Institution of the Rev Andrew Campbell in Broughshane

Thursday September 1st 2016

Report by Joe Boyd : Photos by Ivan Connor

The institution of the Rev Andrew Campbell as rector of the Parish of Skerry, Rathcavan and Newtowncrommelin took place in Broughshane on August 24.

At the institution of the Rev Andrew Campbell in Broughshane are, from left: The Rev David Ferguson, Canon Ronnie Nesbitt, Archdeacon Stephen McBride, the Rev Andrew Campbell, the Rev Dr Alan McCann, Cllr Audrey Wales MBE, Mayor of Ballymena, Bishop Alan Abernethy and the Rev Adrian Halligan. Photo; Ivan Connor.

A large congregation of worshippers gathered at St Patrick’s Parish Church to welcome 33-year-old Andrew and his wife Allison to the fellowship.

The Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, who originally sent Andrew for training before presiding over his ordination as a Deacon in 2012, conducted the Act of Institution.

Canon Ronnie Nesbitt, who was rector throughout Andrew’s curacy at Bangor Abbey, preached a challenging message while the readings were conveyed by Sally Stewart, Honorary Secretary to the Select Vestry at Bangor Abbey; Andrew’s wife, Allison and Richard Reade, a parishioner from Broughshane.

The Rev Andrew Campbell, rector of the Parish of Skerry, Rathcavan and Newtowncrommelin.

As he recounted his own story, Andrew recalled the blessing it was to be brought up in a Christian home; he and his brothers, Matthew and Timothy progressed through Church and Sunday School at North Street Presbyterian Church in Carrickfergus.

It was as a 16-year-old that Andrew committed his heart and life to the Lord at a mission in North Street. Although he will always be grateful for the teaching and faithfully ministry he received there, Andrew eventually found his spiritual home at the Anglican Parish of St Nicholas’ in Carrickfergus.

Indeed, it was during the final year of his primary degree course in Ancient History & Byzantine Studies that the Curate at St Nicholas’ offered Andrew the opportunity to shadow him for two years when he was appointed to the Chaplaincy at the University of Ulster at Jordanstown.

Following a period at Student Worker there, Andrew returned to Nicholas’ as Youth Pastor as he prepared for his training for the Ministry at Union Theological College, Belfast, and the Church of Ireland Theological Institute.

Andrew states that he was ‘extremely blessed’ to serve under two dedicated rectors during the course of his training, namely Dean John Mann at St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, and Canon Nesbitt at Bangor Abbey.

Andrew also said: “I loved both of the parishes where I was placed. St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast was a wonderful place. I would say that same in Bangor Abbey, which was part of a provincial town. It was a great Curacy Parish because it had aspects of inner city ministry in the Kilcooley Estate. There was wonderful country, rural feel in Clandeboye Estate – it was a blessing to serve in two places that were so different.”

The Rev Andrew Campbell at the gate of St Patrick’s, Broughshane.

St Patrick’s in Broughshane has 200-250 families worshipping there regularly and promises a new challenge for Andrew.

He remarks: “In any walk of life caring for that number of people is a big responsibility but it is even more daunting when you remember that it is God’s Church. Paul talks about looking after the Church that was brought with the blood of Christ when he leaves the Ephensian elders in Acts and that brings challenge. It is an even bigger task when you realise the importance of these people; the creator of time and space was prepared to die for them. I can only fulfil my calling with the help of God.”

Andrew adds: “It is an extremely exciting time; my training has been building to this. Broughshane is a wonderful village and we are very much looking forward to serving there. I was sad to leave Bangor but now I am itching to get started in this new Parish.”

Outside of his Parish duties, Andrew is currently undertaking some post-graduate study. He is also a keen Arsenal fan who enjoyed watching Euro 2016. Time permitting, the new rector also relaxes with his Xbox and in addition to spending time with Allison and their dog and cats.