Solid Ground Dinner

As a thank you to our wives Solid Ground went for a meal at 'Millside', Cloughmills. To say we faired sumptiously would be an under statement. Annaleen, Gillian, Linda & Mandy were presented with a token of appreciation in the form of a piece of 'Willow Tree' entitled - Thank You!

In The Presence Of My Enemies...

Thursday 22nd November 2007 - singing 'Who Knows Tomorrow', 'Through' & 'That's Just Like Jesus', Solid Ground had the wonderful privilege of taking part at a packed Ballee Baptist Church where Gracia Burnham (USA) was the guest speaker under the auspicious of 'Friends In Action'.

Gracia Burnham is the widow of Martin Burnham and the mother of Jeff, Mindy and Zach. For 17 years she and Martin served with New Tribes Mission in the Philippines where Martin was a jungle pilot delivering mail, supplies and to encourage other missionaries and transporting sick and injured patients to medical facilities. Gracia served in various roles supporting the aviation program and also home-schooled their children--all of which were born in the Philippines. While celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary at Dos Palmas Resort off Palawan Island, the Burnhams were kidnapped on May 27, 2001, by the Abu Sayyaf Group, a militant group of Muslims. They seized several more guests and took them to Basilan Island, an ASG stronghold.In the ensuing months some of the hostages were killed, but most were set free. From November 2001, only the Burnhams and one other hostage remained in captivity.During their 376 days of captivity, they faced near starvation, constant exhaustion, frequent gun battles, cold hearted murder-and intense soul-searching about a God who sometimes seemed to have forgotten them.On June 7, 2002, in a firefight between the Philippine military and the Abu Sayyaf Group, Martin was killed. Gracia was wounded, but was freed.Since that time Gracia has authored two books, In The Presence Of My Enemies, and To Fly Again. Her oldest son, Jeff, is now married and living in Lynchburg, VA where he is studying missionary aviation at Liberty University. Mindy, Zach & Gracia make their home in Rose Hill, Kansas. Because of her unique story, Gracia is a popular speaker for churches, conferences and schools.

Further information can be obtained at http://www.graciaburnham.org/

David's Testimony...

David writes...
I thank God that I can say that I was born into a Christian home. From an early age I realised that I was a sinner and that I needed to ask God for forgiveness. In January 1973 during the opening mission of Cookstown Free Presbyterian Church I asked The Lord Jesus Christ into my heart as my Saviour. Unfortunately I have to admit that most of my schooldays were spent in a backslidden state. However at the age of 19 in 1985 The Lord challenged me and I re-committed my life to Him. I got married to Mandy in 1989 and we have two children Aaron (1993) and Rebecca (1996).
In January 1990 we started attending Ballee Baptist Church in our home town of Ballymena. We came into membership the next year and continued attending without ever becoming involved in the Fellowship. In the summer of 2002 I felt challenged to get more involved and that September I started helping out at Saturday Night Youth Club.
In February 2004 Stephen asked if I would be interested in operating the sound desk for Solid Ground. I started attending practices and bookings with SG but was still unsure as to The Lord’s will. In June 2004 Solid Ground was singing at Dundonald Elim Church where the Pastor read from Psalm 32. Verse 7 was the confirmation that I was looking for – “… thou shalt compass me about with songs…” Since then I have been operating the sound desk for Solid Ground.
In May 2006 Mandy and I were asked to take over the running of the Saturday Night Youth Club. At that time SG were singing a new song called - “Stepping out on the Water” which was about Peter when he was told to get out of the boat. This story seemed to be mentioned at every meeting I attended and so we agreed to take on this new role of being Youth Club Leaders.
I would encourage all who read this to get involved in your local Church and “get out of the boat”. Please pray that as we seek to serve The Master we would see fruit for our labours.

Engagements - 2008/2009

January 2008
Sunday 20th - Dungannon Independent Methodist (7pm)
Sunday 27th - Lurgan Baptist Church (7pm)

February 2008
Sunday 10th - Coagh Baptist Church (7pm)
Sunday 17th - Ballymoney Elim Church (7pm)
Sunday 24th - Ballee Baptist Church (6.30pm)

March 2008
Sunday 2nd - Magherfelt Independent Methodist (7pm)
Sunday 16th - Limavady Baptist Church (6.30pm)
Friday 28th - Bloomfield Methodist Church (Wedding)
Saturday 29th - Upper Room Armagh (8.15pm)

April 2008
Sunday 6th - Dromore Baptist (6.30pm)
Friday 11th - Magheramason Mission (8pm)
Sunday 13 - Coleraine Independent Methodist (6.30pm)
Friday 18th - Drumahoe, Londonderry Concert (8pm)
Saturday 26th - Hazelbank Coleraine Concert (8pm)

May 2008
Sunday 11th - Ballykeel Baptist Church (6.30pm)
Sunday 25th - Branagh Memorial Hall (7pm)

June 2008
Sunday 1st - Cullybackey Elim Church (6pm)
Sunday 15th - Dunseverick Baptist Church (7pm)
Sunday 29th - Larne Mission Hall (7pm)

July 2008
No Bookings due to holidays

August 2008
Tuesday 5th - Ballee Baptist Church (Wedding)
Sunday 31st - Castlegore Mission Hall (8.15pm)

September 2008
Sunday 14th - Lisburn Baptist Church (6.30pm)
Sunday 21st - Kilkeel Baptist Church (7pm)
Wednesday 17th - Ballee Baptist Men's Fellowship (8.00pm)
Sunday 28th - Castlereagh Baptist Church (7pm)

October 2008
Sunday 5th - Portadown Free Presbyterian Church (7pm)
Saturday 11th - Carr Baptist Church (7.30pm)
Sunday 12th - Lurgan Baptist Church Mission (7pm)
Sunday 26th - Ballee Baptist Church Mission (6.30pm)

November 2008
Sunday 9th - Lisburn Independant Methodist (6.30pm)
Sunday 23rd - Lisburn Congregational Church (6.30pm)
Sunday 30th - Ballee Baptist Church (6.30pm)

December 2008
Saturday 6th - Larne Congregational Church TBC
Sunday 7th - Magherfelt Independent Methodist (7pm)

January 2009
Sunday 25th - Coagh Baptist Church (7pm)

February 2009
Sunday 1st - Larne Mission Hall (7pm)
Sunday 15th - Ballymena Elim Church (6.30pm)

March 2009
Sunday 1st - Lisburn Baptist Church (6.30pm)
Sunday 22nd - Banbridge Baptist Church (6.30pm)
Monday 23rd - Ballee Presbyterian Church (8.00pm)
Sunday 29th - Dungannon Independant Methodist Church (7.00pm)

April 2009
Sunday 26th - Dromore Baptist Church (6.30pm)

May 2009
Sunday 10th - Lurgan Baptist Church (7pm)
Sunday 31st - Woodford Gospel Assembly, Armagh (7.00pm)

June 2009
Sunday 28th - Cullybackey Elim church (6.00pm)

Stephen's Testimony...

Stephen's Testimony.......Isaiah 12 v 2 is my favourite verse when giving my testimony. It simply tells it how it is, 'God is my Salvation'...although only seven years of age at the time I knew it was the right thing to do if I ever wanted to get to heaven. God had loved me so much that He had sent His only son to die for me at Calvary. With child like faith I asked God to forgive my sins and I trusted Christ as my Saviour. That was forty years ago!!! I can truly say that I have been able 'to trust and not be afraid' especially over these past twenty three years as He has kept His protecting arms around me. Why? Because 'the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song'.

Twenty seven years ago I married Linda and God gave us two lovely daughters. I thank God today for household salvation.

Knowing God's call to do that little something for Him in singing with Solid Ground has been a privilege and one I don't take for granted...because without Him we are nothing, after all at best we are only 'sinners saved by grace'. I praise God for His calling my daughter Julie & her husband Jonny, to serve the Master in Mexico City with OMS. I also thank God for a very understanding wife who supports me in the work of Solid Ground. Not forgetting LJ & Ash as they to pray that God would be glorified in all that we seek to do for Him as we travel around the country singing His praises.

God Bless

On the Road July-December 2007

July 1st 2007 - Ballee Baptist Church
This was an extra special meeting for Solid Ground for a few reasons. Firstly it was the 'Commissioning Service' for Jonny & Julie Pollock (Stephen's daughter) before they go to serve the Lord in Mexico City with OMS International. Secondly it was the first time the new trio had sang in their own fellowship, so lots of nerves. 'Castles in the Sand' & 'Who knows Tomorrow' were the two pieces sang by Solid Ground. God gave strength and His Son glorified as Mr Stephen Williamson, Regional Director gave greetings from OMS Mexico and Pastor Kennedy brought the closing word.

August 4th - Portrush Evangelical Hall
Solid Ground were responsible for singing and speaking at the special summer outreach in Portrush with their friend Alan Francey giving a personal word of testimony. Stephen brought the epilogue from 1st Peter 5 v 7.

August 17th - Ballinderry Parish Church Hall
This was a meeting to welcome Mr Donald Coulter and his wife Lorraine as the Regional Director for Northern Ireland Region of OMS International. Solid Ground had the privilege of being involved in the meeting with Mike Berkley and Jim Faulkner from OMS (UK) also taking part. John 4 v 35

September 7th Straid Congregational Church
Another Missionary theme meeting with Solid Ground sharing in the ministry of OMS International. A live link to Mexico with Jonny & Julie Pollock and Gary Thompson from Ahoghill was a highlight in the meeting. Sharon Kelly from the Wash Basin also shared some recent experiences of her time in Mexico.

September 16th Tobermore Baptist Church
First night of a two week Gospel Mission outreach with Solid Ground presenting the gospel in song and Rev. Tommy Shaw from Dunaghy Congregational Church preaching the Word.

September 30th Kilrea Baptist Church
'Knowing who holds tomorrow' appeared to be the theme as Pastor John McFarland brought the word from Matthew 25 and Solid Ground sang.

October 5th Dunseverick Baptist Church
It was good to renew fellowship with the folks at Dunsererick. There has been a youth connection between Ballee and Dunseverick for over 30 years. It was a privilege for Solid Ground to take part in the 'Truth 4 Youth' Mission with Pastor Taylor form the Lisburn church as speaker. It was also great news to hear of one backslider being restored on the Monday night of the mission. Praise God!

October 10th Ballymena Congregational Church
Mr Paul Bradley from South Africa was the guest speaker at the special outreach 'Mission 07, the way to heaven'. Solid Ground ministered in song reminding all to build on a sure foundation. We have heard recently that 6 souls were saved during the time of mission. Praise the Lord!

October 13th Newtownards Congregational Church
Jeremiah 8 v 20 "The harvest is past, the summer is ended and we are not saved" was the text used by Rev. George Speers as Solid Ground echoed the warning in song, at the annual harvest praise service.

October 21st Portrush Baptist Church
With Pastor Geoffrey Ward away speaking else where, Mr David Good from Monkstown Baptist church was the speaker at Portrush. 'It was Love' was the theme of the pieces sang by Solid Ground. Supper was appreciated before returning to Ballymena.

October 28th Armagh Baptist Church
This was the first time for Solid Ground to sing in the beautiful new building at Armagh. Being able to sing from the heart 'He's my Saviour' is the personal testimony of all the members of the group even though sometimes we ask 'Why me Lord?' Pastor Colville Director of ABC was the visiting speaker.

October 30th Branagh Memorial Hall

It was good to renew fellowship with the saints at Branagh. Mark Brown student at Belfast Bible College and fellow member at Ballee Baptist Church accompanied Solid Ground to this engagement and spoke from Isaiah ch 6. The Gospel was faithfully proclaimed in word and in song.

November 4th Cullybackey Elim Church

Pastor Stephen Neill from Dromore Elim Church was the guest speaker at Cullybackey. Solid Ground sang a number of pieces and finished with 'It was love' reminding all why Christ died on Calvary's tree.

November 5th Anahilt Presbyterian Church

This was the annual Harvest Praise and the Rev Jim Hagan was the guest speaker who having read from Jeremiah ch 8 and verse 20 left all in no doubt of their need of salvation. This was supported by the songs from Solid Ground and the word of testimony from Ashley.

November 11th Lisburn Independent Methodist Church

A new venue for Solid Ground and the special speaker was the Rev Eric Lewis (Ballycraigy) who expounded Matthew 13 - the parable of the wheat and the tares. Being 'Remembrance Sunday' the boys were singing of the one who paid the ultimate sacrifice to take away the sin of the world.

November 18th Larne Mission Hall

It was good to renew fellowship with the folks at Larne who have had a difficult time during the past few days with two deaths in the fellowship. David Stewart from Castledawson was standing in for the Pastor who was away speaking at a mission he was conducting. David spoke from Matthew 8 on 'Lessons we can learn from the storms of life'. Solid Ground singing and using the theme of 'Who knows tomorrow' was very apt for the circumstances.

November 22nd Ballee Baptist Church

See 'post' - In the Presence of myenemies dated 23rd November 2007.

November 25th Ballee Baptist Church

Its never easy singing in your own fellowship but God always gives the grace. Solid Ground take comfort from the fact that all can say 'He's My Saviour' and having a friend that always near, never far - 'That's Just Like Jesus'. Pastor Jones was the speaker and spoke from probably the most well known verse in the Bible - John 3 v 16.

December 1st - Castlereagh Baptist Church

This was a wonderful night of praise organised by 'The Friendship Hour' at Castlereagh after their annual Christmas dinner. A number of artists took part in the programme along with Solid Ground.

Sinner Saved By Grace (Live)

This is a live recording of Solid Ground Quartet at the Christian Police Association meetings in Portrush in August 2006. With Tom on Tenor, Stephen on Baritone, Wully on Lead and Stevie Law on Bass.