Rev McCollum makes history with online installation

The Rev Robert McCollum, from Coleraine, was raised on a dairy farm with five brothers and sisters.

Never before in the short history of the congregation, nor in the much longer history of the Reformed Presbyterian denomination has an installation ever taken place in this format.

Needless to say it was a special night for the Lisburn congregation, receiving their second minister in their thirty-eight year history. Located on the Nettlehill Road on the north side of Lisburn, the church was founded in 1982 by Prof Robert McCollum, who retired from the work in 2018. Ironically, the new pastor is another Robert McCollum, a nephew of his predecessor.

Rev McCollum is a Coleraine man born and bred.

He continued: “Raised on a dairy farm with five brothers and sisters, I had a great upbringing. Without doubt, the most central thing in my life is my faith in Jesus Christ.

“Having been brought up going to church and learning about God, I became a Christian when I was eleven, entrusting my life to the Lord Jesus Christ. Since then, there have been plenty of ups and downs in my life, but God has been the great constant, always good.

“After school I studied Music at Queens, before then training to be a Post-Primary Music teacher, receiving my Post Graduate Certificate in Education. Following that I spent four years in the Reformed Theological College, Belfast, and in 2012, I became a pastor, serving the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Newtownards. Along the way, I married my beautiful wife, Emma almost eleven years ago, and together we have three children, Jonah (7), Toby (5) and Flynn (2). Needless to say, life is full and there is never a dull moment!”

When asked what his hopes are as he begin his ministry in Lisburn, Rev McCollum said: “My great hope is to bring a message of comfort and healing to people in this city who are hurting and broken. I may not have all the answers, but I can point to the one who does, Jesus Christ.

“Every week our services are at 11.30am and 6.30pm (also livestreamed on youtube.com/lisburnrpc). You will find the Bible opened up and simply explained. We would love to welcome visitors to our services and encourage you, if interested, to get in touch with us by email ([email protected]) or Facebook (facebook.com/lisburnrpc) or by visiting our website (lisburn.rpc.org).”