faulkner
Lead Minister
Andrew is from Durham in the North-East of England and gained a passport to Northern Ireland by marrying Jessica who is from Portadown. They have 3 children, David, Beth and Charis.
After teaching PE in Portadown College and Fort Hill College he trained for ministry at Union Theological College before serving as assistant minister in Hill Street church Lurgan and arrived in Sloan Street in 2012. Andrew’s role in Sloan Street focusses on regular preaching in our Sunday services and leading the church focussing on its mission to make and grow disciples of Jesus.
Matthew Kelso
Assistant Minister
Matthew grew up in Ballymena, and he still misses Slemish every day. He met his wife, Laura, while he studied English at Queen’s University Belfast. After finishing his degree, Matthew worked in Ballykeel Presbyterian Church, in Ballymena, as a Youth & Families Worker. During this time, God called him to full-time ministry. He recently completed three years of studies in Union Theological College in Belfast and now serves in Sloan Street as the Assistant Minister. His role involves preaching God’s Word, and pastorally caring for people, so that disciples grow closer to Jesus; become more dependent on the Spirit; and give glory to the Father. A part-time West Brom fan and a full-time Star Wars fan, Matthew can usually be spotted – surrounded by books – in Ground Coffee surrounded by six books on the go!
George McClelland
Pastoral Care
George McClelland is a retired minister in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. He worked in the bank before going into ministry. His wife, Judith died in November 2011. He has 3 daughters, all married and he has 9 grandchildren. He commenced his ministry in South Armagh for 7 years. He served in Magheragall Presbyterian. For 4 years he was National Director of The Boys’ Brigade. Finally he was minister in Tandragee until 2016, when he joined Sloan St. congregation as a member.
Rachael Gamble
Discipleship Facilitator
Rachael is from Lurgan and has been part of Sloan Street for just over two years. After graduating from Queen’s University Rachael interned here while taking part in the Cornhill Training Course and she now works in Sloan Street as a Discipleship Facilitator. She is passionate about all kinds of people becoming disciples of Jesus who grow and make other disciples of Jesus. She is particularly involved in working with our children, young people, and women, and loves any opportunity to grab a coffee and chat about Jesus. Alongside working in Sloan Street Rachael is studying for a Masters degree in Theology through Union College in Belfast and loves thinking about how to convey the great truths we believe in a way that is accessible and helpful for all kinds of Christians, whatever their age or stage.
Liz Doherty
Administrator
Liz is employed as our part time administrator. She comes from Lisburn and is married with one son. Liz first attended Sloan Street Presbyterian as a fresh-faced teenager and after some time away with work and also living in Scotland, she returned to Sloan Street in 2013. Her work background consists of roles in the public sector and administration but currently works in the funeral industry on the days that she isn’t in Sloan Street Church.
NEW TO CHURCH?
Read on to find out everything you need to know about our Sunday worship services.
If you’ve never been to a service in Sloan Street (or any other church come to that) here’s a little of what to expect.
When you arrive someone will greet you at the door and show you into a seat. Nobody has reserved seats, you’ll never be taking someone else’s favourite position!
There is no dress code, people come in all kinds of clothing because we are all kinds of people. Whatever you look like, someone else will look like that too in the building!
The service always features songs, that are led by our music group, and someone leading us in prayer from the front. We encourage everyone to stand together when they sing and to silently pray together during the prayer”.
There is a children’s talk after which boys and girls aged 3-11 can leave for our children’s programme called Adventurers (3-4 year olds) and Treasure Seekers (Primary School age). The talk is on the part of the Bible that they will be looking at in their age specific groups when they go out and they can be collected from those rooms when the service is over.
There is a creche for under 3’s which can be used either for the whole of the service or just part of it, it’s up to you, we’re happy to have little children in the service too!
The main part of the service is preaching through a book of the Bible, where we believe God still speaks to us today.
We finish every service by standing together to hear a short prayer from the Bible.
One of the best ways to see what our service is like is to check it out on YouTube.
If you’d like to tell us that you’re coming so we can look out for you, email us on info@sloanstreet.org. (but you can just as easily turn up on the day!)
We look forward to seeing you soon!