From 16 July – 5 August the Keswick Convention took ‘packed out’ to a new level, with around 15,000 people attending across the weeks alongside youth work catering for 2,500 where the 3–11’s programme alone increased by 50% from last year.
An additional fourth relay venue was added this year and live streaming of events was also possible on YouTube. This saw people as far as Canada and Australia tuning in.
What were they hearing?
Space only allows for a brief overview. Starting with pornography. Not a topic much discussed in Christian circles, but a topic tackled by Andre Adefope from Visible Ministries as part of a series on Christ-like relationships. André has an interest in the area of dating, singleness and relationships and applying God’s Word to these often complicated issues.
Dave Landrum, Director of Advocacy, Evangelical Alliance, and his team gave some fantastic lectures on the Christian’s need to get involved in public life, standing up for their religious rights and engaging in politics. He introduced Speak Up, a new resource from the Evangelical Alliance and the Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship (see p.24).
Steve Brady, Principal at Moorlands College, led a week’s Morning Bible Readings on the Book of Revelation. He challenged people to go deep into the Word, reminding folk that Jesus ‘has vanquished death’ – deeply thought-provoking and encouraging.
Jeremy McQuoid, Teaching Pastor at Deeside Christian Fellowship in Aberdeen, launched into his evening celebration sermon with a strong message about sin. Many were reminded of preachers of the past until his word for the visitors triumphed on the grace of God!
Rico Tice, from All Souls, Langham Place, opened with a strong and compelling message on 1 Peter 1: ‘What does holiness look like?’ Christians should stop defining who they are by their past but do so in light of where they are going! On a middle Sunday, Rico spoke about our cardiology problem of idols, where good things become God things. He challenged listeners to reflect on what our daydreams – or our nightmares – are about. Using Psalm 119, the listener was called to delight in and love God’s commands. It’s difficult to ignore a message when the messenger is so honest and revealing. This linked well to the new Life Explored resource, just launched, where exposing the heart is one of the purposes. (see p. 24)
Further seminars looked at how the Bible fits together, developing a Christ-like church, and one with Emma Scrivener, author of A New Name, on grace and healing for anorexia.
The conventioners were also able to raise around £3,000 for the Fitz Park Flood Recovery Fund. This fund was set up to aid the refurbishment of the parks in Keswick, a great way to stand with the people of Keswick.
Keswick Ministries launched its Share the Future campaign for the Derwent Project, the move to the Keswick Pencil Factory site, the build of a 400-seater conference centre and expansion of the Convention from a 3,000-seater to a 4,000-seater on an integrated site for year-round teaching.
