Exploding

How we build the website - Updated

The challenge was to build a suitable website for a local Church using only free software.

With the move toward mobile interneting well on the way we updated the site in January 2012 using the free "getskeleton" framework and were inspired by the excelled "super skeleton" theme from wordpress, especially their design of the "superfish" menu.

The tools of choice for this project are Ubuntu (Linux) as an operating system, Bluefish 1.0.7 which is an open source programme. Bluefish is an editor for experienced web designers and programmers, that however does not describe me. It supports many programming and markup languages, but focuses on editing dynamic and interactive websites. Bluefish is an open source development project, released under the GPL license. For more information, visit the Bluefish Website at http://bluefish.openoffice.nl.

For graphics etc. I have opted for the GIMP http://www.gimp.org. Again this is open source and is remarkably like PaintShop.Pro and Photoshop. If you are thinking about trying out either of these programmes you can access them from the links included.

The main theme of the site is to allow the user to listen to sermons and sermonettes as easily as possible and while it was easy to set this up using the menu system, which could also be updated as an independent inc file. It was noted that the menu would not immediately stream in MS Explorer but would try to download the mp3 file before playing. This was an unacceptable situation and a work around was needed. The menu system works correctly in Firefox and we would recommend Firefox as the browser of choice.

The way around the problem was to include a free flash player which could be auto loaded with the play list and also includes a resume facility should the user move to a different link within the site.

It ability to include video sermons, bible studies and short topical messaged via Youtube open up a new avenue for proclaiming the Gospel Message. To prepare we use Flowblade to edit and compile footage.

We hope you enjoy the site and any comments are welcome.

Craigavon Church - Speakers

• Billy Boyd
• William Huston
• Morris McCabe
• Gus Roycroft
• Contact Us

• Billy Boyd

  
  
  Billy Boyd is a gifted teacher, and long-time student of scripture, along with his wife Margaret he attends Welcome Church of God Northern Ireland were they play an active role.

• William Huston

  
  
  William Huston, is an ordained preaching elder and lives with his wife Elsa in Co Antrim.

• Morris McCabe

  
  
  Morris has been a Christian speaker for over 40 years within churches across the widest and breadth of Ireland North and South.
  
  As a gifted evangelist Morris teaches as inspired by the Holy Spirit and is uniquely able to ingratiate himself into any group setting, quickly finding opportunity to proclaiming the wonderful message of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

• Gus Roycroft

  
  It is with great sadness and regret that we announce the death of Gus who had been the main minster to the Craigavon Church since it started in 1990.
  
  Gus had been gifted with a true pastors heart towards the church congregation and regularly engaged within the caring ministries of the church, such as visiting the sick and maintaining contact with many who have been imprisoned for Christ across the world. He will be greatly missed.

• Contact Us?

  Contact us by email at wandrews@explodingword.co.uk
  • Mobile Telephone - 074 3402 0657
  • write directly to:-
  
  
  • William Andrews
  • 17 Corkhill Road
  • Seskinore
  • Omagh Co Tyrone
  • BT78 2PW