2-9 July saw the 17th annual Revival Conference at Bryntirion, Bridgend. The main speakers were Geoff Thomas (pictured) and Phil Hill, who shared the six well-attended evening preaching meetings.
The latter dealt with the suddenness and unexpected nature of revival as illustrated from Jonah, how God can bless a mere remnant (Ezra) and importunate praying (Genesis 32.26).
Geoff Thomas preached on ‘Jesus: Prophet, Priest and King’. He also preached on experiential passages from 2 Timothy each morning, leading to times of corporate prayer. Phil Hill’s four lectures introduced us to ‘Baptist Noel’, the history of the Baptist Revival Fellowship, Dr Lloyd-Jones and post-war Baptist life in Wales and Union’s work in Wales.
Gwyn Davies gave a ‘warts and all’ focus on Christmas Evans before leading a visit to a nearby, sadly now closed, Calvinistic Methodist chapel that knew blessing in three centuries. The focus on God’s blessing elsewhere took us to rural Kenya (Judy Luhombo), West Bengal (Dave Norbury) and Manipur (Gareth Edwards).
It was a full, even tiring week, but a true feast. Guests filled all but two of the available rooms in Bryntirion, giving us day-time numbers of just over 30. In the evening numbers more than doubled.
God willing, there will be another conference next year (1-8 July).
