In Depth:  Evangelical Movement of Wales

Welsh Christians have been engaged in an evangelistic campaign at Llŷn and Eifionydd National Eisteddfod, the largest cultural festival in Europe.

Team Leader Gwydion Lewis said: ‘The field has been full every day and many people call into the tent for a chat and a cup of tea.’

Welsh evangelicals have started a new phase of theological training, bringing fresh life to a well-known Christian conference centre.

The Evangelical Movement of Wales (EMW) centre, Bryn-y-groes, Bala, North Wales, has welcomed its first post-lockdown group in the form of the EM Theological Training Course.

News from the Eisteddfod Mission during August always shows that an eclectic group of people are reached by the missioners who speak to Welsh and English-speaking festival goers.

This year was no exception. The first day included a couple who had belonged to a sect. On the second day, a person said that after death she would return as a cat or dog. As with most times of mission, there can be the feeling that one is trying to sell umbrellas to people who are living in a dry desert. Most people just don’t see their need of Christ. In fact many people answering the question ‘describe your life in three words’, used happy and contented in their responses.

The Welsh National Eisteddfod held in the first week of August in Cardiff gave an opportunity for Christian mission by the Evangelical Movement of Wales.

Footfall past the stand in Cardiff was heavy, and good conversations were had each day. As part of a questionnaire pass-ers-by could fill in, people were asked to rate four sentences from 1-10:

Bethesda Evangelical Church (Hay-on-Wye) and EMW, with Show Jesus, an evangelistic enterprise, supporting, spent four days seeking to share the wonderful news of Jesus and his love with folk attending the International Hay-on-Wye Literature Festival in late May.

Following the theme – ‘LIFE - what’s your question?’ the gospel was shared through artistic skills including pottery, storytelling, poetry and through preaching. Michael Ots spoke on suffering linked to the tragic Manchester bombing. Local author and church member Ollie Balch led a guided tour around Hay.