24 Sep 2025, 11:41Lynne Sesinye-Samwinga
Oreliaires Sing for Care Home Residents in Northumberland
The Oreliaires share hope through music in Northumberland - paving the way for future mission through community-focused outreach.
On Sunday 27 July, The Oreliaires, a youth male singing group from South Shields Seventh-day Adventist Church in Tyne and Wear, travelled to Choppington in Northumberland to share a programme of uplifting songs with residents at Wansbeck Care Home.
The Oreliaires, based in South Tyneside, have recently extended their ministry into neighbouring Northumberland, a county with no established Seventh-day Adventist presence. Earlier in the year, on 27 April, the Samwinga Brothers (three members of The Oreliaires) visited Blue Bell Manor in Morpeth, where they brought encouragement and hope through music. Relatives of the residents were also present and warmly received the songs, with some joining in when familiar tunes were sung. One family member was so moved that they exchanged contact details with the Samwinga Brothers, inviting them to sing at a future event.
A County Without an Adventist Presence
Northumberland, established in the 12th century, is England’s most northerly county. It borders Scotland to the north, the North Sea to the east, Cumbria to the west, and Tyne and Wear and County Durham to the south. Its largest settlement is Blyth, while Morpeth serves as the administrative centre.
Despite covering 5,013 km² (1,936 sq mi), Northumberland has a relatively small population of just over 320,000, making it the least densely populated county in England. The southeast contains the largest towns - Blyth, Cramlington, Ashington, Bedlington, and Morpeth - while much of the county remains rural, dotted with historic market towns such as Berwick-upon-Tweed in the north and Hexham in the southwest.
The county’s history has been shaped by its borderland position. During Roman times, much of it lay north of Hadrian’s Wall, and for centuries it was contested between England and Scotland. Today, its heritage is still visible through castles, peel towers, and fortifications. Northumberland also has deep Christian roots, with Lindisfarne (Holy Island) playing a central role in the spread of Celtic Christianity.
Northumberland is also celebrated for its natural beauty, home to Northumberland National Park and two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: the Northumberland Coast and part of the North Pennines. According to the 2001 Census, 81% of residents identified as Christian, 0.8% with another faith, and 12% reported no religion. Ethnic diversity remains limited, with less than 1% of the population belonging to minority groups (compared to 9.1% nationally).
How Can the Adventist Church Evangelise in Northumberland?
With no Adventist congregations currently established, Northumberland represents a mission frontier. Its scattered rural communities, historic towns, and modest population density call for an approach that is flexible, relational, and sustainable.
One promising method is Marketplace Evangelism - a model that brings the church into the heart of everyday community life through practical service, professional engagement, and personal witness. Instead of waiting for people to enter church buildings, believers can meet them in natural gathering spaces such as markets, fairs, high streets, and festivals.
Marketplace Evangelism: An Action Plan for Northumberland
Community Needs Assessment
Carry out informal surveys and conversations at markets, fairs, and public events to identify pressing needs such as health support, youth activities, financial education, or family workshops. Prioritise key towns including Blyth, Morpeth, Ashington, Cramlington, Bedlington, Hexham, and Berwick-upon-Tweed.Pop-up Ministry Points
Create mobile stalls offering free health checks, lifestyle advice, and uplifting literature. Live music from groups like The Oreliaires can help draw people in and foster a warm, welcoming atmosphere.Business-as-Mission Hubs
Establish Adventist-run cafés, bookshops, or community spaces in market towns. These neutral venues could host Bible discussions, children’s storytelling, music evenings, and workshops on careers, family life, financial education, and wellbeing.Trade and Skills Outreach
Encourage Adventist professionals - teachers, nurses, tradespeople, IT technicians, and others - to view their everyday work as mission. By offering reliable services and building genuine friendships, they can open natural doors for deeper spiritual conversations.Seasonal Marketplace Presence
Participate in Christmas markets, harvest fairs, and summer festivals with stalls featuring healthy food, Christian literature, and crafts with uplifting messages. Donating proceeds to local charities would help build goodwill and trust, while strengthening the church’s reputation within the community.Follow-Up and Discipleship
Collect contact details from those who express interest and invite them to small group Bible studies in homes or community centres. Over time, these groups could grow into the first Adventist congregation in Northumberland - potentially within three to five years.
A Vision for Lasting Impact
Marketplace Evangelism is not a one-off initiative but a long-term, relationship-centred mission strategy. By meeting people in their daily environments, Adventists can offer practical help, build trust, and share the hope of the gospel in ways that are both authentic and relevant.
For Northumberland - with its rural charm, close-knit communities, and strong sense of heritage - this approach could provide the bridge needed to establish a meaningful and enduring Adventist presence where none currently exists.
Scripture reminds us:
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” — 1 Corinthians 3:6
On Sunday 27 July, The Oreliaires, a youth male singing group from South Shields Seventh-day Adventist Church in Tyne and Wear, travelled to Choppington in Northumberland to share a programme of uplifting songs with residents at Wansbeck Care Home.
The Oreliaires, based in South Tyneside, have recently extended their ministry into neighbouring Northumberland, a county with no established Seventh-day Adventist presence. Earlier in the year, on 27 April, the Samwinga Brothers (three members of The Oreliaires) visited Blue Bell Manor in Morpeth, where they brought encouragement and hope through music. Relatives of the residents were also present and warmly received the songs, with some joining in when familiar tunes were sung. One family member was so moved that they exchanged contact details with the Samwinga Brothers, inviting them to sing at a future event.
A County Without an Adventist Presence
Northumberland, established in the 12th century, is England’s most northerly county. It borders Scotland to the north, the North Sea to the east, Cumbria to the west, and Tyne and Wear and County Durham to the south. Its largest settlement is Blyth, while Morpeth serves as the administrative centre.
Despite covering 5,013 km² (1,936 sq mi), Northumberland has a relatively small population of just over 320,000, making it the least densely populated county in England. The southeast contains the largest towns - Blyth, Cramlington, Ashington, Bedlington, and Morpeth - while much of the county remains rural, dotted with historic market towns such as Berwick-upon-Tweed in the north and Hexham in the southwest.
The county’s history has been shaped by its borderland position. During Roman times, much of it lay north of Hadrian’s Wall, and for centuries it was contested between England and Scotland. Today, its heritage is still visible through castles, peel towers, and fortifications. Northumberland also has deep Christian roots, with Lindisfarne (Holy Island) playing a central role in the spread of Celtic Christianity.
Northumberland is also celebrated for its natural beauty, home to Northumberland National Park and two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: the Northumberland Coast and part of the North Pennines. According to the 2001 Census, 81% of residents identified as Christian, 0.8% with another faith, and 12% reported no religion. Ethnic diversity remains limited, with less than 1% of the population belonging to minority groups (compared to 9.1% nationally).
How Can the Adventist Church Evangelise in Northumberland?
With no Adventist congregations currently established, Northumberland represents a mission frontier. Its scattered rural communities, historic towns, and modest population density call for an approach that is flexible, relational, and sustainable.
One promising method is Marketplace Evangelism - a model that brings the church into the heart of everyday community life through practical service, professional engagement, and personal witness. Instead of waiting for people to enter church buildings, believers can meet them in natural gathering spaces such as markets, fairs, high streets, and festivals.
Marketplace Evangelism: An Action Plan for Northumberland
Community Needs Assessment
Carry out informal surveys and conversations at markets, fairs, and public events to identify pressing needs such as health support, youth activities, financial education, or family workshops. Prioritise key towns including Blyth, Morpeth, Ashington, Cramlington, Bedlington, Hexham, and Berwick-upon-Tweed.Pop-up Ministry Points
Create mobile stalls offering free health checks, lifestyle advice, and uplifting literature. Live music from groups like The Oreliaires can help draw people in and foster a warm, welcoming atmosphere.Business-as-Mission Hubs
Establish Adventist-run cafés, bookshops, or community spaces in market towns. These neutral venues could host Bible discussions, children’s storytelling, music evenings, and workshops on careers, family life, financial education, and wellbeing.Trade and Skills Outreach
Encourage Adventist professionals - teachers, nurses, tradespeople, IT technicians, and others - to view their everyday work as mission. By offering reliable services and building genuine friendships, they can open natural doors for deeper spiritual conversations.Seasonal Marketplace Presence
Participate in Christmas markets, harvest fairs, and summer festivals with stalls featuring healthy food, Christian literature, and crafts with uplifting messages. Donating proceeds to local charities would help build goodwill and trust, while strengthening the church’s reputation within the community.Follow-Up and Discipleship
Collect contact details from those who express interest and invite them to small group Bible studies in homes or community centres. Over time, these groups could grow into the first Adventist congregation in Northumberland - potentially within three to five years.
A Vision for Lasting Impact
Marketplace Evangelism is not a one-off initiative but a long-term, relationship-centred mission strategy. By meeting people in their daily environments, Adventists can offer practical help, build trust, and share the hope of the gospel in ways that are both authentic and relevant.
For Northumberland - with its rural charm, close-knit communities, and strong sense of heritage - this approach could provide the bridge needed to establish a meaningful and enduring Adventist presence where none currently exists.
Scripture reminds us:
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” — 1 Corinthians 3:6
