DR MARTYN LLOYD-JONES AND
EVANGELICALS IN WALES:
Bala ministers’ conference 1955-2014
By D.Eryl Davies
Bryntirion Press / Evangelical Press.
442 pages. £11.99
ISBN 978 1 783 970 568
This book focuses on Dr Lloyd-Jones’s influence on Welsh pastors, and hence on evangelicalism in Wales, particularly through his regular attendance at their annual conference which, having begun in 1955, met regularly from 1962 in Bala and continues to do so.
Over the years a number of pastors from other parts of the UK have attended the conference regularly, thus extending its influence more widely. Only very rarely did Lloyd-Jones miss a conference. Clearly it was a priority for him, reflecting both his love of Wales and his desire to do everything possible to encourage his fellow preachers, not least the younger men. Normally he would give the closing address and chair the evening discussions. Equally important, no doubt, was his personal interaction with small groups and individuals and the strong relationships that he thus forged with them.
The opening chapters paint in the background from the beginning of his ministry at Sandfields, Aberavon in 1927.
One of the striking things is the important part played in the ’40s and ’50s by evangelical students both in the university CUs and in evangelistic campaigns. The following chapters, occupying nearly half the book, provide brief summaries of, and comments on, the 59 conferences held between 1959 and 2014. Many of the comments have been contributed by men who attended the conferences. Much of these chapters is written in only a little more than note form. Further chapters provide an assessment of the conferences and of Lloyd-Jones’s ministry, its influence, character and emphases. Two final chapters deal helpfully and in more depth with the relationship between God’s word and the Holy Spirit. Appendices consist of notes of LLoyd-Jones’s addresses taken at the time.
Unsurprisingly the over-riding emphasis of the book is revival – examples from the past and our great need of it today. A friend, long resident in Wales, expressed surprise that an Englishman had been asked to write this review. Perhaps one reason could be that revival is too little emphasised this side of the border! This very readable book provides not only a valuable record of one part of modern church history in these islands, but also a wake-up call to plead with God for a fresh powerful work of his Spirit.
