Staff

Convenor of the Vacancy – Rev Robin Brown

Robin is minister of First Portadown Presbyterian Church. He was born in Bangor and raised in First Bangor Presbyterian Church. He committed his life to follow Jesus while at BB camp in Scotland. After studying civil engineering at Queen’s University, he worked for three years in Belfast before answering God’s call to ministry within the Presbyterian church in Ireland, serving his Assistantship in Rathcoole.

In 1990 Robin’s first charge was in Ardstraw and Douglas congregations before being called to 2nd Randalstown in 1999. He was installed as the minister in First Portadown in April 2017.

Children’s and Family Worker – Suzie Parkes

I am Suzie Parkes and I am the  Children’s and Family worker. I served as a youth and children’s intern but I am now working part time at the church, helping to serve families and children in Waringstown. I studied Early Childhood at Stranmillis University College for 3 years, during which I gained lots of experience on how best to engage kids in learning and how their brains and minds work! I hope to use all the skills and knowledge gained to influence the children’s ministry in WPC.

Within my role, I will be involved in Pathfinders and Discovers (WPC’s Sunday School programmes, held during the Sunday services), Messy Church, Little Lambs, Friday Fun Club and GirlsGroup. I also hope to work closely with the primary school to reach out into the community and ensure every child hears about the love of Jesus. My title is Children’s and Family Worker because I believe family is so important to the child. For most children it is their family who they spend most of their time with, therefore parents have a major influence on the development of the child especially their spiritual growth. As a church we want to help parents by equipping them and training them so they can achieve this and grow in faith as a family.

I love working with children, I love getting to know them and sharing Jesus with them. Each one of them is so precious and so important and I want to make sure they know that! So often in our society our children are overlooked, we refer to them as the next or future generation but actually they are present now, so we need to treat them like that. They are capable of understanding Jesus now and living their life wholeheartedly for Him now…that’s so exciting!!

Facilities Manager – Brian Taylor

My name is Brian Taylor and I am married to Lorraine and father to three beautiful daughters Alison (married to Andy and living in Edinburgh), Suzie (who works for the church as well) and Rachel. 

My role in the church is to look after the buildings, the grounds and the day to day practical side of all that happens in WPC. I am also an elder in the congregation and have a heart to serve the Lord Jesus in this place. 

I only took up the post in February 2020 and within 7 weeks, just when I was getting into the swing of things, we went into lockdown due to CoronaVirus. During the past number of months I have continued to look after the property as well as seeing to any pastoral duties that the epidemic created for us.

My role also includes liaising with the building contractor once our new project begins. Frustratingly that has also been delayed during recent months due to Covid but small glimmers of light are on the horizon and God’s timing for everything is always perfect. 

I love my God and serving him in this way is a humbling privilege for me. I am always available for a chat, if not on site, at the end of the phone and you can contact me at any time day or night if you think I can help you. 

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.” 

Colossians 3:23