Belfast, Northern Ireland - Hope Charity Shop, an outreach of the Church of the Nazarene, Skegoneill Avenue, opened its doors for business 15 May. The new thrift store is designed to help the church build ministry connections with the local community and immigrants such as the Filipinos who have moved there.

The 650-square-foot shop caters to the community’s primary need for good value items at a reasonable cost. Inventory includes a range of new and second-hand children’s and adults’ clothing, DVDs, books, jewelry and household goods.

Hope Charity Shop is open Monday to Saturday for five hours and is staffed entirely by 21 volunteers of whom 14 are church members.

The church has been ministering globally and locally for 73 years. Recently, the church of 50 noticed considerable social change in their local area, with an influx of ethnic groups mainly from India, Pakistan and the Philippines.

“We are a small evangelical church that has always been involved in foreign mission activity and we felt called to have a more direct outreach closer to home,” said Rev. Robert Birnie, the church’s pastor.

The concern now was to find a way to put that calling into action.

In February, after a board prayer meeting, the church settled on plans to start a charity shop that would develop relations with the Filipino and other communities that have settled in this area. The shop will build on connections the church had already established, such as hosting a well-attended Filipino Carol Service, and loaning out the church hall and ‘Santa’ for community celebrations.

The church members who work in the shop will have the opportunity to get acquainted with regular shoppers. As relationships deepen, the staff will invite them to bring their children to Sunday school or to other church activities, such as the Independence Day Extravaganza.

“This is targeting in a way that we have never done before and we are convinced that the Charity Shop will strengthen the link as we as provide a valuable economic resource,” said Terry Mulhall, the church’s treasurer. “The church is praying that spiritual breakthroughs will follow the social ones.”

Additionally, since many Filipinos tend to hold low-paying jobs, the church hopes the shop will bring some welcome financial relief to their community.

“It is a great idea and vision as it gives the church a significant presence in the community,” said Rev. Colin H. Wood, superintendent of the British Northern Isles District. “It is a practical ministry and a way of raising funds to re-invest in the program and outreach of the church. It gives volunteers who operate the charity shop a ministry and opportunities to make contact and build relationships with people.”

According to Mulhall, no more than 2-3% of the local community realize the church exists or know what it is about. The shop is located in an area where rivalries and violence exist between different nationalities as well as religions. Strangers are often asked their religion or background before their name.

“We believe that our shop can bring ‘hope’ across all sides of our community because need knows no boundaries,” said Birnie, explaining why they chose the name Hope Charity Shop.

While district churches have held compassionate programs in the past, this is the first charity shop in a location separate from its host church. By keeping the shop location separate from the church, shoppers from all backgrounds can feel welcome, said Wood.

If the shop is successful in reaching its goals, this autumn the church will discuss the possibility of starting similar stores in the future. The money raised from the shop will go towards church funds, supporting a local charity and maintaining our support for international Nazarene charities. In the past the church has sent donations to Rwanda and Haiti. Crowe Foundation, a Nazarene charity in Northern Ireland, and the British Isles North District, provided support to open the shop.

Hope Charity Shop is located at 41 Shore Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Click on the image to view more pictures of the Hope Charity Shop.