Matters of Faith

Ears accustomed to preacher Ronnie McBrayer’s southern drawl, perk up at the new sound of Niall Scally’s lilting Irish brogue.  2012 brings a new minister to A Simple Faith church.

Scally’s inspiring story illustrates the mysterious way God works fulfilling his plans and purposes in each individual life. 

Scally’s Irish mother had a saying, “What is for you — will not pass you.” Growing up near Dublin, Ireland, as one of eight children in a lower middle-class family, Scally dreamed of opportunities in America but couldn’t afford the travel expenses.  He left school at 16 and was studying as a woodworker’s apprentice, when winning an American green card in a lottery changed everything.  In 1992 he landed in the Atlanta airport, alone at age 19, with only a suitcase and $60. 

Shortly after he met his future wife Christy. They married within the year, and within two years Scally ascended to vice-president of a manufacturing company. 

“Quite a change for someone growing up milking cows to having ownership in a Citation airplane,” says Scally. 

He came in pursuit of the American dream, but discovered so much more.  He learned a valuable spiritual lesson that nothing takes the place of a relationship with a loving God. The money and prosperity didn’t bring the happiness and contentment he expected. 

“I never would have believed it if someone had told me, I had to experience it myself firsthand. Now I relate to and really love what Paul says in Philipians 3:8 “yes everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ for His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.”

And then he happens upon A Simple Faith Church in a most serendipitous way.

“I was looking at a nearby business for purchase when I noticed the church sign,” Scally shares.  “Christy and I immediately felt at home.  Before and after the service, it reminds me of a noisy Irish clan with lots of hugs, laughter, and jovial conversation like everyone loves being there. Our family also likes the informality where people wear jeans if they want.  I like that you can hear a message, but no one dictates what you should believe.  Nobody mentions building expansion, pledge campaigns, or winning converts. The name says it all. The worship service is simplified to what is truly important, which is mirroring the ministry of Jesus Christ. It seemed like a natural fit when they asked me to replace Ronnie’s position after he moved back to Georgia where he continues a ministry and writing books while caring for elderly parents. ”

The congregation feels blessed to have someone with so many God-given talents who also served as a minister in Atlanta. 

Ronnie W. Stanley, professor of Speech Communication at Northwest Florida State College praises Scally in a reference letter for the National Speakers Association: “As a speaker, he is able to captivate an audience like few others. He accomplishes this not only with his strong delivery skills, but more so with the powerful and comprehensive message that he is capable of developing.  You hear his message and you feel transformed.”  

Scally believes being a pastor is a humbling experience, that he is only an instrument and servant to others.  He says, “This is a safe healing place to worship where all are included like Christ demonstrated when he reached out to the outcasts and sinners of all varieties. We are all on the same journey and we honor wherever a person is on that journey. My desire is to inspire hope and motivate courage.  I also love to use humor as laughter heals.” 

This busy family tries to apply spiritual principles to every day living experiences: Christy as a mother and director of the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center, and Niall as father and director of a local bank, and other business ventures. Children Cullan and Katie both participate in the service. Cullan reads scriptures and daughter Katie works the screen projector.  All the while, Sean Dietrich and other church members use their talents making glorious music.  

A Simple Faith meets every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. next to the Publix in Watercolor.  All are welcome, so please join in. 

“A Simple Faith may just be the kind of faith you’re looking for,” Scally said. 

For other information contact: nscally27@aol.com