Day 120: Praying for northwest Wales (1993)

Join with Salvationists of the Wales Division for day 120 of 150 days of prayer.

• 'I cried to the Lord to help me in my trouble. He answered me' (Psalm 120:1, EasyEnglish Bible). 

1993

In 1993, three years had passed since officers were appointed to the northwest Wales area with a remit to establish a worshipping Salvation Army community. A great deal of groundwork had been done by previous officers which had helped to build up community links and so it was in 1990 that they received that divine nudge to ‘get things started’.  If they were going to step out in faith then it was to be done in big style!

Arrangements were made for a spectacular launch – the International Staff Songsters were invited for the weekend which included a civic reception, a festival in Bangor Cathedral, a united church service at Bangor University alongside an afternoon gathering at the National Trust Penrhyn Castle for 100 personally invited guests. The whole weekend proved to be a resounding success. The following Sunday, worship meetings were commenced in the community centre in the village that was dominated by the county hospital, Ysbyty Gwynedd.

That first Sunday of Gwynedd corps saw them with no music and no idea if and who would attend. They didn’t get the hundreds of attendees that they had seen the previous week – rather 13 brave, uncertain unchurched people attended. 

True, some thought it would be similar to the events of the previous week, which it wasn’t, but they were delighted with those who came, hoping that they could build on this sign of rewarded faith. Fourteen people came the following week (three of the initial attendees never returned) and gradually, by simple word of mouth and printed invitations to share on special occasions, the fellowship grew, many of whom travelled many miles to attend.

Over the next three years Sunday worship was established, commitments were made and, despite distances, weekday events were requested – a Bible Study, a ladies fellowship and, of course, activities for the children. As the fellowship grew (approximately 30-40) so did its impact on the area – neighbours started attending, not as a result of encouragement by the officer but by those who regularly attended asking friends and family to join them in this new, exciting venture! 

In 1993, having been in the appointment for six years, it was time for the officers to move on.  Preparations were made for the fellowship to continue to grow under new leadership, but for the pioneering officers what a joy and privilege it was to consider the way in which everything came into place, alongside the individuals who committed themselves to this new corps, demonstrating and recognising that by stepping out in faith the Kingdom grows!

Prayer

• Thank God that The Salvation Army is still blessing northwest Wales in these days.