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The Rev J Elwyn Davies, 1925-2007

Obituary

It is with sadness and a sense of loss that the Evangelical Movement of Wales (EMW) announces the death of the Rev. J. Elwyn Davies after a long illness. He was one of the chief founders of the Movement, leading the work as its General Secretary for over 30 years.

Following the Second World War a number of Welsh men and women Ð some of them the Rev. Elwyn Davies taking a leading role. All the activity testified to their evangelical faith, rooted in personal experience and a sure belief in the efficacy of Christ’s death. Unknown to Elwyn and his fellow believers, the foundations of the EMW were being formed, with evangelical Welsh Christians, old and new, coming together across traditional denominational barriers.

Over the next months the Cylchgrawn Efengylaidd (Evangelical Magazine) was established and Elwyn and his friends became known as ‘Pobl y Cylchgrawn’ (The Magazine People). In 1955, Elwyn Davies was appointed as the General Secretary of the EMW.

Mentor to many

The work grew with the publication of an English language periodical, The Evangelical Magazine of Wales. While he was General Secretary, Elwyn saw the formation of the AECW, which sought to link together evangelical churches in Wales. From being a Welsh language work, the Movement grew to become a bilingual organisation, arranging camps and publishing literature. By his preaching, his personal conversations and gentle character, he became a friend, a teacher and mentor to numerous people. His particular burden was to see God’s people sharing and being united in the traditional Biblical faith of Wales.

His great desire was that the country he loved so dearly would be reconciled to the Christ whom he loved even more.

He accomplished so much during his lifetime. He was a Congregational minister in Blaenau Ffestiniog (1950Ð55), and worked for the IVF (UCCF) between 1955 and 1962, a part-time minister at Seion, Cwmafan at a later date, the President of the British Evangelical Council (1969Ð72) and a part-time minister of an English Evangelical Church (now known as Free School Court) in Bridgend. All of this and more while heading the work of the Evangelical Movement of Wales (1955Ð1990), and finding time to minister for short periods in Australia and Patagonia.

Elwyn was ably assisted by his wife, Mair Humphreys, whom he married in 1951. They complemented each other perfectly, and were glad to be able to spend more time together when he retired as General Secretary in 1990. We extend our deepest sympathy to Mair and their six children and families. We thank God that Elwyn has reached ‘home’.