by Katie Dickie 

Growing up in a “hardline Loyalist” housing estate in Larne, Mark Durrell became “desensitised” to the “big headlines” that dominated his youth.
Reports of terrorist bombings and murders had become commonplace.
The Minister for Lisbellaw, Maguiresbridge and Tempo Methodist Circuit since last July, Reverend Durrell was previously Minister for the Portadown Circuit, serving Thomas Street, Epworth, Mahon and Battlehill Churches.
As he prepares for his ordination on June 18, Rev. Durrell told The Impartial Reporter about his earlier life and the events that brought him closer to God.
In his youth, he admits to seeing God as “a strict Headmaster”. He attended Craigyhill Methodist Church with his mother and aunt from the age of five to 14.
As an older teenager Mark “always believed in God”. He said: “But I saw him as irrelevant to making me happy.”
He reveals that he was “a new romantic”, explaining: “It was the electric age and I was into changing hairstyles and fashions. I modelled myself on Simon Le Bon and Martin Kemp from Spandau Ballet.”
He left school and became an electrician, finding that it offered him a comfortable lifestyle.
It was in a nightclub with friends that the young Mark thought to himself: “There has to be more to life than this.” He commented: “What once gave me pleasure slowly began leaving me empty.”
He decided to go along to a mission called ‘The walk of 1,000 men.’
The event changed Mark’s life. He remembers being deeply moved by the male speakers, who had led very challenging lives before being transformed by the Lord.
“I wanted what they had, they were so content and it was as if they were glowing from the inside out,” he said.
“I had just walked my girlfriend home from the mission and was half way along the Auntiville Road in Larne when I stopped and I asked God into my heart and suddenly I felt found.”
Life moved on for Mark and many challenges lay ahead of him but he explained that he “took comfort in the Lord as his anchor. I drew great strength from the Lord,” he said.
He believes that if God were to speak directly to society today he would say: “You still need me.”
Drawing parallels between the work he carries out in the 21st century and the work done by the one of the founders of Methodism, John Wesley in the 16th century.
“Wesley was pulling children from gin shops, taking food to prisoners and visiting them, it was a period of social reform,” he said.
“Wesley focused on discipleship and believed in gathering small groups together to become more Christ like. Today we still have similar problems in society and outreach from the church today is still vitally important.”
Reflecting on what equips him to deal with tragedy and difficult times, faced by both himself and his congregation, Rev. Durrell draws strength from life experience and how God has worked in his own life. “I don’t believe in giving twee or pat answers. Everyone has a different experience and I try to journey alongside them,” he said
Each day he draws great strength from the psalms, particularly Psalm 16 verses seven and eight: “I will bless the lord who guides me and even at night my heart instructs me. I know the lord is always with me and I will not be shaken for he is right beside me.”
The Minister is more aware than most that people often believe they are not good enough to come to church.
“The truth is we are all lost sheep and when one sinner repents and follows Jesus there is such joy in heaven,” he stated.
“God looks into our hearts, forgiveness is instant but that journey will take us all the days of our lives,” he added.
Rev. Durrell, is married to the Reverend. Amanda Durrell and is looking forward to his ordination service, he wishes to give God the glory for all that he has done in his life.