Sam McGeown |
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The Crosslinks' Web Interview, July 2007 (another one!)
Sam McGeown will be joining the Belfast office in August. He very bravely told us a bit about himself:
So Sam what will you be your position at Crosslinks?
My position is called the Northern Senior Team Member or NSTM for short! What it basically means is I will be working under our Ireland Team Leader Tim Silk, helping to support the staff in Belfast and hopefully get churches more involved and excited in God’s mission.
How will your experience in the past help you to do this?
I first got into Mission when I was a student at Belfast Bible College in the last 1980s.I worked at a Mission resource centre and was struck by just how many people in the world didn't know about Christ. I went to Japan when I was 20 to teach English through churches in the Osaka region of Japan. Whilst there I worked with 5 churches before planting a church and an evangelistic English school in Sakai City. I also pioneered a homeless and a Black Gospel Choir Ministry for Japanese people.
In 2002 I left Japan and went to do a Bachelor of Theology at Ridley College in Melbourne Australia. Whilst studying I also became the minister of the Japanese church in Melbourne. After finishing my BTH I stayed on at the church but also worked at CMS Victoria as their Young Adults Coordinator and with a preaching team from Ridley that visited country dioceses across Australia.
I hope I can draw upon these experiences to help me serve the church across Ireland.
Sam tell us a bit about yourself?
I grew up in in North Belfast in proximity of the roar of the hatchet men (Crusaders FC). I now live in Greenisland. I am married to Yoriko (from Japan) and we have 3 kids Rae(7), Megumi (5) and Nina (3).We have a rabbit called Harrison(nothing to do with George) who spends most of his time trying to escape from our back garden. We love living under Knockagh monument and think this is a pretty special place top live. I love football and rugby and dabble in a bit of cricket from time to time. I enjoy watching movies、making and drinking good coffee and tea, reading books and exploring Celtic Christian ancient ruins and sites.
Has Northern Ireland changed much since you were away?
Yes it has. We cant get over the change even in the last 4 years. One thing that we’ve noticed is the increase in other nationalities that are making their home in the province. This is exciting as it presents the churches with a tremendous opportunity to reach the world for Christ on their doorstep.
It also provides us with an alternative to ____ and chips!
So you are not too impressed with Irish food then?
Don't get me wrong. I love fish and chips. That was the one thing that I really missed when I was away from Northern Ireland. Its just nice to have a choice without chips from time to time. I think I have been spoilt because Yoriko is a top cook. I hope we can introduced the Crosslinks staff and supporters to some good Japanese cooking. Anyone for sushi?
How are you feeling about your new position?
We really sense that the Lord has called us back to Northern Ireland for our work with Crosslinks and we cant wait to get stuck in.
Thanks, Sam - we'll look forward to the formation of the Crosslinks (Ireland) Japanese Black Gospel Choir