Baptists in Wales celebrate 150 years 

Baptists from all corners of Wales gathered in Carmarthen for a special day of celebration to mark 150 years since the formation of the Baptist Union of Wales (BUW)

Taking place in the University of Wales, Trinity St. David on Saturday (17 June) the event was full to capacity with around 450 people in attendance, including more than 80 children and young people.

The BUW is a union of Associations working across the breadth of Wales among some 400 churches serving both Welsh and English speaking communities, and the event brought together Welsh and non-Welsh speakers of all ages.
 
The day began with bi-lingual all-age worship, followed by a number of seminar options with guest speakers John and Olive Drane, Nigel Wright, Roy Jenkins, David Kerrigan and Stephen Martin. A number of Welsh language seminars were held so that people could participate in their heart language.

A special presentation from the Bible Society and Dai Woolridge was performed, reminding delegates of their Welsh heritage as a missionary nation in years gone by, weaved together with the rich Welsh hymns sung by Cath Woolridge and Sound of Wales. Concert pianist, Aija Kim, played a wonderful reflective piece on Psalm 150 as delegates remembered the legacy of Wales to Korean Christians.
 
On a boiling hot day the water pistol used by Martyn Geraint, a well-known Welsh language children’s presenter and Christian, helped to cool people down in the family worship time and the special birthday cake was happily shared among delegates, not to mention the free ice creams.
 
Speaking after the event Judith Morris, BUW General Secretary, said ‘Our aim for today has been to celebrate with Baptists from across Wales and provide an opportunity for all ages to share in this significant occasion. We are delighted with the response and grateful to all those who have contributed to make this a day to remember.’



Former BUW General Secretary Peter Thomas and BMS General Director David Kerrigan