Lisa Barr
Lisa has a dual role at the Evangelical Alliance as the Northern Ireland administrator and Both Lives research and communications assistant. She has a degree in Law and holds a Masters in Children's Rights. It was there that she discovered a love for justice and advocacy and began to explore what it means to pursue this wholeheartedly. Lisa is married to Jordan and lives in Newtownabbey.
Three reasons why prayer must be at the heart of our response to abortion
8 October 2025During the gathering, we prayed into four key areas: the wider situation across society and government; young people grappling with this complex issue amidst the noise of social media; those in our churches who have been personally impacted by abortion; and church leaders, as they seek to engage with this issue with sensitivity, wisdom and pastoral care. As we gathered to listen, learn and pray, I was reminded why it is vital to bring this issue before God. Abortion is not simply a political…
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Sophie's story: pre-eclampsia
4 August 2025How and when did you find out that you had pre-eclampsia? I had a routine check-up with the doctor, and they noticed that I had high blood pressure and was carrying fluid. I was around five months pregnant, and they said, “We will keep a close eye on it.” A few weeks later, I went in for my 32-week check, and my blood pressure was quite high. The doctor recommended complete bed rest, so I was admitted to the hospital at 32 weeks. I did not realise how serious it was because I felt completely…
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From tolerated to celebrated: how we can include children in our services
15 July 2025I was intrigued. This wasn’t a typical Sunday morning; I was conducting research for my master’s degree into children’s voices in the church. Towards the end of the focus group, I asked a five-year-old boy about the sad faces. He confidently told me, “Those are the people in grown-up church. I think they’re sad because church is more fun in our bit.”
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Faith and fatherhood in my blended family
10 June 2025Tell us about your journey into fatherhood. When I met my wife, Ellie, some friends were hesitant because she had a child, but that wasn’t a deterrent for me. After our first date I called my mum and said, “I’ve met this amazing girl, but it’s not a typical story – there’s a four-year-old boy involved.” Her response stuck with me: “Everyone has a story. You’d be a great dad to him.” From the start, I was thinking about my role, not just in Ellie’s life but in Luca’s too. I remember the first…
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Spotlight: our Northern Ireland team
1 April 2024Meet the team We are based in Belfast and our team consists of David Smyth, head of Evangelical Alliance Northern Ireland, Danielle McElhinney, our public policy officer, myself, and our newest team member Laura Coey, our church engagement co-ordinator. Dawn McAvoy, Both Lives UK lead is also based in the Belfast office. Highlights Here is a snapshot of what we got up to in 2023: 1 Changes to the team In June, we said a bittersweet farewell to Donna Jennings, our church and mission…
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Both Lives: The UK parliament conducts an inquiry into birth trauma
14 March 2024The Inquiry: Birth trauma is a multifaceted issue encompassing the physical, emotional, and psychological distress experienced by mothers (and their partners) and babies during childbirth. It can occur due to various factors, including prolonged labour, medical interventions such as forceps or vacuum extraction, emergency caesarean sections, or complications during delivery. Birth trauma is a subject often shrouded in silence and misconception and is often overlooked or dismissed. On 9 January…
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"So, what do you do for work?": a team member's perspective on being pro-both
1 September 2023It's a question I've learned to slightly dread. I'm Lisa, the Both Lives research and communications assistant. It's a privilege to speak up for women and their unborn babies, but that doesn't mean it's always straightforward. Beyond the supportive environment in the office, navigating an increasingly polarised landscape comes with its challenges. My usual enthusiasm for championing both lives is often dampened by negative reactions. My response of, "I work for a pro-both organisation," is…
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