An 80/20 ministry role — part parish, part farming community — for a minister who wants real, rooted outreach.
Raphoe sits within a wider rural community — one that doesn't always find its way through a church door on a Sunday morning. In partnership with the Council for Mission in Ireland (CMI), we've secured a new rural chaplaincy: a minister role split roughly 80% parish ministry and 20% dedicated outreach into the surrounding area, including our local farming families.
At the heart of this ministry is Raphoe Livestock Mart — one of Ireland's premier marts, drawing farmers from Donegal, Derry, Sligo, Leitrim, and Monaghan for sheep sales on Mondays and cattle sales on Thursdays. The Rural Chaplain will spend one day a week there, building trust and relationships with farmers, staff, and attendees — listening, encouraging, and offering both practical support and pastoral care in the midst of everyday life.
220 families connected to our congregation, an active Sunday School of 45 children across both churches, and a warm, close-knit community that wants to grow further.
Mid-refurbishment of the manse following a hugely successful community fundraising campaign — proof this congregation backs its vision with action.
Raphoe and Ballindrait — two church families, shared ministry, and a community that welcomes new ideas.
The area around Raphoe is close-knit, hardworking, and rooted in the land — with a strong farming community as part of the wider mix. This role isn't about fitting rural life into a traditional ministry mould — it's about a minister who genuinely wants to understand this place, spend time in it, and be a steady, approachable presence within it.
This ministry is backed by a genuine partnership, not left for one person to carry alone:
Photo: Tony Nee
We'd love to hear from you — whether you're exploring the role yourself or want to point us toward someone who'd be a great fit.
For specific questions about the Rural Chaplaincy element of the role, you can also contact Rick Hill, Secretary of the Council for Mission in Ireland: 028 9041 7265 / 077 0268 6453 / rhill@presbyterianireland.org