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The Rev
Ron Johnstone was installed as
minister of Grace Free Presbyterian Church on Thursday 29th May.
He became minister in Armagh in 1996, where he remained until
his call to Newtownards. There was a large attendance by fellow
ministers and elders at the service
which was conducted by the interim moderator Rev Alan Smylie. Rev
Graham Middleton, the last installed minister brought a challenging
word. Rev Stanley Barnes, former
Deputy Moderator delivered the charge to the minister and
congregation. Many testified to a sense of the presence
of the Lord in the service.
Rev Johnstone
testified
to the faithfulness and grace of God and referred
to the great influence Dr Paisley had been upon his life. he
thanked God for the privilege of having Christian parents and for
the day he came into the Free Presbyterian Church in the mid
1960's. He finished his remarks by referring to the motto of Ards
Borough Council, 'Faithful and Strong' and asked for prayer that
the motto would be true of us all in our stand and labour for the
gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Rev Johnstone's sons David and Ian and
their wives and children were present. his daughter Ronda and
family living in Wales and his son Jonathan in South Korea were
unable to attend. Mr Roy McMillan, Clerk of Session
welcomed Rev Ron and Mrs Raema Johnstone to the congregation.
Other minister taking part included
the Deputy Moderator Dr Lindsay Wilson, Clerk of Presbytery Rev
Ian Brown, Revs Samuel Murray, Thomas Murray and Fred Greenfield.
A lovely supper was served by the ladies of the congregation.
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