15.09.2025
‘Through this ministry faith will flourish’ – New Pioneer Minister Commissioned in Crinken
The people of Crinken set out on a journey to build a new community of worshippers in the living God on Saturday evening (September 13). Aaron Halliwell was commissioned as a Pioneer Minister by Archbishop Michael Jackson. His role will see him reach out to the rapidly growing community around Crinken Church and open up fresh pathways to exploring faith.
Aaron is the 10th commissioned Pioneer Minister in the Church of Ireland. He comes to Dublin from Carlisle via Scotland and Belfast and he is supported in ministry by his fiancée Lauren and both their families, who joined him in Crinken and online to wish him well.
Introducing Saturday evening’s service, Crinken trustee Basil Good said they were thrilled that Aaron is going to be part of the Pioneer Ministry movement in their area.
The Revd Rob Jones, director of Pioneer Ministry nationally, gave the background to the Church of Ireland’s programme which sets out to reach those with little or no connection to church. He noted that the church was in decline but said that in this season the Spirit comes. As part of the Church’s vision to reach out to people, it is raising up new ministers. “God is doing a new thing to enable the Church of Ireland to reach out again and we are just a small part of this,” he stated.
Archbishop Jackson pointed to Crinken’s east window and said the exuberance of light and colour was an inspiration. He also highlighted Crinken’s connection to the Camino de Compostella as St James’s Church Crinken is on the route to the pilgrim Church of St James in Dublin. In wishing every blessing to the new ministry, the Archbishop said he has every conviction that Aaron is the right person to lead it and that the community of Crinken will work hard to support it. He added that the strength and power of Pioneer Ministry is that it is overwhelmingly a lay ministry and is motivated by people’s desire to serve. “Take the word and take its energy and bring it to those who need to hear it,” he concluded.
The sermon was preached by Crinken’s minister, Canon Tom O’Brien, who drew inspiration from Psalm 121 which he described as the pilgrim’s song. The Psalmist’s question – I lift my eyes onto the hills, where does my help come from? – was their question. “Where does our help come from as we launch this new pioneer congregation? We are setting out on a journey, seeking to build a community of worshippers in the living God,” he said.
“We know that that road is not going to be easy. We live in a culture where people believe faith is not relevant. They are sceptical and even wounded by religion. For many unchurched individuals Jesus is just a historical character who holds no meaning. So the road is indeed daunting but like the Israelites heading to Jerusalem we are not to be phased because God goes ahead of us. And when we ask where does my help come from, the Psalmist answers with clarity: ‘My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth’,” he added.
Canon O’Brien said that God stays with his people and is not distant. When Aaron was considering coming to Crinken he asked if this ministry was what God wanted of him. This is a common question for people entering ordained ministry and Tom said this was good news for him to hear. “When we are called into difficult terrain we will have wobbles. Wobbles are part of faith. When Aaron wobbled that is when God confirmed his call to you. This is the road walk it. The road will be steep but it is not hopeless because God is with us,” he stated.
He said Aaron was called to walk the road with sensitivity, compassion and love. He was called to listen deeply, to serve quietly, to embody the grace of Christ in such a way that people taste the living water that he offers. “Through this ministry rivers of living waters will flow in Crinken and beyond and faith will flourish in the emptiness of modern Ireland,” he said.
