God has sent incredible people out from here...

Ballysillan Elim was birthed in an old cinema, survived the Troubles and today is a small church with a big heart for the community. As it marks its centenary this month, pastor Tom McCann told Direction its story

“We are very glad to hear that Mr Gilpin, an elder at the Elim Tabernacle, Belfast, has been successful in obtaining a derelict cinema in the Ballysillan district for the proclamation of the Foursquare Gospel,” reported the Elim Evangel in 1925.

“Although it presented a very grim and uninviting appearance, yet under the willing and capable hands of some of the Elim Evangelistic Band, together with other workers, within one week a wonderful and rapid change was effected.

“…There is now in progress what gives every indication of being a very successful mission conducted by Miss Streight, assisted by other members of the Elim Evangelistic Band. Prayer is requested that many souls will be saved and God’s people blessed.”

This is the story of Ballysillan Elim’s first days, which its pastor Tom McCann is remembering as the church prepares to celebrate its centenary this month.

Ballysillan Elim has been rooted in its community ever since – located in the former cinema until 1934, when it moved to its current home three doors down.

Witnessing the Troubles

One key period for Ballysillan was the late 60s to the late 90s – the Troubles – which the church witnessed from its frontline position in north Belfast.

“Ballysillan was infamously known as being part of the ‘murder triangle’,” says Tom. “It was very rough back then. There’s an estate not too far away, Ardoyne, which was fiercely republican, whereas Ballysillan was fiercely loyalist.

“A lady from our church was injured in a drive-past shooting and Andrew Johnson, a lad from our youth, was murdered.”

A changing community

In the decades since then, the area has changed significantly and Ballysillan Elim has adapted to serve a very different community.

“Today we have people coming here from places like Europe and Africa. The whole area is changing, and while it still has issues it has massive potential too.”

Tom says his love for Ballysillan comes in part from the fact he grew up there and returned to the area in 2011 after a spell away.

“I grew up five streets from the church and when I was asked to help in Ballysillan I couldn’t wait because it was like going home.”

Ballysillan Elim kicked off its centenary celebrations in May with a weekend of festivities and a visit from its former pastor Geoff Feasey, who led it from 1976 to 1982.

“Geoff shared the Word on Saturday and Sunday and it was a wonderful weekend,” says Tom. “We also had people visit who’d been part of the church and moved away, so it was a great time to refresh those friendships too.”

This month, the church will mark its actual birthday with a week of mission from 7-12 September.

“The men will have a men’s fellowship night, the kids and our mums and tots will do something special at their groups on Tuesday and Wednesday, then the ladies will have a guest speaker on Thursday and the youth will do a community outreach on Friday.”

The church will celebrate a financial jubilee too. “When I came here 14 years ago we had £400,000 left to pay on a loan from when we renovated the building in 2009,” says Tom. “God was faithful, the church was faithful and we paid it off in February!”

The church today invests plenty of energy in connecting with local people.

“Last summer, for example, we had a fun day called Bugs & Beasties with loads of animals for the kids. We said we’d be happy if 50 or 60 kids came but hundreds turned up. The kids coming through our door are mostly unchurched. It’s the same with the youth, so we’re making inroads in the area.”

Small church, great alumni

Many people have gone on from Ballysillan to have a big impact further afield, says Tom.

“While we might not be one of Elim Ireland’s biggest churches, we’ve had some amazing people who’ve gone into ministry from here.”

This includes Wesley Gilpin – the son of Ballysillan Elim’s founder – who went on to become principal of the Elim Bible college.

“Samuel Gorman became Irish superintendent, Geoff Feasey went on to serve on Elim’s National Leadership Team, then Jack McKee was one of three pastors who led during the Troubles and launched a church down the Shankill Road.

“We’re a little church that some might overlook but God has sent some incredible people out from here.”

Tom was surprised when one visitor at Ballysillan’s centenary celebrations in May turned out to be the Reverend Jim Rea, who was president of the Methodist Church in Ireland and had attended Ballysillan Elim as a young boy.

“I mention these people,” Tom explains, “because to me it’s like when the Lord says, ‘I’m sending you into the fields to reap in places you didn’t sow.

“I really feel, 100 years on, that that’s me. God has sent me into this field in Ballysillan and I’m reaping what these

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.