At its 2022 annual Conference, the Rev. David L Turtle was designated as President of the Methodist Church in Ireland for 2023-24. He will be installed as President during the opening service of the 254th Conference of the Methodist Church in Ireland taking place this year at Assembly Buildings in Belfast from Thursday 8th – Saturday 10th June. 

The Rev. Turtle who is a graduate in Agriculture from Queen's University, grew up near Stewartstown, Co. Tyrone where after graduating farmed for twelve years with his father. Feeling a call to ministry he first served as a lay pastor on the Aughnacloy and Monaghan Circuit of the Methodist Church in Ireland.

He was accepted for ministerial training at Edgehill College where he graduated with a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Queen's University. The President-designate was ordained at the Methodist Conference in Dublin in 2009.

 Over the years the Rev. Turtle has been stationed in Ballynahinch Methodist Church, Trinity Methodist Church in Lisburn and most recently in Seymour Street Methodist in Lisburn where he is also the Superintendent of the Lagan Valley and South Down Circuit.

When asked about his passion in ministry he said:

"My passion is teaching the Scriptures and encouraging followers of Jesus to deepen their relationship with God to integrate their faith in every aspect of their lives."

The President’s theme for his year in Office will be "Take my yoke upon you."

Speaking ahead of his installation, the Rev. Turtle said:

I hope that I’ll be able to draw alongside people and actually just be there to encourage our Connexion, to encourage individuals to keep walking in the way of Jesus, and to encourage the church to step forward into whatever God has for us next.”

Reflecting on the Church today, the Rev. Turtle said:

“The Church isn’t in the same privileged position of influence in which it once was, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the Church. We have real opportunities to engage with people in their daily lives and find new ways to do that well.”

He went on to say:

“(As Methodists) We’re really keen that we don’t remain static and that we don’t continue doing the things we’re doing year after year … we’re looking at ourselves and considering how we might best move into a phase of growth.”

As well as serving as a minister in local churches, the Rev. Turtle has served as Convenor of the Faith and Order Committee of the Methodist Church in Ireland as well as serving on the Executive of the European Methodist Council and latterly as a council member of the Communion of Protestant Churches in Europe.

In his inaugural address on the evening of Thursday 8th June, the Rev David Turtle will reflect on the words of Jesus found in the book of Matthew 11:28:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest!” 

He will say:

“These words of Jesus which Matthew records for us, the best term I can come up with is to say that they have haunted me for over 15 years. They continually chase me down.”

“More than any other, these are the words of Scripture that I come back to again and again. This passage is the place that my heart and soul is drawn to.  Because, at least for me, though I believe actually for each and every human soul, those words both answer and call out a longing that resides within me. At the very depths of our beings there is a desire for this kind of rest, for this kind of life in Jesus.”

Married to Pamela, they have four children.

ENDS

Photo Credit: Kelvin Boyes (PressEye)

Notes to Editors

-  The Service of Installation of Rev David L Turtle as President will take place on Thursday 8th June at 7.30pm at Assembly Buildings, Belfast.

- The supreme court of the Church is the conference, which is the final authority in the Church in all matters of doctrine, worship, discipline and order.

- The first conference in Ireland was called by John Wesley in 1752 and was held in Limerick. With a few exceptions, the Irish Conference had been chaired by the successor of John Wesley, the President of the Methodist Church in England, until recently. In the last number of years the Church has elected a President annually, who chairs the Conference and other committees throughout the year, as well as visiting Methodist congregations all over the island and representing the Church in the public sphere.

PRESS VIDEO
Interview (9mins, 5 questions)

PODCAST VIDEO
Interview with General Secretary of the Methodist Church in Ireland, Rev Dr Heather Morris (40mins)

LIVE STREAM
Stream the Conference Live (8-10 June) and learn more here.

Issued by: Stephen Mayes
Communications Manager
+44 (0) 28 9076 7969 | stephen.mayes@irishmethodist.org