A Reflection on Three Months in Stranraer

Bob and Rita Lyon have recently returned home to Kansas after being with us for three months (February to April). Below are some of Bob’s reflections on their time here. We hope it will be useful for others considering doing something similar, and also provide a window into congregational life.

When we arrived in Stranraer, Scotland, we came with no specific expectations—only a desire to settle in, become part of the congregation, and help wherever we could. Our intention was simple: to quietly support the church by bolstering its numbers, contributing where needed, offering encouragement, and not to be a burden.

From the very beginning, we were warmly welcomed, accepted, and loved by the congregation. It was a joy to find how easily relationships formed with so many individuals. The church felt like home far quicker than we imagined. In joining the daily rhythms of this faithful body, we quickly saw the depth of commitment and effort poured in by the two elder families, the Steeles and the Frasers. Their leadership carries the full weight of responsibility for the congregation, and their dedication is tireless, though it often stretches them thin. If in any small way we were able to ease that burden—through helping with child care, offering friendship, or simply being present—we are deeply thankful for the opportunity.

The church is made up of a mix of individuals, many of whom are single and elderly. It was clear that visits, invitations, and personal attention meant a great deal to them. Small gestures of care seemed to go a long way, and we were blessed in return with rich conversations and shared moments of faith.

Throughout our time there, we were entrusted with a variety of responsibilities. We led adult Bible studies and children’s Sabbath School classes, participated in Bible distributions, visited schools, and assisted with infrastructure projects. We helped with congregational meals, and intentionally built relationships within the community—whether with local shopkeepers or individuals who had once been connected to the church. In these simple tasks, we saw the Lord open doors to extend the visibility and reach of the church within Stranraer.

We also had the privilege of coordinating two others who joined us for a 10-day short-term trip. With their help, we completed a number of physical projects on the church building and parsonage—an encouraging example of how even short visits can leave a lasting impact when guided by a shared vision.

Though we came to serve, we were the ones who were blessed—again and again. We had no particular gifts or expertise to offer, only a willingness to be present and available. And yet, God multiplied those small efforts. The experience deepened our walk with the Lord and taught us much about the beauty of quiet faithfulness, perseverance, and love lived out in community.

Spending three months in Stranraer felt like a good amount of time to truly integrate into the life of the church and to develop meaningful relationships. It was a joy and a privilege to work alongside the Steeles and Frasers, to share in their labor, and to witness the fruit of their long-term commitment.

We are deeply grateful for the time we were able to spend with the church in Stranraer. It was a wonderful season—one marked by service, growth, and genuine fellowship. We leave thankful, encouraged, and hopeful for the ongoing ministry in that part of Scotland.

John G. Paton in Stranraer

Well-known YouTuber (and adjunct professor at the RP Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh) Matthew Everhard recently posted a short biography of John G. Paton. Born just outside Dumfries, Paton was an RP missionary to the New Hebrides. His autobiography is one of the most inspiring missionary biographies ever written. Paton began his mission work as a city missionary in Glasgow, working alongside Rev. William Symington, who had moved to Glasgow from Stranraer.

In 1863, Paton came to our church in Stranraer to give and update on his work. The following report appeared in the Ayrshire Express on 7 November 1863:

“MISSIONARY MEETING.—On Wednesday last, the Rev John G. Paton, missionary from Tanna, one of the New Hebrides or South Sea Islands, in connection with the Reformed Presbyterian Church, addressed two meetings here, in the Rev. Thomas Easton's (R. P. Church), the one at half-past five and the other at half-past seven o'clock, on both occasions giving most interesting details of the mission work on these Islands. The afternoon meeting was principally composed of sabbath-school children, the lower part of church being completely filled by them. By interesting anecdotes of the difficulties and dangers of the missionary work, and the blessings which the introduction of christianity had conferred on many of the little heathen children attending his classes, Mr Paton succeeded in gaining the attention of the children, and at the close he earnestly appealed to them for assistance in raising funds to maintain the missionary ship. and also in filling a missionary box with clothing for the poor naked boys and girls of Tana. In the evening, notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather, the church was crowded in every part with a most attentive audience. Mr Paton spoke for about two hours, giving a detailed account of the mission to these islands from the day on which John Williams touched at Erromanga to the latest news just received of the landing of the Rev. John Inglis at Aneityum, with the New Testament translated into the native language. The New Hebrides is a group of thirty beautiful islands, having a population in all of about 150,000, and except some 3500 on Aneityum who have become christians, they are all savage cannibals—the consistent christian conduct, home comforts, and advanced state of civilization in Aneityum contrasting most strongly with the ignorance, misery, degradation and barbarism prevalent in Tanna, the scene of his own labours.”

Incidentally, Rev. John Inglis, mentioned in the above report, was born in Moniaive (the house still stands) and retired to Lincuan Cottage, Kirkcowan.

Organisation of a congregation in The Gambia

For the last few months, Stephen has served as Interim Moderator of a new work in Brikama, The Gambia. That role will come to an end with ordination of Sylvester Konteh tomorrow. Sylvester’s ordination and the organisation of the congregation will, God-willing, be available to watch via livestream. The details are as follows:

Our interim elder, Rev. Peter Loughridge (North Edinburgh), along with Rev. Stephen McCollum (Airdrie) are in The Gambia to take part in the ordination

“On Saturday 13th May 2023 at 6pm UK time (5pm Gambia time/Greenwich Mean Time), the ordination of Sylvester Konteh and organisation of Brikama RPCS will take place. The service will be live-streamed via a Zoom webinar. To watch, click on the link below. You do not have to have Zoom to watch, but you will be asked to leave your name and email address.Here is the link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89212436197

Please be aware that this attempted live broadcast via Zoom may not be successful due to internet issues and/or sound issues at the venue. We apologise in advance if that is the case! A cameraman will be present at the event to produce an official video which will be uploaded to YouTube at a later date. We will send that YouTube link out when it is ready.”

Gambia Update

Last month, after our monthly church lunch, Rev. Stephen McCollum (Airdrie) gave an update on our church’s mission work in the Gambia. At the last meeting of the RPCS Presbytery, having passed his final exams, Mr Sylvester Konteh was licensed to preach the gospel. He was then presented with, and subsequently accepted, a call to serve as organising minister of a Reformed Presbyterian congregation in Brikama, under the oversight of the RPCS Presbytery. You can read more about this on the RPCS website.

A video interview with Sylvester had been recorded to be shown at these update meetings, and you can watch it below:

Our own minister, Stephen, was one of those appointed by Presbytery to serve as an interim elder of the Brikama congregation, until the congregation is organised and they are able to ordain local elders. Stephen is currently serving as Interim Moderator as the session interview prospective church members over Zoom.

The plan is for Sylvester to be ordained and the congregation organised in May, with Revs. Stephen McCollum and Peter Loughridge travelling to The Gambia for the occasion.

Long term our prayer is to see the organisation of a new denomination - The Reformed Presbyterian Church of The Gambia.

Andy Lytle interview on Mission in France

Andrew & Heather Lytle, pictured with Sammy & Carol Foucachon (Eglise Réformée Evangélique de Paris)

We’ve been praying for the RP Church’s mission work in Nantes, France, recently - particularly in light of proposed new legislation targeting Islam, but which would also have severe repercussions for Bible-believing Christians. In fact, the French minister of the Interior recently said about evangelicals: ‘We cannot discuss with people who refuse to write on paper that the law of the Republic is superior to the law of God’.

A few months ago, Rev. Andy Lytle spoke about missionary life in France on the Generation Podcast. It’s well worth listening to, particularly as he describes what a Reformed approach to mission looks like:

Other helpful episodes of the podcast include interviews with Paul & Steve Levy and Rico Tice.