The Reformation and Revival Conference in Derbyshire, 14–16 November, was one of close fellowship, times of prayer together and good expositional preaching, the hallmarks of this annual conference.
Simon Clarke from Shepshed opened the conference with an encouraging and challenging message from Luke 11.13. His theme was the vital necessity and glorious promise of the giving of the Holy Spirit by our heavenly father to those who ask. The word was refreshing and motivating as we face the days in which we are living. How we need to be asking for the Spirit.
Standing alone for God
Rupert Bentley-Taylor, who is planting a new church in a working class and immigrant area of Bath, shared preaching that encouraged and challenged all with three men who stood alone for God in difficult days – Noah, Micaiah, and Paul from 2 Timothy 4. The Word of God was sufficient to sustain and inspire those men and so it is for our day.
The third speaker was Ian Parry. Ian had been leading a church plant in Cardiff for a number of years, but has taken up the role of director of the European Missionary Fellowship. He spoke movingly and powerfully on Jonah. God had to deal with Jonah. The prophet had a mission to fulfil, but needed the Lord to work in him as well. In particular, the unresolved questions and tensions that arise at the close of the book were brought to our attention. A fifth chapter has to be written, and God must do that in each of our lives.
In 2017 the conference will look at aspects of the Reformation and the Revds Ian D. Campbell and Andrew Davies will speak. The dates are 20–22 November 2017.
