Revive the valleys - Outreach by Cardiff University students in Rhondda Valley

Over the summer months many missions and gospel events are going on all over the country. One such outreach by students from Cardiff University went on into July and took place in the Rhondda Valley.

Wales has seen great days for the gospel in years gone by, but now things are different. For some time students from Cardiff Christian Union have had a burden to evangelise the valleys of South Wales and have set up a group called Revive to reach out. During term time a number of them go up to the valleys each week to work in youth clubs based in local churches in the area.

This summer, for the second year, a special three-week mission was organised from June 17 to July 7. The first week was for training and, as part of that, the students studied the epistle of Romans with the help of invited ministers, which gave a good grounding in the gospel. Then the two weeks of outreach began in the towns of Cymmer and Tonypandy, working alongside local pastor Keith Day of Rhondda Apostolic Mission, Cymmer, and Pastor Dave Jones of Bethel Bush Free Mission (FIEC) in Tonypandy.

Weakest link

This amazingly beautiful part of Wales has been marred by the rundown of the traditional mining industry, pit closures and subsequent poverty. The area now has massive problems of drug abuse, especially among young people. Last year good contacts were made with many youngsters and the churches had been frequently asked when the students would be back.

Extensive work took place in schools, both primary and secondary, this summer. The team was able to help in school assemblies, and take some lessons. Most of years 7, 8 and 9 participated in a presentation of the Easter story in the style of the TV quiz, The Weakest Link. The cases against Judas, Pontius Pilate and the Roman centurion were described, and the pupils had to vote on who they considered to be morally the worst. From there the teams were able to discuss the problems of sin, which makes us 'the weakest links', and move on to the gospel with Jesus the strongest link to God.

This was all couched in terms of 'what Christians believe', but the schools made the teams very welcome, and gave them much freedom in what was said. There were events in the school halls on both weekends.

American help

A final boost for the mission came on the Wednesday of the last week. Through connections with Highfields Church in Cardiff, 30 young people had agreed to fly over from Pantego Bible Church, Texas, and share in the mission for the last few days. They brought musical equipment, dramas and cheer leaders to draw the crowds with the street work.

At Tonypandy comprehensive school, the youngsters were queuing an hour before the doors opened for the Friday event called Survivor put on by the US team. This included a gymnastics display, testimonies, music from their band, a drama and a gospel talk. About 30 local youngsters showed interest in becoming Christians at the end. The following Sunday morning there were three rows of young people at Bethel Bush Mission for the first time.

But the events were not all focused on youth. Some of the musicians among the students arranged a coffee morning of hymns and Christian songs for older people with brief introductions on the experiences of God which led the hymn writers to pen their pieces. During the day, door-to-door and street work went on and the team thanked God for the arrival of tracts from evangelist Roger Carswell after a last-minute request. The evenings focused around holiday Bible clubs for children and drop-in centres for older youth. The drop-in centres proved useful in following up contacts made in school during the day.

Pastor Dave Jones said: 'We are greatly encouraged. The impact the team has had on the community, the school and the church will have long-lasting effects for good. I am sure that the seed planted will have eternal consequences.'

To find out more about Revive, check out the website: www.revivethevalleys.com