Meet the Minister
Hi, I'm Jackie,
I was born in Sandy Row, Belfast in 1960, the second youngest of six children. My beautiful wife, Allison and I have been married for 25 years plus. We have two daughters, Alana and Lauren, and a dog called Pip.
There wasn’t much contact with church when I was a child. However I began to seek God in 1986 at the age of 26. I didn’t know where to look but as I was reading through a newspaper at work one day I saw an advert for a free book about the Christian faith. Having read the book and John’s gospel I committed my life to Jesus one evening alone at home. I joined the local Presbyterian Church called Richview in the same year of my conversion and grew in faith there. I was hungry to know more of God and having left my job of 15 years in a car factory, I applied to the Belfast Bible College to study for 3 years. After that I was called into the work of the Belfast City mission in 1992 serving God for 15 years in North Belfast.
In 2005, I began to feel what I can only describe as “the prompting of God” to move in the direction of ministry within PCI. I prayerfully considered it for some time and talked with others about it as well. I applied for the ministry and after a period of interviews and discussions was accepted into training for ministry in 2007. In 2012 after my training in May, I was called to Upper & Lower Clonaneese Presbyterian churches.
I enjoy playing and listening to music such as Elvis, Neil Diamond, and the greatest rock blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa. In my teens and twenties I played guitar and drums in various bands doing the pubs and clubs but now I play for the Lord. I love the Lord, my family (including the dog), the Christian life, the church, to read, to sing, to eat (I enjoy anything but marzipan!) walk the dog, play music, and to study. I enjoy watching Columbo, Dad’s Army, anything to do with good wholesome comedy and good wholesome movies.
My favourite bible verses are (John 20 v 30&31) “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."
Praise the Lord!!
Jackie
The History of the Clonaneese Churches
"The word 'Presbyterian' comes from the two words in the Greek New Testament, 'Presbuterous' (1 Timothy 5:17-19) meaning Presbyter or Elder and 'Presbuteron' meaning a council of Ruling Elders. John Calvin believed, when studying the Scriptures, that in the N.T. Apostolic Church the offices of presbyter and elder were one and the same. Therefore, he believed that the Church should be governed by groups rather than individuals, by synods rather than bishops. He also argued that bishops were presbyters and presbyters bishops, that they were interchangeable terms, as in Acts chapter 20, when Paul appears to call the church leaders in Ephesus both presbyters and bishops."
Clonaneese Congregation Founded
"As there is no townland or district called Clonaneese today, where the churches of Upper and Lower Clonaneese are situated, it has led to much speculation concerning their history and how they got their name. A map has been discovered however, showing how Tyrone was divided up during the plantation. The map clearly shows 'Clonenis' not as a rural townland, but rather as an area or locality, covering twenty-six townlands, and the Clonaneese churches are placed within this region. This suggests that 'Clonenis' was an actual district, or manor when the churches were founded. This region had been given its name in 1609, but sadly it is not known when or how the name disappeared." - (A History of the Clonaneese Presbyterian Churches 1728-2010 by J.W. Fleck).
The first Presbyterians in the Clonaneese area worshipped in the Parish Church in Killeeshil. In 1617 the Rev Robert Hamilton, a Scottish Presbyterian, was installed as Rector. He did not conduct the services according to the rituals of the Anglican Church and was ejected for this non-conformity in 1622. The Presbyterians built a small mud house in the townland of Innish, commonly called the "Clabber House", to meet for worship. In 1728 they applied for a Minister of their own and supplies of preaching were granted. In 1743 they rented land from the Earl of Charlemont and built a new meeting house the next year, 1744. Some years later, a mill race was dug within a few feet off the meeting house and this caused flooding. So in 1788 money was raised to raise the building, which was built in a hollow beside the Oona Water. When the money was raised the minister and a majority of the Congregation decided to build a new meeting house on higher ground. Many others objected, saying they did not want to be "removed from their ancient seat". The new meeting house was built while the others remained, both called themselves Clonaneese, but in 1809 they were in the Presbyteries of Upper and Lower Tyrone, and as geographically the upper and lower names suited they have been officially known as this since.
Get the book
A book, written by our former Minister, Rev Dr John W Fleck containing the full history of Upper and Lower Clonaneese Presbyterian Churches between 1728 and 2010 is available to purchase. If you would like to purchase a book, contact us.
