Worshiping across south Wales

Sunday is always one of my favorite days here in Swansea as we get to visit the churches and hear Derek preach. This trip, we were not able to go back to Capel Seion in the morning as they were having a special shared service with another nearby church, so we packed up and took a ride out to Carmel Pontllu and worshipped with about 25 members in a great little chapel, ornamented with candle holders (because it was built in the 1830s), a pipe organ, high preaching lecture and a deacon box (complete with 2 deacons). It was a wonderful service, conducted in both Welsh and English, on our behalf, with the most warm and welcoming congregation. After an excellent sermon on stewardship, sacrifice & service, the congregation held a tea for us in the vestry and we got to see a few of the kids from last Friday’s kids club. One of them, Ioin (pronounced “yo-ann” and is Welsh for “John”) had told us about his mother who had been injured when falling from a horse. We got to meet her and Ioin’s father, both of which - it turns out - had only become Christians within the last few years. We spotted a large display of photos of them being baptized (in a pit dug in the middle of the parking lot, actually), and I was reminded of how a salvation & baptism are such a huge event (a party!) for them…we’re missing out in that respect back in the Bible belt.

After a generous lunch of  Sunday grill at the Potters Wheel pub, we returned to Capel Gomer to convert our living quarters back into a church for the Sunday afternoon service. Derek has been teaching through Ecclesiastes and we were able to hear him preach on chapter 3 where the writer reminds us of our mortality, eternity and the eventual promise of God’s ransom. It’s always wonderful to hear Derek preach. He is a gifted communicator and speaks with wisdom, power and joy that is always an encouragement. After service, we walked (in the rain, imagine!) down to Costa and had a great conversation with Aled, Llyr, Huw and several other Capel Gomer members.

We then learned that another of Derek’s friends, Aron Treharne who pastors the Penvel Welsh Baptist church in Camarthen, was having a contemporary evening service and had invited us to attend. Even though we’d had a busy week and long day, our team was always up for another opportunity to minister, and this was no exception. We drove the 30-minutes to the town of Camarthen, and met Aron along with young Sam whom I’d had the chance to meet last summer at the Bala kids camp. After several rounds of around-the-world ping pong, Sam gave talk on Psalm 90and we worshipped together. We’d missed dinner but late night pizza is apparently a universal option.