L to R: (front) Keith Parker, Tom McKinstry, Lisburn Mayor Councillor Ronnie Crawford, Bob Evans (USA) and David Frazer. (back row) Joan McKinstry, Judith Reid, Dorothy Armstrong, Elizabeth Spence, Avril McGrath and Maureen Jamieson.	Young people from local churches who attended BCM Bible clubs and camps over recent years.

The 60th anniversary of Bible Centred Ministries, International, previously known as the Bible Club Movement was celebrated last Saturday (8th November) in Lisburn Baptist Church. Keith Parker, chairman of the BCM Committee led the service; the guest speaker was Bob Evans (USA); and the special guest was the Mayor, Councillor Ronnie Crawford who as a young teenager attended the first BCM camp at Carnlough in August 1966.

During the evening retired missionaries Tom and Joan McKinstry spoke with great affection of their 60 years involvement with BCM including the first after school meetings in a hut at the back of the YWCA's Pimm House in Wallace Avenue; the move later to the Boys' Hall in Wardsborough Road; the first Bible Club Rally in Lisburn Orange Hall in 1951; and the spread of BCM fellowships throughout the area. Also taking part were: Harry Dowds, Stephen Spence, Gus McComisky, David Frazer, Jean Hull, Dorothy Armstrong, Julie Koorts, Sharon Parker, Judith Reid, Avril McGrath, Maureen Jamieson, Rachel Hewitt, Nikki Lunn, Nathan Anderson, Neil Snooddy, Robert Millar and Caroline Gilmore.

60th anniversary cake.	Tom McKinstry and his wife Joan cutting the 60th anniversary cake.	Puppeteer Louise Watterson pictured with Peter and Thomas Dundas at the 60th anniversary of BCM last Saturday evening (8th November).

After the service ladies of the BCM committee served a delightful supper allowing visitors and friends to recall 60 years of fun and fellowship at BCM Bible classes and camps.

Tom McKinstry left his teaching job in 1967 and with his wife Joan they started Bible Clubs in many areas of Lisburn and in towns around the country from Omagh to Comber and Ballymena. The clubs came together for annual sports days in Lisburn's Castle Gardens and Wallace Park; and at Rallies where awards for Bible memorisation and inter club quizzes are distributed.

Bible Club camps have been very popular, since the first one in 1966. Many people in Lisburn will have been at one of those camps themselves, or will know someone else who has been there. BCM bought Mullartown House in Annalong in 1978. Each summer more than 400 young people, looked after by over 100 staff spend time at camp there. The site is closed at present for building work but it is due to be operational again on 5th July 2009.

BCM is a worldwide organisation, working on over 50 countries. Bob Evans brought greetings from the Headquarters in Philadelphia, USA. He challenged the audience in telling them of the practical demonstration of the love of God, in countries where BCM is working like relief work in Sri Lanka, and in setting up refugee camps for Christians forced to leave their homes in Orissa, India. A generous offering was collected during the evening for that project.

It is intended to produce a booklet summarising the memories. Anyone who would like to contribute memories of Bible Club is asked to contact Tom and Joan at through the BCM Centre in Seymour Street phone 028 9260 3864.

Dorothy Armstrong present gifts to Tom and Joan McKinstry in recognition of their exemplary service to BCM.	The Mayor, Councillor Ronnie Crawford recalls happy memories of attending BCM camps at the 60th anniversary of BCM
Maisie Reid and Dorothy Armstrong (right) point out a picture of a young Ronnie Crawford (now the Lisburn Mayor) at the first BCM camp at Carnlough in August 1966.	Pictured at the first BCM camp at Carnlough in August 1966 are Dorothy Armstrong (centre in red) and Ronnie Crawford (3rd from left in back row).

Pictured at the first BCM camp at Carnlough in August 1966 are Tom McKinstry (second from left) and Ronnie Crawford (6th from left).	Keith Parker pictured with some of the children who took part in the service.

10/11/2008