Why Does Ireland Need Your Help?

Christianity in Ireland

In spite of its legacy as the bastion of ‘saints and scholars’ and its many contributions to the Kingdom of God, Ireland today is anything but committed to the gospel. It is sadly true that the source of so much spiritual blessing to the world now sits in spiritual ruins.

The situation of the indigenous church reflects this. With a few exceptions, old church buildings are empty. Evangelical churches are mostly small and on the fringes of society. The highly politicized past between Roman Catholics and Protestants has left its mark. Many would still agree that to be Irish is to be Roman Catholic. But it is more the residue of a culture than a deep conviction as many Irish are abandoning mainstream religion. Latest census figures reveal that the fastest growing ‘religion’ amongst the new generation of Irish is ‘no religion’ at all.

On the ground, less than 1% of the 4.58 million population of the Republic of Ireland regard themselves as Christians in the Biblical sense. This is the lowest percentage of any country in the English speaking world, effectively making Ireland the most unreached country in the English speaking world.

Ireland is changing more rapidly today than at any other time of its history. Around 10% of the population are now ‘new Irish’, immigrants from overseas. This rises to 13% in the capital city. The result is much enrichment in culture, labour and ideas – and challenges to evangelism. To reach Ireland in the 21st Century is to reach the world.

Mission visits to Ireland from the USA provide a unique power to unite people. It's a force for amazing change and a driving force behind community development and integration. It brings excitement, joy and passion into lives which are full of challenge and heartache. Visiting Ireland as part of a team is not only good for the physical heart, it's great for the heart of compassion too, and through the response heard by your church or group, your team will provide much needed assistance to complement ongoing efforts here in Ireland. Together, we will be able to show the compassion and love of Jesus Christ to communities in need in a very practical and positive way.

Why You?

Volunteering as part of a mission team can be exciting, adventurous and thrilling, but quite often it is very humbling. You will experience first hand the overwhelming generosity of communities who may have very little, the abundant love of those who have known so much pain, and the infectious laughter of those whose lives have been touched with sadness. Through it all you will learn how amazing this world really is, and how just one person can make all the difference.

A famous story is told of a young man who stood by the sea as the tide went out, throwing stranded starfish back into the water. An old man walked by and asked him why he would bother to do such a thing when there were so many hundreds of starfish stranded along the beach. How, the old man asked, could he possibly make any difference. At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "I made a difference to that one!"

Q: What do you want to achieve?

The arriving team talents often vary, and we appreciate that. You may offer unique talents and skills not found locally or available here in Ireland. For example; your team may consist of - a worship team, sport coach, teachers, preachers, building contractors, therapist, and the list could go on.....That's wonderful! we can use you! This is a mission field; and you might be surprised to learn of the limited resources currently available to certain member organisations. Therefore, certain projects in Ireland will relish and greatly appreciate any specific assistance you might offer.

Q: Team size, how many people can we bring on the mission?

Dependencies such as volunteer ability, team size, and any personal goals are all taken into consideration long before your arrival. Below is our recommended formula for each group. It's a tested and proven trip recipe based on 3 'Agapé Mission Core Principles'; Spirit, Service & Adventure.

Q: Can we share our ideas and plans with you?

If you have a specific idea for your trip, then why not discuss a possible inclusion? The list of what you can do during your mission is endless. Each mission trip is slightly different, and each team will have specific requirements and expectations. Your mission ideas are encouraged. The below programme formula for your mission is designed with no assumptions in mind, and therefore doesn't rely on any unique gift or personal talent within the arriving team.

Q: What will I be doing?

Q: Whats included?

Planning, Training, Hosting, Flights, Transport, Project Management, Sight Seeing & Tours , Tour Guides, Accomodation, Mission Activities, Food & Meals, Entertainment, Equipment & Tools, Irish Craic!

Q: What happens next?

1. VISIT OUR CONTACT PAGE.

Stage: A member of our team will acknowledge your contact/ or call-back request for further information.
Can I skip this stage (Yes/ No): Yes, if you prefer we can skip this stage and go straight to stage 2.
How to: Please see the 'Contact us' section.
Purpose: Initial exploratory discussion over the phone.
What Obligation or Commitment is required at this stage: None. No mission trip obligation necessary at this stage.
Timing: Our recommendation for the timing of this stage is between - 9 & 6 months before departure.
Trip Payment required at this stage: None.

2. SCHEDULE INITIAL ENGAGEMENT MEETING. Book Agapé Missions initial engagement meeting via email confirming your desire to conduct exploratory discussions. Obligation or commitment: None. No mission trip obligation necessary at this stage.
Our recommendation for the timing of this stage is between - 9 & 6 months before departure.

3. INITIAL ENGAGEMENT. Establish the formal introductions, motivations, synergies, communication plan, preliminary mission planning and budget considerations.
Our recommendation for the timing of this stage is between - 9 & 6 months before departure.

4. PLANNING - STAGE 1. Options discussed, local challenges & considerations, activities schedule drafted, method of mission team recruitment established, program scope, requirements, benefits, police background checks started, and any additional agreements needed to proceed completed. Formal mission trip confirmation received.
Our recommendation for the timing of this stage is - 6 months before departure.

5. PLANNING - STAGE 2. Activities schedule updated, mission team numbers confirmed, trip deposit paid.
Our recommendation for the timing of this stage is - 4 months before departure.

6. PLANNING - STAGE 3. * (Optional).
Mission team director Ireland visit. Tour proposed projects, test the mission activity plans and sight seeing schedule, and complete any remaining introductions.
Our recommendation for the timing of this stage is - 3 months before departure.

7. PLANNING - STAGE 4.
Mission team pre-departure training. Full trip balance received.
Our recommendation for the timing of this stage is - 2 months before departure.