The Welsh Revival of 1904-06 transformed the nation of Wales with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Today Wales is one of the least churched countries in the western world. In 2009 we began a partnership with The Vine Christian Centre in Bridgend, Wales in an attempt to turn the tide of spiritual oppression into a revival of hope. Our first mission trip, June 28-July 7, 2009 was a tremendous step in the right direction. We took a team of 40 people from First West to partner with approximately 35 from The Vine who took time off work to help support the mission. We led school assemblies and taught classes on music, religion, and Louisiana culture. The First West Praise Band performed concerts in schools and for an evangelistic outreach in the Bridgend Recreation Centre. We painted a beautiful mural on the wall of a community center in a depressed area. We ministered to the elderly in retirement homes and a hospital. We held a 4th of July family fun day in a local park to demonstrate the love of Christ in practical ways. Of course, we were blessed to minister in local churches as well, encouraging fellow believers! “Your music inspired our musicians (and everyone else who heard them)!”

As a result of the combined efforts of this mission trip, 53 people received Christ! Pastor Alex Ashton said that we were able to preach the Gospel to the largest number of teenagers that he had ever seen gathered in their community, and saw the largest evangelistic harvest! “You have helped us to dream bigger and see more.”– Pastor Alex Ashton, The Vine Christian Centre

The mural painted on the outside of the community center was featured in the local papers and a church is now meeting in the building! One of the teachers at Portcawl Comprehensive School said, “It was so evident from their enthusiasm that they were passionate about being invited to the school and saw it as a huge privilege to be in a position where they could demonstrate the love of Jesus. Throughout the week God spoke to me through the attitude shown by the Louisiana team, all of whom were prepared to do whatever it took, to reach as many of the pupils at Porthcawl Comprehensive School and throughout Bridgend County. At the lunchtime concert at the end of the week, a thought entered my mind, ‘some of my pupils could get saved.’ This became a reality then on the Friday evening with about six Porthcawl pupils making a public declaration and accepting Jesus. It was an awesome and incredible experience.” Pastor Alex says, “We have continued to have a steady stream of new people through the doors of both church and un-churched people since June.” The security guard from the Recreation centre visited the church following our events there and brought people with him several times! We are expecting God to do even more as we go back in 2010!

“The whole church was encouraged by the support both spiritual and practical of First West. When you are battling away in a place like Wales to have people come from overseas to partner with you has been so encouraging. The mission was probably my best week in the seven years I have led this church.” – Pastor Alex Ashton, The Vine Christian Centre

Our first mission to Bridgend, Wales was just the beginning of the transformation that God wants to bring to this community and nation! Will you commit to continue to pray, give, and maybe even go to this strategic place for advancing the Gospel?

“Our new relationships with friends in Wales will go beyond the week we spent together. I was told by more than one Vine member that we gave them new confidence and perspective just by being there. If you have the means or any desire, go on a mission trip. Until you experience it, words cannot come close to explanation.”