Keswick Convention

The Keswick Convention is an annual gathering of evangelical Christians in Keswick, in the English county of Cumbria.

History

The Keswick Convention began in 1875 as a catalyst and focal point for the emerging Higher Life movement in the United Kingdom. It was founded by the Anglican T. D. Harford-Battersby and the Quaker Robert Wilson. The first Keswick Convention had over four hundred in attendance. They met under the banner of "All One in Christ Jesus" which is still the Convention's watchword.

Among the Keswick Convention's early leading lights were Anglicans J. W. Webb-Peploe, Evan Henry Hopkins, William Haslam, W. Hay M. H. Aitken, and Handley Moule, as well as the Baptist Frederick Brotherton Meyer.

Another frequent speaker in the early years was Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission. Amy Carmichael heard Taylor speak there and decided to dedicate her life to missionary work.

In 1903 Barclay Buxton and Paget Wilkes founded the Japanese Evangelical Band at the Convention.

John George Govan, who was to go on to found the Faith Mission in Scotland, was influenced by the Convention as well.

It was Stephen Olford who introduced Billy Graham to the Keswick message at a Keswick Convention in 1946 over a period of days of Bible study and prayer in a hotel room. This teaching gave Billy Graham the assurance of God's power in his life, which Billy said in his autobiography, "Just As I Am," came to him as a second blessing, and which has empowered his preaching ever since.

Modern Format

Convention Weeks' Format

In the 21st century, the annual Convention is still centered in a large purpose-built tent erected over a concrete showground with audio-visual facilities to aid worship and teaching. The venue is entered via the Convention Centre: a narrow block containing offices, a small shop etc. Additionally, events take place around Keswick in the convention's own Rawnsley Centre and local churches and meeting halls.

The convention consists of three weeks in July/August, each with its own presenters. In 2007, Stuart Townend and Phatfish guest led worship at one of the weeks of the convention, featuring on the album "Unshackled" which was released after the conference. Furthermore, they are both making guest appearances to lead worship in 2008.

Other Events

Keswick Convention host Bible Weeks and other events throughout the year. They also publish Christian teaching material, classic preaching etc.

Keswick Youth

Keswick Youth is a separate program alongside the main event, offering a range of Bible teaching and fun activities.

Sources

• Harford, C. F., ed. The Keswick Convention; its Message, its Method and its Men, London, 1907.
• Harford-Battersby, T. D. Memoirs of the Keswick Convention, 1890.
• Hopkins, E. H. The Story of Keswick, London, 1892.
• Pierson, A. T. The Keswick Movement, New York.
• Barabas, Steven , So Great Salvation, London: Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1952 — a friendly overview of half a century of Keswick teaching.
• Drumond, Lewis, "The Canvas Cathedral", Thomas Nelson, Nashville, 2005.

External links

• http://www.keswickministries.org/pages/aboutus.asp
• Audio-visual material on Keswick theology by Andrew David Naselli, whose Ph.D. dissertation is entitled “Keswick Theology: A Historical and Theological Survey and Analysis of the Doctrine of Sanctification in the Early Keswick Movement, 1875–1920"
• http://www.frontlinemin.org/higherlife.asp
• Rev William Haslam - of particular interest is the following forum topic William Haslam and the Keswick Movement
• The Exchanged Life. Is it possible to consistently enjoy an abundant, victorious Christian life?