Belfast, Northern Ireland – Hope Charity Shop, an outreach of the Church of the Nazarene, Skegoneill Avenue, opened its doors for business 15 May. The new thrift store is designed to help the church build ministry connections with the local community and immigrants such as the Filipinos who have moved there.
The church has been ministering globally and locally for 73 years. Recently, the church of 50 noticed considerable social change in their local area, with an influx of ethnic groups mainly from India, Pakistan and the Philippines.
“We are a small evangelical church that has always been involved in foreign mission activity and we felt called to have a more direct outreach closer to home,” said Rev. Robert Birnie, the church’s pastor.
The concern now was to find a way to put that calling into action.
The church members who work in the shop will have the opportunity to get acquainted with regular shoppers. As relationships deepen, the staff will invite them to bring their children to Sunday school or to other church activities, such as the Independence Day Extravaganza.
“It is a great idea and vision as it gives the church a significant presence in the community,” said Rev. Colin H. Wood, superintendent of the British Northern Isles District. “It is a practical ministry and a way of raising funds to re-invest in the program and outreach of the church. It gives volunteers who operate the charity shop a ministry and opportunities to make contact and build relationships with people.”
According to Mulhall, no more than 2-3% of the local community realize the church exists or know what it is about. The shop is located in an area where rivalries and violence exist between different nationalities as well as religions. Strangers are often asked their religion or background before their name.
If the shop is successful in reaching its goals, this autumn the church will discuss the possibility of starting similar stores in the future. The money raised from the shop will go towards church funds, supporting a local charity and maintaining our support for international Nazarene charities. In the past the church has sent donations to Rwanda and Haiti. Crowe Foundation, a Nazarene charity in Northern Ireland, and the British Isles North District, provided support to open the shop.
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Click on the image to view more pictures of the Hope Charity Shop.