2025 BCM United Kingdom & Ireland Conference

BCM International Update by Erika A. Bruckner

group of BCM missionaries standing in front of historic building in Northern Ireland

BCM’s UK & Ireland Conference kicked off 2025 with an incredible time of connection, equipping, and growth.

Mullartown House, the BCM Northern Ireland camp center, hosted the conference. Attendees from Scotland, Ireland, England and Northern Ireland joined with members of BCM’s Connect and Care Department to enjoy fellowship, time in God’s Word and ministry equipping.

Braving the Storm

Storm Eowyn, one of the worst-recorded storms in the island’s history, brought record-breaking winds, severe damage and widespread power outages. The storm left the team without power for most of the conference. A local church graciously lent space for some meals and meetings. Nearby family and friends set up a backup generator at Mullartown to give some power and heat.

“It was very special to see how the staff and volunteers at the centre went the extra mile to make it all work so well in spite of the difficulties due to the storm and lack of electricity,” described Richard Thompson, BCM European Director. “It was also great to see how so many had to make different travel arrangements to be sure to get there before the storm hit. I consider it an honour to work and serve with such people. To God be the glory.”

Connect and care coordinator Evelina Hanchett agreed: “Despite the challenges, our leaders pressed on with resilience and joy. Seeing leaders from Ireland, Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland gather to grow in their ministry impact was truly inspiring!”

Sharing One Mission

Evelina and Ruth Ritchie both attended from the International Ministry Center’s Connect and Care Department of BCM. They spent time with UK & Ireland teams through sessions, activities, and meaningful conversation. These intentional times helped them get to know the needs and experience mutual encouragement with those serving in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

“Meeting with other BCM Missionaries was like meeting up with the extended family,” described Gemma Hill, camp director for Mullartown House. “We just have an underlying understanding of each other and interest in the mission that God has placed us all together in.” She continued, “It was a pleasure to get together with other BCM missionaries who share the same heart to reach kids and young people with the gospel as we do here in BCM Northern Ireland.”

Mullartown House Hospitality

The staff and volunteers at Mullartown House hosted the event with unwavering hospitality, even with the power outage. The house is set on a beautiful four acres of land at the foot of the Mourne Mountains in a small fishing village looking out across the Irish Sea. Mullartown features accommodation, meeting rooms, lounge, sports field, well-equipped kitchen and spaces for games, dining, study, crafts and other multi-purpose areas.

Equipping Disciple-Makers

At the conference, Garrett Lowe, vice president of personnel, introduced attendees to TOP Calling, a discipleship tool Garrett created to help leaders guide young people in discerning God’s calling. “A significant area of making disciples of children is helping them discern God’s calling and purpose for their lives,” Garrett explained. “This model uses principles from Scripture to bring clarity to an often mysterious topic.”

“What I loved most was how he [Garrett] took us through how to help young people step into their calling,” recalled Gemma. “As we were moving through the sessions, different parts brought different young people I work with to mind; it really enthused and excited me to point them to Christ and help them to live out the calling on their lives.”

Unity Beyond Borders

The team also discussed core values, leadership development, and ministry expansion. Judith Rogers, CEO of BCM in Northern Ireland, commented, “It is encouraging to be reminded that we are part of the wider mission of BCM International, and, more importantly, that we are part of what God is doing to build His kingdom worldwide, through many different organisations, churches, and believers. What an honour that He is weaving our little bit of our service, in our corner of the world, into His big story of redemption.”

Gemma describes the value of meeting together in person and the unity of BCM teams that transcends borders.

“A big highlight for me was to see how we are moving forward as a mission. Every missionary and board member that was at the BCM UK & Ireland conference is talented. They have many opportunities to reach kids, and they are so passionate about doing this, and that is something that unites us together.

“Each part of BCM in UK and Ireland have differences and face different challenges…But we are all trusting in the Lord daily, and we all want to see kids and young people reached in a nation that sees Christianity in the minority now and church attendance, even among Christians, on the decrease.

“The conference practically resembled how many of us feel within our ministries here in the UK and Ireland. We are people who love, serve and obey God, who are passionate about reaching kids and young people with the good news of Jesus Christ – and we set out daily to do that. At times, it feels like everything is against us. At the conference, it was the biggest storm we’ve seen in years – affecting boats and flights, electric and heating being out – but we continued to persevere through it and keep the main thing the main thing. And in our ministries, even though the world around us tries to put us out, we continue to persevere because God is good, and we want others to come to know His goodness too.”

Castledaly Manor

Before heading back to North America, the IMC team also visited Castledaly Manor, BCM’s thriving camp and retreat center in the Republic of Ireland. It is a stunning estate that served over 3,700 people last year. A serene setting for church conferences, youth group events and group retreats, the Christian conference center is a Georgian Manor house and 13.5-acre grounds easily accessible via the central East/West motorway.

Partner with us in prayer!

Please pray for all of our BCM teams in the UK and Ireland as a whole, and please pray for these specific needs in that region:

SCOTLAND: That God will bring more team members or one-year volunteers to reach more children through an increased number of Bible clubs.

NORTHERN IRELAND: That God will give wisdom in developing the work and provide more term-time volunteers to help follow up on summer ministry.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: That God will provide an Ireland director, camp administrator, and skilled maintenance teams to make Castledaly Manor improvements.