Minister
Revd Dr Annes Nel
Annes has been our minister since March 2009. He was born in Lambert’s Bay, South Africa. His wife is Olga, originally from St Petersburg, Russia. They lived in Namibia and South Africa before coming to Northern Ireland. Annes studied theology at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, and Olga is a trained electronic engineer. Annes and Olga both also completed an honours degree in Psychology.
Annes was ordained as a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church in 1985 and served as minister in the following congregations of the Dutch Reformed Church: Prieska (1986-1990); Academia, Windhoek (1991-2001). Before coming to Northern Ireland, Annes was professor in Systematic and Practical Theology and head of the Department of Theology and Religion Studies at the University of Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Earlier he also served as Director of the Ecumenical Institute at the University of Namibia.
Pastoral Assistant Minister
The Very Revd Dr John Dixon
John was born in Monaghan, and belonged to Ballyhobridge Presbyterian Church where his father was Clerk of Session. He studied in Magee, Londonderry, Trinity, Dublin, New College, Edinburgh and Assembly's (now UTC) Belfast. He was assistant in Carnmoney before being called to First Rathfriland in 1970. He went to First Antrim in 1980 and retired in 2008. He has been Chairman of the Irish Council of OMF International for 18 years, and Convenor of Board of Mission Overseas within PCI. John was Moderator of the General Assembly in 1998. He visited missionaries and partner churches in Asia, Africa, South America, The Carribean and Europe.
John and Claire have been married for 42 years and they have two daughters Julie and Cheryl, who are both married. They live across the Irish sea. They also have four grandchildren. Since retirement, John and Claire live in Lisburn.
Assistant Minister
Edward McKenzie
Edward is originally from East Belfast, but grew up in Ballygowan. He is married to Lesley and father to Alfie. Before training for Ministry, he studied Philosophy at Queens University and worked full time in a Mace shop.
He completed his Bachelors in Divinity from Queens and his Post Graduate Diploma in Ministry from Union Theological College in June 2011 and after being Licensed in the same month became our full time Assistant Minister. Edward, God willing will be eligible for call to his own congregation on 15th January 2014.
His hobbies including keeping up with current affairs, reading, film and collecting models and figurines.
He writes, “I gave my life to Christ as a young boy of seven in Sunday School, but didn't fully understand my commitment until my early teens when as a member of the Army Cadet Force I felt God calling me to the Ministry. I am amazed more and more each day by the truths of Scripture and the great adventure of a personal relationship with Jesus. I have a desire to make Jesus known and to see him glorified. I believe passionately that all Christian people are one family, brothers and sisters in Christ and that there is wonderful strength when we unite together to serve the Lord.”
Clerk of Session
Joseph Tate
Joe was born and bred in Killinchy and has had a life long connection with Killinchy Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the B.B. for many years before joining the Young Farmers Club. He has been a Sunday School teacher and has served on Committee and Session for many years. He comes from an agricultural background having studied at Strabane Agricultural School and later at Loughry Agricultural College. After leaving college, he was employed for many years in the animal feed industry as a sales representative. The 1970's saw him back home on the family farm, now a married man with three children. He has been connected to farming and agricultural contracting ever since, except for a period of eleven years when he became Sub Postmaster of Killinchy Post Office. During those years he was very capably assisted by his late wife, Elizabeth, who ran the associated General Stores. He is now the proud grandfather of five grandchildren, whom he sees very regularly as they all live locally.