The older generation of religiously minded Catholics are gradually passing on, leaving the younger generation to discover its place in a diverse cultural context dominated by a postmodern mindset. (photo courtesy of GEM)
Ireland (MNN) ― A program called Serve the City (STC) is reaching the lost in Dublin, Ireland by living out the Gospel through practical service and social justice.
A 23-year-old Irishman named Lorcan visited the home of his mentally ill mother and was surprised to find several people clearing trash out of the rooms and getting ready to paint. He wanted to know more about their motivation, so he now meets regularly with Greater Europe Mission missionaries and wants to help with future service projects.
STC partners with local authorities, corporation leaders, and churches to mobilize believers and non-believers to serve the community. Including nonbelievers expands the scope of the outreach even further.
"[Nonbelievers] rub shoulders with Christians," said GEM missionary Brandon Wellcome, "and this can spark discussions. That's a key part of this ministry."
It began in 2006, when an Irishman named Alan heard about an STC organization in Dublin and wanted to show Christ's love in a hands-on way. He and his wife partner with Brandon & Kristy Wellcome to run STC.
"We talk about improving the quality of life for people--" said Wellcome. "not only for those we serve but for those who are serving. That's a Kingdom principle - putting your hands to serve your neighbor."
This summer STC will partner with Urban Soul, a four-day event involving 350 people and a special speaker.
"Planning for Urban Soul has given us a lot of exposure and connections with other people in the city," Wellcome said. "We're looking forward to seeing what might happen after the event."
About 10 percent of Ireland's 4 million people are immigrants, and 6 percent live in poverty. Only 1.6 percent of the population is evangelical -- the smallest percentage in the English-speaking world. Church attendance in non-Catholic denominations declined from 10 percent to 3.4 percent during the 20th century.
Half of the population is under 28 years old. Although the younger generation generally turns away from the institutional church, it is seeking spiritual meaning, and the evangelical church has grown more in the past 10 to 20 years than it has in the past 130 years.
