Leadership

Mark Patterson (Senior Pastor)

Mark is married to Barbara and they have 4 adult sons, all married. Mark has come to Moira after many years of ministry in Irish Baptist circles. He has served in Baptist churches in Portadown, Knockconny, Carryduff and latterly in Newcastle. His induction to Moira took place in January 2022. Mark also served as President of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland in 2022/3.

Mark has a love for reading, travelling, playing golf, and a good cup of coffee …though not necessarily in that order!

Ralph Patterson (Elder)

Ralph and his wife Sheelagh have been members of Moira Baptist since 2004. They have four children two boys and two girls. Ralph owns a small engineering firm near Nuttscorner. He has a passion for all things mechanical and enjoys working and creating all manner of things out of wood or steel.

After growing up in Ballinderry Ralph moved to Glasgow to study mechanical engineering. He lived and worked in Aberdeen for 7 years before moving back to Northern Ireland in 2002 with his family to take over the family business. He joined the eldership of the church in 2018 after serving as a deacon in the church.

One of Ralph’s great passion is worship in the church.

Peter Smyth (Elder)

Peter is married to Lorraine and has three married children and two grandchildren. He and Lorraine have served the church in several roles over the years, including Peter previously serving as elder for several years. The church elected Peter once again as an elder in March 2023.

Pastoral assistant

Jonny Dodds

Jonny is originally from Newtownabbey. After his A Levels, Jonny undertook an internship with Bible-Centred Ministries at Mullartown House in Annalong, during which he felt the call of God on his life to serve in full-time ministry. To prepare for this, Jonny spent three years studying on the Preparation for Ministry course at the Irish Baptist College before accepting the call to serve at Moira.