Forty years ago, Billy McCurrie was an angry young man in The Maze.
Thirty years ago, he was a changed character, with the avowed atheist and communist now a Christian – and keen to find out what God had in store for him in the future...
Twenty years ago, he was appointed Pastor of Aughton Park Baptist Church and this weekend he and the congregation celebrated with a fellowship lunch to thank ’Pastor Billy’ as he’s known for his work there.
Billy, who hails from E. Belfast, was part of a UVF gang which he joined to fulfil a vow to avenge his father’s death at the hand of an IRA gunman; as a 17-year-old he was sentenced to a life sentence in The Maze and it’s there after starting to read the Bible – in part to take away the boredom of prison life – he was converted; his fascinating testimony’s been featured by the OU in a BBC2 TV series ‘changed lives’.
He hit the headlines recently with this Daily Mail story: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7146805/Man-father-shot-dead-Troubles-hits-unrepentant-IRA-commander.html
Billy and his wife Roberta now live on Colinmander Gardens, Aughton and he’s best known in town for his outdoor work at Ormskirk market where he’s helped by two Joe’s – Joe Smith from the church and young street evangelist Joe Kirby.
“I’ve had more good years than bad years at Aughton Park”, said Billy, 60, who recently announced his intention to retire at 65.
A series of old photos showed how he’s gained weight and gone greyer – but although the man has changed, his message definitely hasn’t and Aughton Park has been blessed over the last few months with newcomers who’ve engaged with the church’s website and come looking for a Bible believing church in the locality.
To listen to Billy’s Sunday morning service, click here:aughtonparkbaptistchurch.org/john-141-9-the-only-remedy-for-sin/