Wednesday December 16, 2009
So the big moment came today about 9:15 a.m. The two great leaders of the Welsh Baptist denomination, Peter and Mark, came to visit us at Capel Gomer. Everyone was standing tiptoe on pins and needles, except for Derek who seemed like he was rolling around in a vat of pins and needles. Would they like the work we had done? Would they see the vision that Derek had cast for us and that we had followed with such initiative and creativity? And would they officially approve of the idea of us removing the oaken pews?
Derek and Allen greeted the men on the sidewalk as the Worship Center crew quickly cleared the last items from the stage. Allen led the men on a tour, first of the outside and the foyer, then of the Worship Center, and finally of the bathrooms, kitchen, and the Vestry or “Upper Room”. In each area, they received a brief overview of what we had achieved, and then met the craftsmen who explained the fine details.
Peter’s and Mark’s demeanors quickly turned from politeness, to graciousness, to respect, to admiration, and finally to awe. A sweet humility flowed over them as they began to praise the workmanship and thank the workers. They marveled at the lighting system, they expressed delight at Buddy’s ability to begin resuscitation of the gas heater, and they became awestruck at the stage. They walked along examining the floor with smiles on their faces. They sat in the new padded chairs. And in a truly historical moment, Peter (a woodcraftsman himself) mounted a ladder and joined the construction crew, wielding and a hammer and a pair of pliers on the back wall, stage left. As they inspected the upper room, everyone poured in from their various workstations to see what the judgment might be.
By this point, the two men were almost too moved to speak. Both had been on the brink of tears a number of times. At last, Peter spoke. The speech, though impromptu, was amazingly polished. It was so eloquent that a summary cheapens it, but there were no tape recorders, so all we can do is reconstruct it as best we can.
He thanked us profusely for our investment in resources, time, talents, and spiritual gifts and that he was deeply honored to be with us this day (even though our crew of 24 crazy Americans felt that we were the ones honored that such important dignitaries would come visit us at our worksite). The Welsh Speaking Baptist churches, he said, were in a state of disheartenment. There had been no new such churches planted in Wales in 72 years. Capel Gomer was to be a new venture, a fresh breath that would perhaps lead to a second wind for the country. He said that he and Mark felt that our construction efforts were a confirmation from above that they had made the right choice in selecting Derek Rees to begin this great work, and that we could never know what an encouragement we were to them.
We applauded. Then at Caleb’s suggestion, we held hands in a circle as Derek led us in prayer. Peter and Mark chatted amicably with many of our crew, and we all went outside for pictures of them, our whole team, and those members of Capel Gomer who were present.
And what about the pews? Peter and Mark agreed wholeheartedly that the new chairs were a perfect match in their contemporary style. Derek could sell the pews! But that was just the beginning.
Peter and Mark wanted a plaque to be engraved in Welsh and placed in a position of prominence describing the contributions of Henderson Hills Baptist Church in Edmond, Oklahoma and the 24 Americans who served Capel Gomer on her behalf. And they wanted someone to document the achievements of the team on video (Dr. Randy Juengel volunteered to do so.) And they wanted to send reporters from the local newspaper to report the big news as a means of promoting Capel Gomer and its charismatic young pastor. And they wanted to partner with us on future ministries. And they wanted to make our work at Capel Gomer a focal point at the next National Baptist Assembly in order to encourage all the churches in Wales that God had not forgotten them, but was calling even people from across the ocean to aid and comfort and bless the brothers and sisters of Cymru – of Wales!
A “Crescendo” in music is when there is a gradual increase in force or effect, leading up to a climax. The visit of Peter and Mark was a Crescendo. It confirmed that God has anointed Derek and Capel Gomer for a great work. It reassured Allen that his calling to lead mission teams to Wales was not a mistake or a fluke. It crowned the high acheivements of our entire December Construction Mission. It gave us all a magnificent sense of relief and a delirious sense of joy.
Music is a metaphor for spiritual harmony. We have felt that spiritual harmony undergirding and flowing through all our actions here. It wasn’t necessary but it was sweet of God to give us such an obvious crescendo.
Tonight we celebrated by going to an upscale family owned Italian restaurant. But tomorrow is another working day. Pray that the music keeps flowing us along.
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