People are the most valued resource here at First Portadown. Within the large family of our congregation, an outstanding number of people volunteer their time and skills to our work and witness. From teachers and leaders to caretakers and tea makers, each are vitally important in the life of our Church.
We are led by a strong pastoral team and Kirk Session. Find out more about our pastoral team in their profiles below.
Our Pastoral Team
Rev. Stafford Carson
Minister
Reverend Stafford Carson was installed as minister of First Presbyterian Church, Portadown on 3 June 2005. He is a graduate of the University of Ulster, Queen's University, Belfast, and Westminster Theological Seminary. Mr Carson served as minister of Kells and Eskylane Presbyterian Churches, Carnmoney Presbyterian Church, and from 2000-05 was Executive Vice President of Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He is married to Patricia and they have three children, Sara, Luke, and Ruth.
Mr. Jack Bennett
Lay Assistant
I consider it a great privilege to have been well instructed from an early age in the Gospel through Sunday School and church. However it wasn’t until late in my teens I came to personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Leaving secular employment I took the first major step of many into preparation for and actual full-time Christian ministry.
Bible College plus three most helpful years in evangelistic work with the Faith Mission mainly in the Midlands of England followed by one year’s study in London was excellent training for missionary work in Brazil.
I left UK in 1971 to work with Acre Gospel Mission in the Amazon Basin region. In October 1973 June and I were married and served the Lord together for another 15 years in Brazil.
God blessed us with 3 sons: Andrew, Mark and David.
A six-year pastorate in a small church in rural mid-Ulster preceded a happy period of seven years as Secretary of Acre Gospel Mission, based in Belfast. The desire to be involved in church and pastoral work has been always present so when the position of full-time lay assistant in First Portadown Presbyterian Church was advertised, I applied for the post believing God was opening the door.
I am grateful for God’s guideness and direction and look forward to serving the Lord as part of the Ministry Team.
Mark Proctor
Youth & Family Worker
Male, Born 1973, GSOH, Likes to share the good news about Jesus Christ. Seeks like-minded Christians to do same. Interested? …please contact me. On days off, enjoys Mauds ice-cream and flying kites on Newcastle beach.
Portadown is my home. I attended Millington Primary, Clounagh Junior High, and Portadown College, before studying Civil Engineering at Queens University. I then worked as a Civil Engineer for 6 years.
It was when I was 14 that I realised my own sinfulness and, fearing hell, I ran to Jesus for forgiveness. Later, I realised being a Christian was more than just a “ticket” to heaven. I slowly began to learn that it meant living with God in charge and living everyday for Him. This is how my involvement in youth work began.
Through the years, I became increasingly involved in Christian youth work. I eventually came to realise that I would have to give up Engineering and get qualified in youth work. So in the autumn of 2000, I started a degree in Applied Theology (with Youth & Community Work) at Moorlands College. Whilst I was there, I met Zoë and we got married in December 2001. In the spring of 2002, we became certain that God wanted us back in Portadown, so I applied for the job I now have.
I have been working as Youth & Family Worker since August 2002. The job involves pretty much what the title implies. I really enjoy it (well most of it!) and would value your prayers.
Margaret Hynes
Lay Visitor
Start Date: Beginning of August 2006
Margaret is a wife and mother who has extensive experience as a midwife and manager in the Health Service. She will be combining her responsibilities in the church with part-time duties as a midwife in Craigavon Area Hospital. In her role as lay visitor Margaret will have a special interest in the pastoral needs and concerns of the women in the congregation.