17/ Feb
CE Convention 2023
The 108th Irish National CE Convention will be held on Saturday 23rd September 2023. Hosted by the Belfast Union, it will be held in the T3 Conference Centre, Vic-Ryn, Lisburn. The Rev Roland Watt will speak on the theme, ‘Jesus is Lord of all’. When asked to tell a little about himself this is what he had to say.
The 108th Irish National CE Convention will be held on Saturday 23rd September 2023. Hosted by the Belfast Union, it will be held in the T3 Conference Centre, Vic-Ryn, Lisburn. The Rev Roland Watt will speak on the theme, ‘Jesus is Lord of all’. When asked to tell a little about himself this is what he had to say.
“I am Roland James Watt and am from Pomeroy, County Tyrone. After leaving the Royal School Dungannon I studied at Stranmillis University College and became a teacher. My first teaching practice was in Malvern Primary School in the Lower Shankill, Belfast. I did supply teaching for five years working in various schools including Cookstown High and Omagh Academy. My main subject was Religious Education with music.
Over the years I have had many good and godly influences on my life, including in my family, Church, schools and university. I trusted in Jesus as my Lord and Saviour as a young boy and have been nourished in the faith through His Word. Over the years I have had opportunities to serve the Lord in Sunday School, Youth Fellowship, Choir, Disabled Christian Fellowship, Open Doors and the King’s Chorale.
I began studying for the ministry in 2010 in Union Theological College. I had short placements in Cavanaleck and Aughentaine, Moy and Benburb, Sixmilecross and Clogherney Presbyterian Churches. Having asked for a country church for my Assistantship I was sent to Immanuel Presbyterian Church in the Lower Shankill, where I had started my teaching practice ten years earlier. God certainly does move in mysterious ways and I thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from being in Immanuel.
It was in Immanuel on Agnes Street that I witnessed the benefit and value of the work of the Christian Endeavour. It was in Agnes Street Presbyterian that the first CE in Ireland began through the work of a Sunday School teacher, Margaret Magill. Each year in Immanuel I enjoyed singing the CE hymn, ‘Ireland for Christ.’
In 2016 I was called to Killymurris Presbyterian Church, Glarryford, in rural County Antrim. I have the privilege and responsibility of proclaiming the truth of God’s Word as I pastor the flock here. I am looking forward to speaking at the Irish CE Convention this year on “Jesus is Lord of all” and may what we do and say be done ‘For Christ and the Church.’”
