Keswick Convention 2010
August 15th, 2010
Riaz Mohammed (Newton Mearns)
The theme for this year’s Convention was “Christ – Centred renewal”. As David Bradley, General Director, put it – “Keswick Convention is a wonderful place to ‘recharge your spiritual batteries. Meeting together with christians of many different backgrounds and denominations as ‘ All one in Christ Jesus’ emphasises our unity and reminds us that we need the fellowship of others as we learn and worship together”. The Conference runs over three weeks and I was able to visit during week three only (31 July- 6 Aug). It was wonderful to hear Alistair Begg, Senior Minister of Parkside Church, Clevland, Ohio, give a masterful exposition on Romans Chapter 8 at the Morning Bible Readings. He put flesh on the statement “this well known chapter provides a vantage point from which to view the panorama of God’s purposes for his children. Here we find our present sufferings set in the context of a hope that stands the test of time. Here our weaknesses and our disappointments are seen in light of God’s eternal purposes to make us like Jesus”.
There were other exceptionallly good speakers in the evening worship sessions including Simon Downham, Vicar of St Pauls, Hammersmith, West London. Jeremy McQuoid, Teaching Pastor at Deeside Christian Fellowship as well as the “regular” presenters such as Steve Brady, Principle of Moorlands College, Peter Maiden, International Director of the Operation Mobilisation and Jonathan Lamb, Director of Langham Preaching for Langham Partnership International.
The evening worship and Praise was led by Stuart Townend ably assisted by the Phatfish Band.
There were many other activities including Earthworks Mission Exhibitors which included such well known organisations as OMF International UK, Scripture Union, Tearfund, Christians Against Poverty and many more.
Prayer also formed a major activity at the Convention and this was supplimented by practical action, such as the Conference raising £25,000 in one night for Tear Fund to assist the flood victims in Pakistan.
It is not possible to describe the full activities that take place at the Convention. For example, there were activities for Kids and Young people as well as those with disability which I was not able to give time to.
Perhaps the reader should look at the website for more information at www.keswickministries.org or perhaps better still consider going next year to one (or more) weeks of the Convention which runs from 16th July 2011 to the 5th of August 2011.
Unlike many other Conventions there is no “booking fee” even though the expense for 1 week runs to about £70 per person! The organisers of the Convention look to God and the generosity of His people to meet the financial need – faith in Action or what?
