Meet Pastor Andrew
I hope my life is an example of what a very ordinary person can expect if he simply follows Christ through His Word. Not that I’ve arrived, I have to simply say, God has been so good. (Psalm 16:6) My passion is to help people know Christ from His Word, and discover the joy and victory that comes from living life God’s way. – Andrew
Andrew has the privilege of serving as the founding pastor of the Grace Baptist Church. He his happily married to his lovely wife Shawn, and the proud dad to little Clare and baby Cìan.
Andrew’s personal testimony:
I grew up in a Christian family, but that doesn’t make anyone a Christian. I am grateful for my heritage, but growing up in a Pastor’s home, it was easy for me to think I was a good person, but the problem was that I wasn’t! (Rom. 3:10, 23) God mercifully showed me, I needed to be saved. My mom asked me one day as a young child, if I knew I was going to heaven, to which I responded, “I think I am, but I’m not sure.” My Mom then showed me from Scripture how I could know, and that I needed to be believe in Jesus as my Saviour, and call on Him to save me (John 3:16, Rom. 10:13, Acts 16:31, Eph. 2:8-9). I trusted Christ at an early age, and am so grateful that since that moment, God has adopted me into His family. (Rom. 8:15), protected, guided, reproved, strengthened, forgiven, and been the friend who sticks closer than a brother.
- Crown College of the Bible (BA – Pastoral Ministry – 2014)
- Crown Graduate School & Seminary (Master of Ministry – 2015)
- Bible Baptist Theoligical Seminary – (Master of Biblical Studies – currently enrolled)
Call To Ministry
As a teenager, I was confronted with the biblical command of full surrender – If Christ died for me, I ought to live for Him! (Rom. 12:1-2, 1 Cor. 6:19) It wasn’t an easy decision to let go of my dreams and desires, but looking back I am so, so grateful I did. As I surrendered to obey God however He should lead, I felt a continual leading that God wanted me to serve in ministry. God has never audibly spoken to me as he did to the prophet Samuel or to the apostle Paul, but I know without hesitation that God has called me to ministry. The call to ministry is not a mysterious voice, but it an inescapable burden. Paul wrote, For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! (1 Cor. 9:16) Charles Spurgeon said, “If you can do anything other than preach the Gospel, do that.” He said it well. Ministry is not an occupation, it is a life-long call, and those God calls for ministry, cannot have His peace, except as they follow His will to ministry service and work. (1 Tim. 3:1, Col. 3:15) It is not only a constraining call, but a thrilling work, in the opportunity to witness God change lives, restore families, and bring true hope.
Life Impacting Verses
Galatians 2:21
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
John 12:24-26
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Joshua 1:8-9
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Philippians 1:6
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Psalms 111:10
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Hobbies and Pastimes
Andrew greatly enjoys the hiking and mountain biking when he can. He dabbles in carpentry and photography, enjoys reading theology and biography, but most of all enjoys spending time with Clare & Cian, and his lovely wife Shawn.
Shawn’s personal testimony
I grew up in a loving home, but sadly it was a home without Christ. Beyond attending mass occasionally with my Nana, where I was taught about doing good works to gain heaven, there was no religious instruction.
My father was often busy with work, holding two or three jobs at a time, and just around the corner from his Sunday job was a Baptist Church. The women were unrelenting in their faithfulness to pass out Gospel literature, and my dad had a whole collection of leaflets in his bedroom. He felt it would be disrespectful to throw them away but he wasn’t interested in reading them either.
One day, in the midst of a health crisis, my mom picked up one of those leaflets and read it. The Bible verses about sin, punishment, and a loving God brought her to a place of repentance; she was the first of our family to become born-again! I began attending church with her that Sunday and I’ve been going ever since.
At fourteen years old I had a more full understanding of the Gospel and realized it had nothing to do with me or the “works” I did- it had everything to do with what Christ had already accomplished by His death on the cross. I made the personal decision to be saved and then the decision to surrender my life not long after that.
I attended university in America, and taught for many years at a Christian school. The Lord brought Andrew and me together through a heads up from his Grandfather who attended my church! I am so grateful for how the Lord has guided, blessed, provided, and now being mom to Clare and Cian is beyond words, thrilling.
MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
ANDREW
Pastoral Assistant | Hope Baptist Church, Dublin (2015-2023)
Baptist Church Planter | 2019 – Present
SHAWN
Primary school teacher (2010 – 2019)
Ministry Secretary (2019-2020)
Full-time Mom (2021-present)
Personal Recommends
As we are a church just beginning, we thought it might be helpful for some to hear recommendations from our wonderful Pastor friends around Ireland.