The Keswick Convention will ‘prioritise the emerging generation,’ its Chief Executive says, as the event prepares to celebrate its landmark 150th anniversary this summer.
The convention was started in 1875 by Canon Thomas Harford-Battersby and Robert Wilson and was attended by three or four hundred people. Now, around 12,000 travel to the small Lake District town which has a population of just over 5,000.
The convention, well-known for its large tents, erected its first marquee in 1901, and started operating with a second week in 1969, before adding a third in 2001.
Well-known theologians have preached at the convention, including John Stott, Charles Price and Don Carson, and this year will welcome Andy Gemmill, Tim Chester and Dane Ortlund, under the theme ‘Transformed.’
The first Keswick Convention in 1875 - St John's Vicarage.
Mark Ellis, Chief Executive of Keswick Ministries, told en that the 2025 convention will look forward to what God may do through His people in the future. He also revealed that the convention aims to invest more in under-18s work in the future, enabling them to ‘prioritise the emerging generation’.
‘At heart, Keswick is and has always been about a passion to see all believers live lives of beautiful and attractive Christlikeness,’ he said. ‘We’ve never been about pulling people away from church. We strive to revitalise the church across the UK with a heart-warming vision of Jesus that will thrill and win her to look more like Him.
‘And we are passionate about catalysing for mission. That includes evangelism through churches, and in everyday life – but we have a particular desire to see the gospel go to all peoples everywhere.’
