STRIVING TO SHOW FOLKS THAT THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN MIGHT BE CLOSER THAN THEY THINK.
about Ireland
Live in Ireland and you’ll learn to always ‘put the kettle on’ before you answer the door. You’ll also learn that strong relationships can be more valuable than accomplishments. But what you’ll figure out quickly is that the Irish—in a seeming defiance of their own long history of hardships—posses in themselves an unrivalled graciousness for others.
From the time of St. Patrick, the Irish have a centuries-old history with Christianity but, while there is a spiritual richness in that history, it also brims with societal division, religious apartheid, oppression, and sexual abuse. Ultimately left the Irish people wanting nothing more than to ‘liberate’ themselves from the Church.
The Gospel of Jesus is about his Kingdom being ‘at hand’ (Mark 1:15), his work on the Cross, and his victory over death (Rom 3:23-26; Rev 1:18). By-and-large, however, the Irish people were taught about Jesus, sin, obedience, and salvation…but weren’t given the chance to experience the Kingdom’s presence, as Jesus himself proclaimed. Instead, they experienced something far, far worse. As a result, the Gospel of Jesus was reduced to being something hollow and empty. Carts aren’t much good without the horse—and with all they’ve suffered at the hands of religious leaders, the Irish are happy to take their injuries and limp away from faith altogether.
As you read these pages, we hope you’ll see how everything we do is about bringing the fullness of Christ’s gospel to people. In that, we hope that this ministry in Ireland will begin to resonate within you and we invite you to take part in it with us. Your partnership and financial support will continue to fuel this work of bringing the Gospel to people.
We would truly love to have you with us, bringing to Ireland the fullness of the Gospel — the horse and the cart!
For God and God alone, MaryAnne & Ryan Ashley
Our Work & Vision
Primarily, the vision and structure of our ministry work is strategically organised into 4 laneways:Into the City
Bring the Gospel, in its fullness, to the families, schools, and communities throughout the urban centres of Dublin City.
In the Church
Resource and help local ministries, churches, faith communities, in their Gospel work.
Among People
Via pastoral work, hospitality, and presence, prayerfully take the Gospel into our social spheres and individual relationships.
In Worship
Pray through, plan, lead, and facilitate corporate worship gatherings within churches, conferences, and ministry events.
UrbanSoul team of student-volunteers working a community garden. (The Liberties, Dublin)
In the City
We strive to bring the Kingdom of Heaven into inner-city Dublin. That means leading a local ministry called UrbanSoul. Our team recruits and organises volunteers to clean streets; run school breakfast programs; do handyman work for other local charities….whatever we can to minister to needs, in the way Jesus would.
Ryan teaching at a worship clinic, for a network of Filipino churches. (in Chapelizod, Dublin)
In the Church
Together, we help equip and resource local churches, ministry groups, and individuals leaders. For pastors/leaders, it means helping them discover what’s working for them in ministry. For local churches and organisations, it means consulting or advising on projects which support their ministries. For cross-cultural workers, it’s helping them find clarity of vision and strategy in their calling.
Widely respected blues musician, N.C., “making hay, while the sun’s shining.” (Grafton Street, Dublin)
Among the People
Walking amidst the local music community in Dublin, representing the Kingdom means earning trust and being available as an unofficial chaplain of sorts—simply put, a reliable and safe presence for whenever someone feels the need to explore spirituality, process through past experiences, or for help in a current crisis.
Working on a worship video project for an online conference, in 2021. (The Liberties, Dublin)
In Worship
Bringing the Kingdom through worship means the resourcing, equipping, and leading corporate worship among the many gatherings of congregations, groups, outreaches, churches, conferences, and special events. In this, we find ourselves in cathedrals, public stages, on TV, at camps, in hotels, and retreat centres.
