My wife Janet and I went to Cwmbran about 55-60 miles from our home. To Victory Church the home of what is called 'The Welsh Outpouring'. Its been going on for 21days we were told and I was going to 'check it out'!
The place is an industrial unit with a circular route for cars to park around. We arrived 30 minutes before meeting start, nice lounge and coffee shop, suitable buzz, friendly stewards. I saw a few people I recognised from across S Wales and it was obvious though a little disconcerting that more than a few recognised me...probably from Revelation TV. Hard to guess how many were there, it was full, I guess 4-500? We queued up patiently but discovered some youngsters (friends of the band?) had mysteriously appeared inside already lol. The band were mainly teens or twenties but not exclusively, the meeting was led by Andrew Parsons who is sort of 'second in command' of the Victory set up which is a family of churches across I think 5 sites.
He explained that 'everything was wrong', the projector screen was in the wrong place (to our right), they had moved the stage around to the side, the speakers were pointing in the wrong direction and that the events of the last three weeks had caught them by surprise. Someone else had described it as a dimly lit shoebox, probably right but it didn't really matter, the quality of the building, set up or ambiance were of little concern to me. I chuckled when he said half the stewards don't know what day it is as they are still 'on stuff' and in Rehab! (Victory outreach is a rehab centre for druggies, they have a great reputation).
OBSERVATIONS (theological!)
Its 'Pentecostal' not 'Charismatic' that is obvious. I was in one sense pleased when the speaker kept saying 'Only Jesus' meaning he is the source and focus of the blessing and healing etc. I was more concerned as the night wore on that there was NO mention of the Father or the Holy Spirit, it must have taken some mental discipline to do or it was his usual and regular approach. I was concerned that he might be 'Jesus Only /Oneness, the website would not support that though (I checked later).
The only voice all night, welcoming, reading, speaking praying was the leader (apart from singers), almost all the praying was by him and he went through pretty well all who came out for healing, to be filled or whatever. I guess they were working on 'the anointed man' sort of model of ministry. I felt it was 'old' and the release of others to 'minister ' and pray surely would have been better. Why on earth did he read exclusively from the KJV ...odd??
There was no 'Kingdom' understanding here, it was old style Pentecostal healing, leaving the non healed wondering perhaps why. The 'Kingdom' (now but not all now and not all yet) is so much more holistic and helps people cope with non healing. No deliverance and I didn't hear any call for 'salvation' although he said that 'do a quick sinners prayer' would be appropriate!! These were people untouched by Wimber, Kingdom, charismatic movement, Restoration, house Church etc etc etc
There were 'prayer cloths' available, that had been anointed with oil, I have no issue with this, God does unusual and extraordinary things I only would have a issue with any 'compulsory' inclusion and routinisation of this idea. I took one for a friend. (Acts 19v11-12)
OBSERVATIONS (practical)
Many people fell over, I didn't see evidence of pushing (which was nice) in fact he asked' please stand up if you can'! I didn't see any women 'catchers' and he only referred to 'his guys' who were a group that followed him around , supported in prayer and 'caught' (for 1 guy I stepped in and helped him to the ground after prayer). The presence more prominently of women would have made me more comfortable, as it was some men 'caught' women and probably more as an accident didn't do an 'appropriate' job of it.
I couldn't understand why the speakers voice was amplified even when he wasn't on stage (during worship), his shouts of praise and speaking in tongues was amplified, he never let the microphone go. I found it unnecessary and if I was being a bit cynical I might have thought reflected a desire to 'be on the Mic' an ailment which is usually dealt with by a dose of POAB (Priesthood of all believers). All of his prayers for everyone later (usually' I command healing', 'body be healed) were also amplified, why?
It would be easy to think I wasn't enamoured by the evening, that would be untrue though. It wasn't to my mind some mighty outpouring, with Salvation in the streets and a sense of Gods presence , No one reported healing on the night publicly , I saw no one jumping out of wheelchairs (although the 'revival' started with someone doing just that), but clearly something good is going on. The cynical would question the healings (as they always do) but listen to this..... He read out 7 A4 sheets of reported healing and took not far off an hour to do so. 'Little' ones like a bad back healed, gradual ones like 'much improved mobility after athritus' and some more like 'Brain tumour disappearing, Bells palsy going and Doctors puzzled, the list was long and impressive and some of the people were there on the night. If only a quarter were 'true' it is very impressive and very exciting!
If you were doubting, the girl with the disappearing Brain tumour was sitting by me and she was so thankful she cried with appreciation at what had happened.
So does it matter then what they believe or how they 'do it' if God is blessing them. Of course it does since when has Gods blessing ever determined what we believe, its his revelation that does that. God 'blesses' Roman Catholics....and your point is?? I am glad God is more generous than we are.... he loves sinners didn't you know! However this should not be a reason for us to throw our Brains and our bibles away.
However, I'm with Barnabas, he 'saw the grace of God and was glad', he may have had some doubts about structure, practise or whatever but seeing Gods mercy and kindness at work is always a matter of great rejoicing. I saw faith there last night, I saw the working of the Holy Spirit, I saw the Grace of God and was glad.
So do pray for 'The Welsh outpouring', do pay a visit....but get there early!
