Just before Christmas 2010 the thermometer read 18 degrees and snow covered the ground in Derry, Northern Ireland. Despite the weather, more than 100 people from Cornerstone City Church gathered on a busy street to distribute 2,000 bags of groceries provided by Convoy of Hope.
During the outreach, volunteers sang carols, offered prayer, and gave coffee, tea and soup to more than 6,000 people.
History records violence and mistrust between Catholics and Protestants in Derry. For some residents, these feelings persist. Brian Somerville, pastor of Cornerstone City Church, and his congregation want to promote unity and healing among Derry’s residents — meeting people’s needs is helping do that.
“Cornerstone City Church uses the outreach methodology of Convoy of Hope,” says Michael McNamee, president of Convoy of Hope Europe.
The strategy is working. Convoy of Hope Europe has scheduled five outreaches in Ireland this year.
