Rev Kenny Hanna is Rural Chaplain, part of the Rural Chaplaincy team covering four presbyteries: Armagh, Down, Iveagh and Newry. Kenny grew up on a farm in the Mournes and continues to farm part-time.
He writes:
We are here to help families of all backgrounds. The essence of this work is summed up in our mission statement: "Caring for farmers, their families and the rural community. Bringing the hope of Jesus the Good Shepherd."
Rural Chaplaincy is a Jesus-centred initiative, and a small team of pastoral evangelists form the backbone of the weekly work, with others supplementing the team for particular events as required. We sensitively seek to come alongside individuals and families in their need, referring them to other organisations as appropriate and pointing them to the hope only Jesus can bring.
Our work is very much a partnership: between the Council for Mission in Ireland (CMI), local churches and presbyteries, livestock markets, farm support agencies and agri-businesses. The marts (Crossmaglen, Downpatrick, Hilltown, Markethill and Rathfriland) provide a helpful base for us, being social and economic hubs for farmers; they also determine the four presbytery areas.
This work seeks to help local PCI churches to connect with their communities and share Jesus' good news. This involves speaking at a wide variety of church-based outreach, training Christians and helping local churches establish PCI stands at five regional agricultural shows, initiating a wide variety of events at livestock markets, taking the monthly evangelistic Bible study at a hotel in Hilltown and helping to produce a rural-themed gospel tract. The team also regularly visits PCI congregations, thanking people for their prayerful and financial support (through the United Appeal), informing about the work, and encouraging prayer for it.
Kenny describes some of the highlights of his time as Rural Chaplain:
"I love this work and am extremely excited about its potential, under God. We have lots of opportunities to encourage Christian farmers and farming families to live for Jesus in their rural situations and we delight to share Jesus' good news with people of all backgrounds, some of whom may seldom hear about Jesus. More widely, there has been interest from other presbyteries in rural chaplaincy and its possibilities. God has been graciously answering His people’s prayers, by opening many doors for us. So, thank you for praying for us.”