NEWS 2005

Easter

This year's preacher was the Rev David S Carmichael of Lesmahagow, Scotland. From Friday 25th to Sunday 27th March, he gave a forthright presentation of the Gospel, with special reference to departures from Biblical truth within contemporary evangelicalism. We are grateful for his challenging messages and for his encouragement to hold firmly to the fundamentals of the faith.

An Acknowledgement of Gratitude

15th March 2005

Since the departure of Gareth Lloyd, we have had much cause to be grateful to God. After just a few weeks, preachers had been found for most of the remaining Sundays of 2004, and after a few months, for the rest of 2004 and the whole of 2005. Under God, many men have kindly put themselves out in order to help us maintain the preaching of the Word on the Lord's Day, and some have also ministered to us in our mid-week meetings. We have been variously challenged, rebuked, thrilled and strengthened by the ministry of these men, and we trust that the same will continue to be the case right up to the time when the Lord sees fit to give us a minister of our own once again. And in all this we have been helped to worship and serve our glorious God.

The following men have already preached to us, some more than once (listed in chronological order):

Stephen Jarvis; Alan Watkins; Tim Wells; Evan Richards; David George; Ron Clarke; Washington Were; Roy Hamilton; Gary McKee; Malcolm Jones; Jeremy Bailey; Sulwyn Jones; Stephen Darby; Jeff Gilbert; Vincent Tracey; Tom McKendry; David Jones; Owen Griffiths; Andy Christofides; Gwynn Williams; John Legg; Owen Blackwood; Noel Gibbard; Dennis Jenkins; Andrew Wigham; Alun Higham; Neville Rees; Derek Rhapps  

God willing, we are expecting the following to preach to us (again in chronological order):

Irfon Hughes; David Carmichael; David Finnie; Derek Swann; John Cook; Russell Williams; Neil Evans; Paul Crowe; Gwilym Roberts; Ifan Mason Davies; John Woolley; Eryl Davies; Tim Curnow; Bill Lollar; Alun McNabb; Peter Reynolds; Oliver Gross; John Hall; Alan Levy; Yona Mwampulo; Richard Wigham; Philip Eveson; Dewi Higham; Stuart Olyott; Paul Whiteley; Gareth Edwards; Graham Harrison; Owen Jones

We are especially indebted to some very close friends among these men, who have continually helped us at short notice, given us much wise counsel, and prayed constantly for us. (We are grateful, too, for the many others near and far who have prayed for us during these months.) Several could be named, but particular mention must be made of the Rev David George of Maesycwmmer, who graciously agreed to moderate in our church meetings, and has frequently met with the elders to guide and advise. 

We are truly thankful to all these men, but pre-eminently to our Saviour, the Lord of the Church. It is to the Lord Jesus we are looking for blessing now and for a new minister in His good time. Soli Deo gloria!

Welsh Evening

On Friday 4^th March, our former minister, Rev Sulwyn Jones, addressed us on Christmas Evans (1766-1838), the famous Welsh preacher. A remarkable and idiosyncratic individual, from a difficult and unhappy childhood he became one of the best known men in Wales, greatly respected by fellow ministers of various denominations and often referred to as ‘the Welsh Bunyan’. Beginning as a Calvinistic Methodist (‘Welsh Presbyterian’), he became a Baptist in 1788. With four pastorates spanning the years 1789 until his death, his life and ministry spanned a remarkable period in Welsh church history. There were times of hard labour and little fruit, but also times of rich blessing and great revival from God. We were also reminded of Evans’ temporary infatuation with the error of Sandemanianism, which eventually brought him to a state where ‘To a very great degree had I lost the spirit of prayer, and the spirit of preaching.’ God mercifully restored him, and soon his ministry knew great fruitfulness once again.

A very enlightening and profitable evening was closed with our customary Welshcakes, Bara Brith, etc.

For further information about Christmas Evans online, see, for example, http://www.siteone.com/religion/baptist/baptistpage/Portraits/evans.htm and http://www.puritansermons.com/pdf/evans.pdf

New Year Preaching Service

On Saturday 1^st January, Rev Gwynn Williams, Cardiff , once again prepared us for another year of serving the Saviour. Preaching on Matthew 9.36-38, he drew our attention to the need for ‘bringing in the harvest’. Long summer holidays spent on a family farm as a teenager enabled him to speak with vivid force on the requirements and the possible dangers of harvesting. All present were very encouraged, and challenged to give themselves, under God, to bringing in the harvest during this present year. May God be pleased to prosper our labour for His glory.

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