This year sees the launch of the Keswick Fellowship.
It is an initiative to consolidate the links between Bible Conventions across the UK and around the world.
By WWI, Keswick Conventions were being held in scores of centres across the UK and links were also made across the globe, so much so that the word ‘movement’ began to be used early on to describe the growing impact of the ministry. Whether in the huge cities of Japan, the coastal towns of Trinidad, or the Blue Mountains of Australia, events began to spring up which gained their inspiration from the Keswick movement.
Halifax Metro Keswick
In 1954, Dennis Andrews was converted at Keswick under the ministry of George Duncan. The message that evening was ‘The summons of love’ from the Song of Songs, and Dennis committed his life to Christ. Just a few years later, on the maiden voyage of the RMS Saxonia, he left for Canada and began a life of service there as an Anglican minister. It was 41 years ago when he and others established some Christian renewal meetings from which the Halifax Metro Keswick emerged. Dennis was at this year’s event, faithfully and prayerfully attending every gathering.
The Halifax Metro Keswick is almost unique in drawing together evangelicals from across the denominations year by year. Its Council has been made up of believers from 15 different church backgrounds, and it has gained the reputation of being a Christ-centred festival in the capital of Canada’s Nova Scotian province.
Standing against the tide
It has retained a strong association with the UK, having welcomed many British speakers over the years, but its significance today remains in its commitment to teaching the Word of God and calling people to Christ-likeness. And this is needed more than ever. The evangelical community in Nova Scotia is facing growing liberal trends in the churches. The response to the decline of evangelical commitment within the Anglican church (with the formation of Anglican Network) is strong in British Columbia, but less so in Nova Scotia, and the commitment to Scripture – to its cen-trality in church life and Christian disciple-ship – seems to be in decline. So it is wonderful that the Halifax Metro Keswick is retaining its ministry, attracting hundreds each day from across the churches. ‘Keswick helps people centre around Christ, and to live according to his Word and example,’ said the chairman, Dick Charlton.
It now joins the family of events which make up the Keswick Fellowship, a supportive network for prayer with a shared commitment to strengthen the vision worldwide. By God’s grace, the launch of the Keswick Fellowship will continue to provide a global platform for the proclamation of God’s Word, the life-transforming ministry of God’s Spirit, and the call to wholehearted commitment to God’s Son.
