Speakers Bios
This page contains information about each of our key speakers.
To view the information click on the name of the speaker. If you are unable to use a mouse you can use the tab key to move between the options then use the up and down arrow keys to open and close the section.
Colin Morrison
Photograph of Colin Morrison
Born: Belfast, a fair wee while ago!.
Status: Married to Rosemary
Do you have any Children? 3 grown up (most of the time!) daughters
Where do you live now? Off the North Circular Road
What do you do? Minister of Eglinton Presbyterian Church
What did you do when you had a real job? I attended Wheatfield Primary School and then the Belfast Boys Model. Though never brave enough to play rugby I was at school when we won the Schools Cup in 1971 – still the only non grammar school to do so. Best bit was beating BRA in the semis. Magic. Sheer magic! And for any Model Old Boys reading this, here’s the famous song to sing to the tune of “Onward Christian Soldiers”:
Onward Model forwards, onward to the play, If we win for Ernie, this will be our day We have beaten Armagh, Portora , Methody too, We have beaten BRA and now its up to you.. (Repeat – time and time and time again…)
Never had a real job (some say) and after school and University for six years ( in the days of grants, not loans).
I was assistant minister in Rosemary Presbyterian Church and then minister of Cairncastle Presbyterian Church from 1983-1993 before coming to Eglinton Presbyterian Church.
How do you spend your leisure time? I enjoy eating and watching Manchester United, Linfield, Northern Ireland and Woodvale Cricket Club win. I dislike sweetcorn, most pasta, all peppers ( in case you ever think of feeding me!) Liverpool and Glentoran.
What’s your Favourite TV programme? Taggart
What’s your Favourite Film? Braveheart
What is your Favourite quote? God only made so many beautiful heads, the rest he covered with hair.
Can you tell us something Random about yourself? I love cricket?
What would you say is the best thing about you? That is for others to decide, I’m far too modest to say!
My hope for the Easter week: That the life and witness of our congregation generally and “The Cross Factor” particularly will be salt and light in the community of North Belfast and many people will come to and grow in personal faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.
Jackie Spence
Photograph ofJackie Spence
Name: Jackie Spence
Born: I was born in Sandy Row Belfast in 1960, the second youngest of six children.
Status: Married to Allison 21 years
Have you any Children? Yes! We have two teenage daughters Alana, Lauren and a dog called Pip.
Where do you live now? I live in North Belfast off Ballysillan Road.
What do you do? I am an assistant minister in Kilbride Presbyterian Church Doagh.
What did you do when you had a real job? I left school at 15 years of age and went to work in a car factory on the Donegal Road. There wasn’t much contact with church when I was a child. However I began to seek God at the age of 26. I didn’t know where to look but as I was reading through a newspaper at work one day I saw an advert for a free book about the Christian faith. Having read the book I committed my life to Jesus one evening alone, at home. Telling the guys at work wasn’t easy, but I went along to the nearest Church, which was Richview Presbyterian on the Donegal Road and got support there.
After 13 years in the factory I left in 1989 and studied for 3 years at Belfast Bible College. From there I went to work with Belfast City Mission for 15 years.
How do you spend your leisure time? I enjoy playing and listening to music such as Elvis, Neil Diamond, and Joe Bonamassa. In my teens and twenties I played guitar and drums in various bands doing the pubs and clubs. I used to do a lot of running e.g. 10 km runs and a marathon. Now I just walk the dog!
What’s your Favourite TV programme? I enjoy watching Columbo, and the humour of TV programmes like Dad’s Army and Only Fools and Horses.
What’s your Favourite Film? All old movies with stars like James Cagney
What is your Favourite quote?“My life was given to me to spend for God, I have no intention of hoarding it or wasting it, but I intend to spend this one life wisely.” J.A. Berkeley.
Can you tell us something Random about yourself?I got engaged to Allison 6 weeks after we met!
What would you say is the best thing about you? My wife would say my looks, but she is just biased. Really, I am just a down to earth guy who loves God and life with a passion.
My hope for the Easter week: The awakening of people in the community to the importance of a personal relationship with God in Jesus Christ.
Lachlan Webster
Photograph of Lachlan Webster
Born: Born Dundee, Scotland 1980.
When did you move from Scotland to here on the main land? 2005
Status: Married to Deborah
Have you any Children? Yes! One daughter Called Freya who was born last April
Where do you live now? Greenisland.
What do you do? I am a Student Assistant Minister at Gardenmore Presbyterian Church in Larne and I am still studying to become a ‘real’ minster at Union College in QUB
What did you do when you had a real job? I used to work in IT (yawn!)
How do you spend your leisure time? I enjoy eating, sleeping, fixing things and being a dad.
What’s your Favourite TV programme? Hole in the Wall
What’s your Favourite Film? Shawshank Redemption
Can you tell us something Random about yourself? I only have eight toenails!
What is your Favourite quote? "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose." Jim Elliot (28/10/49)
What would you say is the best thing about you? The best thing about me is that I'm accepted by God through the death and resurrection of His Beloved Son. I exist to know Jesus Christ and make Him known.
