A God-Given Opportunity
Trust develops vision for a new Christian centre at Guysmere
(From the January - March 2021 issue of VOX)
For over 80 years, a site of “Outstanding Natural Beauty” in Northern Ireland has been home to Christian camps for young people. Owned by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland since 1926, Guysmere, near Castlerock eventually fell into disrepair and there were plans to sell the site until a small group of volunteers came to the rescue. VOX magazine spoke to retired Presbyterian minister, Rev Jim McCaughan to find out more.
“Guysmere is right beside a blue flag beach and ideally located on the main railway line between Derry and Belfast,” Jim told us. “I came to Castlerock to serve as minister of the local Presbyterian Church in the 1980s and for ten years I served as chaplain of the annual boys camp.”
Around 140 boys would arrive at the camp every summer for a packed programme of sports and activities, combined with Bible teaching and a strong missionary focus.
“People came to faith. Others were called into all kinds of Christian ministry and many more went home to their churches and local communities to serve God right there.”
“People came to faith. Others were called into all kinds of Christian ministry and many more went home to their churches and local communities to serve God right there,” Jim said.
Gradually over the years, the buildings became outdated and in need of renovation but with the financial downturn in the early 2000s less young people were coming on camps and eventually the centre closed.
“Finally in 2017, they were talking about selling. I was shocked to hear that and I started to a campaign to save Guysmere. We believe it is a God-given opportunity to have a site like this and not to use it would be a sin. We want to make the most of the opportunity we have. Our heart is for mission and ministry,” Jim explained.
The group set up the Guysmere Trust and are seeking charitable status. They are drawing up a vision to regenerate and use the site as a Christian centre. Jim and his fellow directors see huge potential for a wide range of ministry opportunities.
“It could be a centre for church weekends, training youth weekends, mental health retreats and conferences. Ensuring that the site is accessible for people of all abilities is high on the agenda. At present people in wheelchairs cannot get onto the beach. We would want to provide facilities for wheelchair users and their carers to enjoy everything that Guysmere has to offer.
“It is a massive task. At present we are very much clarifying our vision and doubtless we won’t be able to do everything we dream of, but there is so much potential,” Jim said.
The trust has the support of the Friends of Guysmere Castlerock - a Facebook group set up by people with fond memories of former camps and programmes at the centre. “The best two weeks of my youth for three years,” one recalled.
Describing the centre as a place of “great potential” the Friends of Guysmere wrote, “Today it presents a heaven-sent opportunity to develop a new facility for the Lord’s work in the 21st century.”
If you are interested in finding out more, contact the Board of Directors.
