In 1965, teenager Cathy Macleod left her home in Northern Ireland to attend the first European Institute (later called Nazarene Youth Congress) in Innsbruck, Austria. She was captivated by the experience. The daughter of pastors and church planters Rev and Mrs James Macleod (‘passionate Nazarenes all their days’), Cathy had learned early on that she was part of a global church. Still, she marveled at her first encounter with the actual evidence: young believers from other countries, worshiping God with the same songs she knew, but in their own languages. It was a taste of heaven on earth.

“For me, it was mind-blowing to meet Italian Nazarenes and German Nazarenes,” Cathy says, remembering her experience. “It was just amazing.”

Seeds of a passion for the global Church sprouted. Cathy pursued a degree in German, then a teaching diploma. After graduating she spent a year as a teaching assistant in Germany, where she attended the Frankfurt Church of the Nazarene.

In 1974 Cathy married her longtime friend, Paul Tarrant. Paul brought his own love for medical missions to their relationship. Paul’s parents, Rev and Mrs David Tarrant were also Nazarene pastors and church planters. They began their marriage as children’s missioners in London during the Blitz of World War II. Cathy and Paul’s heritage of passion for mission was a major cornerstone for their own lifestyle of service to the local and global Church. “It just felt like we were always involved in mission,” Cathy says, reflecting on those early days.

At the General Nazarene Youth International (NYI) Convention in 1980, Paul was elected as Regional Rep to the Global NYI Council. Inspired by the Youth-in-Mission program, Paul launched Euro-Mission, a Regional youth mission program. For five summers he and Cathy would tote their four young boys and a team of young leaders across county and country lines. Sometimes Cathy cooked, sometimes she translated; always she focused on living out Acts 1:8—one of her favorite verses. “Sometimes we’re just to be witnesses where we live, in our community,” she says. “Other times He calls us a bit further, to the next town or country to facilitate mission.” A decade later in his case, Paul was assisting the Eurasia Region to develop compassionate ministry openings in eastern European countries. “As we are willing, God calls us to be involved in all of those areas as much as we can. Sometimes to go, sometimes to support, to pray, or help other people go. But always to be interested in caring.”

Cathy became her local Nazarene World Missions Society (NWMS – later Nazarene Missions International) president in 1992. In 1995, the British Isles North District (BIND) elected her district NWMS president. Whatever the opportunity, the work of mission continued. “I don’t remember a big difference in becoming president,” Cathy says, “other than it gives you a platform to be able to advocate for Nazarene Missions, but it was a huge responsibility.” The response of going when called, serving where needed – that never changed. “That’s just something everybody ought to do; everyone ought to be involved.”

In the years that followed, Cathy and Paul would make trips to places like Romania, Kosovo, and Macedonia, visiting missionaries, leading workshops, and bringing teams from the UK churches to serve in myriad ways. Cathy would speak on her home district wherever she was invited, relishing opportunities of drawing believers together in service of one another. No conversation was too small, no ability discounted.

“I have realized that Cathy’s one-to-one welcome is very much the essence of her missional heart,” shares Ruth Turner, BIND District Superintendent. Ruth and Cathy have known each other since Ruth was 14 . “Cathy cares about Jesus and she cares about people,” Ruth says. Paul and Cathy together “have always counted it a privilege and a joy to serve,” she adds. “They exemplify what it is to have a heart and desire to come together as God’s people, and their delight in the gathered family of God, locally and globally, is infectious.”

Once, Cathy asked a congregation in Belfast, “Who’s good with a hammer?” It was 2000, just after the war in Kosovo had ended, and Cathy and Paul were recruiting a team to travel and construct roofs on Kosovar homes. A few people raised their hands.  “Also,” Cathy added in an off–hand manner, clearly up to something, “Who likes to drink tea?” A lot more hands went up.

Recalling the story, she laughs. ”Well, in Ireland,” she says, “almost everybody does.” She told the congregation that in every home they would visit, volunteers would find “these lovely little glass cups,” adding that Kosovars also loved their hot beverages, and that “there’s tea on the stove all of the time.” With that, Cathy had effectively broken down the barriers that so often dissuade Christians from moving to action.

“I spoke to all people,” she says, “to help them understand the privilege and the responsibility.” When a handful of handymen stepped forward to join, so did Edith. A newer believer and single mother, Edith felt ill-equipped for the task but felt led to apply. On her application, she noted she had no applicable skills. Paul asked if she was willing to do what was asked of her. Edith said yes.

When our group of 9 landed, Carol, the woman in charge of food for the resident team, realized her work was more than one person could handle, and would Edith be willing to help as cook for the duration of the trip?

“And Edith said, ‘Yes!’” Cathy says, her voice full of joy. “She was a great cook. She had such a wonderful time with Carol. They would go off to the market together and just have great fellowship and fun as they did the cooking.”

“It was such a lovely illustration,” Cathy adds. “She didn’t feel able, didn’t think that she had any skills to offer. She did, and actually had a great time.”

In 2013, Cathy was elected as Eurasia Region’s representative to the Global NMI Council, where she continued her work of humbly, patiently, joyfully reaching out to serve all.

“My hope was for other people to catch the vision;” she says, “to realize that each one can do something as well. They can all have a part if their gifts and talents are all available for God to use, and they can see how exciting and enriching it is to be a part of this.”

Cathy shares Deuteronomy 31:8 as the verse she has clung to over these many long years of service: “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

“There are plenty of discouragements along the way as well,” she says, “which is why I think about that verse: ‘Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,’ because often I am, you know, feeling my enthusiasm and joy has been punctured… There are a lot of things that are setbacks, but when I think about the highlights and what God has done—the enrichment that we have enjoyed from all these connections I feel so blessed. Because I’m from a small family, the church has always been my extended family.”

At their recent District Assembly, British Isles North honoured Cathy for her 30 years of service as District NMI president. Though she has retired from the official post, her impact has shaped the way those on the district will see the world for years to come.

“There is no doubt that Cathy’s 30 years will leave a legacy in the District NMI which I know will shape its future,” Ruth says. “That foundation that she has laid will be one of care and genuine interest for others, ensuring that all are welcomed in the name of Jesus.  When Cathy is present no one is a stranger; I pray that this would continue in the heart of NMI as we continue to intentionally reach the stranger and lead them into the family of God.”