New Minister at Killead and Loanends Presbyterian Churches – Rev David Morrison

Everyone at Killead Presbyterian and Loanends Presbyterian Churches are looking forward to welcoming Rev David Morrison to the pulpit as their new Minister.

Thirty-three-year-old David, who grew up on a farm in Cloughmills, was a member of Ballyweaney Presbyterian Church and has now been married to Barbara for ten years. The couple are loving parents to four girls, Hannah (8), Grace (5), Chloe (4) and Phoebe, who is ten months old.

His testimony is a simple story of God’s grace.
He said: “Although I was brought up to go to church and was actively involved in church activities, it wasn’t until I was 17 years old that I came to saving faith in Christ.

“It was through the Scripture Union at school in which I became friends with a Christian from my rugby team. Through talking with him that I realised that I needed to have what he had. I came to the realisation that I needed Jesus to forgive my sins and be my Saviour and Lord of my life. Ever since His grace has sustained and strengthened me as I seek to follow Him.”

David’s education began at Knockahollet Primary School, and he then attended Cambridge House Grammar School in Ballymena. Initially, he studied Medicinal chemistry at Queen’s University, Belfast but after feeling God’s calling, he changed to do a Bachelor of Theology at Queens through Union Theological College.

After graduating, David was employed as the Community Outreach Worker in First Donaghadee for five years before pursuing the path to ordained ministry within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

Currently, he is serving as the assistant minister in Scrabo Presbyterian Church in the West Winds in Newtownards.

Talking about his experiences there, David said: “My time in Scrabo Presbyterian church has been such a blessing to myself and my family. Through the past five years I have had the privilege of walking alongside a number of people both through the ups and the downs of life. It has been so encouraging to see how Jesus has not only given people the strength to preserve through hardships but that through such time I have seen how they were formed and shaped more and more into the image of Christ.”

He added: “My time in Scrabo only went to grow my heart for discipleship for not only did I see it’s importance but I was able to see people who were transformed by God’s grace through the means of grace. Although we are ready for the new challenge that the Lord has prepared for us in Killead and Loanends Presbyterian churches we will miss our brothers and sisters in Christ in Scrabo.”

As he looked forward to the next stage of his ministry, David went on to say: “There is nothing that gives me more joy than seeing believers engage in God’s Word. I have been humbled to see a number of people grow in their love of God’s Word and subsequently their love of the Lord Himself during my time in Scrabo. It would be my prayer that we would see many grow in their zeal for God’s Word and through that that people may grow in Christian maturity.”

In his spare time, David enjoys watching all sports and keenly follows Ulster Rugby. He also enjoys listening to audiobooks and exploring the beautiful Northern Irish countryside on foot.

Find out more about both churches on their websites – Killead Presbyterian Church and Loanends Presbyterian Church