Stephen Lowery is the teaching elder at the Whitehouse Presbyterian Church in Belfast, Ireland.
When did you trust Christ?
My childhood was in a Christian home. I heard the Gospel all my life. However, I gave my life to Christ when I was 20 years old and preparing for marriage. Through a combination of Christian influence and a strong conviction of sin, I repented and trusted in the Gospel promises of Christ.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
I've been blessed to have many Christian mentors and influential individuals as I have matured and grown as a Christian. A defining moment of my walk was the birth of my daughter. She struggles with mental and physical disabilities. Jesus is close to me and my wife through this experience. Through this, we have grown in our understanding of theology and practical faithful living.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
Other ministers from my denomination have attended and highly recommend ELF. Actively attending conferences helps to inspire me in the sufficiency and power of God's Word. I attain much from being in the company of like-minded people and individuals experiencing the same struggles as I do.
What is your ministry?
I am in leadership at the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. As teaching elder, I lead the ruling elders in my church, which is situated in inner-city Belfast. I have a two-pronged ministry. I aspire to a faithful Bible expository pulpit ministry where the whole counsel of God is proclaimed. From this pulpit ministry, I strive to facilitate opportunities for discipleship and spiritual growth.
Additionally, I am involved in reaching out to socio-economically deprived areas where poverty, crime, and drug addiction are rife. This involves mercy ministries.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
I am currently the minister or teaching elder of Whitehouse Presbyterian Church. Other churches and congregations I have served include 1st Holywood Presbyterian Church as assistant minister, Conlig Presbyterian Church, Strean Presbyterian Church, and Carrowdore Presbyterian Church as a student minister.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
The church I serve is situated in a socially deprived housing estate with thousands of people who do not know Christ. They are lost to things like drugs and criminal activity. We also serve an area with the highest suicide rate among young men. And yet, the Gospel is powerful to save! We've seen amazing things happen as we take the Gospel into our community. Of course, this is all God's work and within the ministry of the Holy Spirit. I want to do and learn whatever I can to serve this community to the best of my ability.
