In December 1988 a number of people began to consider the possibility of commencing a fundamentalist Saturday night meeting for fellowship and the study of the Word of God.

One by one God began to confirm to these men that this was His plan for their lives at that time.

Gordon Martin had bought a house beside Ballygowan Mission hall shortly before this and had prayed “Lord, bring a work to that hall that I can be involved in”. Martin Thompson found the leading of God in Zephaniah 3 V17. Another was spoken to by hearing messages preached from 2 Peter. So each in turn was led by the Lord to commence this new meeting.

On Saturday 14 January 1989 thirty-five people congregated in Ballygowan Mission Hall to hear Sidney Murray exposit the scriptures. His subject was “How To Study The Word – 7 Vital Steps For Growth”.

As the work progressed a committee was formed and prayerful thought was given to naming the Saturday night meeting. The name “ The W.O.R.D. Bible Class” was chosen because the object is to meet around the Word of God and the term is a biblical one.

The name is spelt that way because each letter represents the following:

W = Witness of Christ which we proclaim
O = Outreach into all places which we undertake
R = Redemption by the blood which we preach
D = Disciples which we seek to be.

At this point a constitution and schedule of faith were drawn up and parts of these can be seen on other sections of this website.

By late 1991 early 1992 the meeting had grown to such an extent that the hall built in 1947 could no longer comfortably accommodate those in attendance. Therefore the committee undertook to build a new and larger hall. Land for building was generously donated by James Moorhead. The work of erecting the building progressed throughout the summer of 1992.

The generosity of the saints of God meant that this building was paid for within three years.

The new hall was opened with a gospel mission in September 1992 with Sidney Murray as the evangelist. The Lord was pleased to save souls as the gospel of redeeming love was faithfully proclaimed.

As time has progressed the saints have continued to be built up in their most holy faith, souls have been saved, backsliders restored and most importantly Christ glorified.

In October 2002 The W.O.R.D Bible Class assumed responsibility for Gospel meeting held in Ballygowan Mission Hall. This meeting is now held on the last Sunday of the month at 8.30pm.

Down the years we have been pleased to see those who have attended the fellowship move into full time work with some going into the ministry and others into missionary work. Others have taken up the role of Sunday School teachers in their own churches. For all these branches growing over the wall we give glory to God.

We thank the faithful men of God who weekly minister the Word. Included among many faithful men who minister from God’s Word on a regular basis are:

Dr. Ian Paisley
Pastor Harvey Shaw
Pastor Tom Orr
Pastor Victor Maxwell
Pastor David Legg
Rev Stanley Barnes
Rev Fred Greenfield
George Bates
Bertie Johnston

To view details of the current bible study programme click here.

Down the years we have been pleased to support the following missionaries both prayerfully and practically:

Henry Coulter (Bangladesh)
Henry Middleton (Street children of Mexico City)
B.E.E. International
United Grace Mission (India)
Dorothea Mission (Southern Africa)
Walter Burrell (Seamen’s Christian Friend Society – Cork)
Lucimar (Brazil)
New Tribes Mission
Norman Fox (Romania).

As for the future, it is our desire, burden and vision to earnestly contend for the faith in these days of apostasy, compromise, liberalism and ecumenism. The text before the preacher on the pulpit reminds him that the congregation’s desire is “Sir, we would see Jesus” (John 12 V 21), while the text above the speaker declares, “ We preach Christ crucified” (I Cor. 1 V 23).

May it ever be so