Amanda Robbie writes: A refreshing, a reunion, a rejoicing. So many good things can be said about last week’s Word Alive event ‘Back Together Around the Word’. A crowd of almost 4,500 gathered at Pontins in Prestatyn after a three-year gap, thanks to the hard work of Nigel Beynon and Tom Roberts and the organising team, and of course, the grace of God.
Our family geared ourselves up with jumpers and shorts, raincoats and swimming kit, a slow cooker and a memory-foam mattress topper. We stuffed the car and entrusted the dog to kind carers and made our way to Wales to face all kinds of weather and the joyous sight of Christians getting together to learn from the Lord and one another.
The main Bible readings from Conrad Mbewe of Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka covered 2 Peter and were heartwarming and heart challenging in equal measure. Evening celebrations centred on encounters with Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel. We especially enjoyed the energy in the later sittings, with so many students in attendance. Our 17-year-old son stayed out late at the beach with friends discussing their sessions in 2 Peter and Proverbs, and delighting in simply being on holiday with other teens after so long. There were about 200 in his 14–18 age group.
Seminar topics included a Bible overview, evangelism, sexuality, the church, grief, heaven, mental health, doubt, green issues, and parenting. I was helped by Karen Soole’s excellent sessions on how the Bible exalts and dignifies women. And we were affirmed as Jason Roach taught about global mission at home, discussing the importance of hospitality in local churches seeking to reach across cultures.
For us, one of the special joys of Word Alive is catching up with old friends, but also chatting with strangers in queues, hearing about all the Lord is doing through the nation – and further afield. We were glad to get back to our own beds on Maundy Thursday, but our hearts are refreshed and rejoicing after a great reunion of God’s people.
