A recent survey carried by Aontas (an association of Irish evangelical churches) has found that there are 115 towns with a population of over 5,000 people where there is no evangelical witness at all.
At present Ireland has the lowest percentage of evangelicals in the English-speaking world. Because of this very low percentage, it is difficult for the church in Ireland to produce sufficient leaders to meet current needs. Therefore, there remains a constant need for missionaries.
Paudge Mulvihill, secretary of Aontas and pastor in Calvary Church Westport said: ‘Up until recently most missionaries coming into Ireland came from America with a smaller number coming from Australia. But over the last number of years, it has proven increasingly difficult for non-EU nationals to obtain a missionary visa due to new visa restrictions.’
When asked about how he saw the way ahead, he answered: ‘Any Christian worker who holds an EU passport can come, due to the EU’s policy of the free movement of people. This also still applies to UK nationals under the common travel area between Britain and Ireland. So we’re asking Christians who can come to consider coming to Ireland to be part of the work of the gospel here. Come and serve, come and be part of the church here.’
