The two-day event, held jointly by the Baptist Union of Wales, the South Wales Baptist Association and BMS World Mission, carefully and creatively drew together a number of stands into the theme, under the stewardship of the Revd Peter Thom as, the Union's General Secretary.
In the opening session, a Bible study, Dr Karen Smith from South Wales Baptist College challenged delegates to give thanks for the life and ministry of those who had gone before, but to stand up together in the nation and be counted. Drawing on Hebrews 12, she asked the Assembly to fix their eyes on Jesus as the end point, in the same way that paralysed Claire Lomas got to the end of the London Marathon, 16 days after the event started, in her bionic suit, by focusing on the finishing line.
BMS World Mission's presentation was led by the editor of its flagship magazine Engage, Andrew Dubock. He whisked delegates through a whole series of initiatives in which the local churches partner with BMS to make mission possible across the world. Burma, China, Tunisia, the Paralympics, Haiti and Afghanistan all featured, as did the expanding BMS Facebook and social media presence. Andrew stressed that each and every initiative was the product of running together, with churches providing the financial, prayer and people resources, and BMS the expertise and world knowledge.
A range of four seminars gave delegates the chance to choose an aspect to delve deeper into, with each being well attended. Covering mission issues rising from the Paralympics, people trafficking, issues of justice and work in Kenya, there was much seminar chatter amongst delegates afterwards in the neatly-named 'Upper Room' in the Y Llwyfan building, which is the base for the Baptist Union of Wales.
A thoughtful session on the ongoing work to draw the Welsh Baptist family closer together was led by Peter Thomas, Marc Owen, Nick Bradshaw and Andy Hughes. It highlighted creative and challenging work being done by Baptists across Wales, in sport and sport chaplaincy, in community work and in a whole series of other ways. The session was brought to an uplifting close by Mark Craig, BMS Communications Director, with an encouragement from Habakkuk 1, that God would do things in our days that we would not believe.
The Friday evening session featured Ben Cooley, CEO of Hope for Justice, who led with passion as he spoke of his charity's work to rescue people from the slavery of human trafficking, both in the UK and further afield. As he confirmed that 99 per cent of the people trafficked worldwide are never rescued, the Assembly's support grew almost palpably, and the evening ended with the issue of this modern day slavery being on everyone's mind.
The second day opened with the Lord's prayer, presented in English, Welsh and Albanian, using the skills of Anne Roberts, former BMS mission worker in that country. New BMS mission workers Angus and Helen Douglas, from Tabernacle Baptist Church in Penarth, led the morning Bible study in which they reflected on how God travels the road with us, every step of the way. As part of that, they explained their call to mission, which sees them and their young family moving to Kathmandu, Nepal in four weeks time.
The morning also saw the business sessions of the Union and the South Wales Association being held consecutively in the same session, for the first time. Andy Hughes and Nick Bradshaw led the Association annual report, focusing on the theme of persevering in mission in Wales.
Following on in a similar vein, Peter Thomas led the Union's business meeting, pausing to give BMS space to report briefly on the financial position of the Society. Using an animated film, Mark Craig reported that things were well under control, and gave delegates a brief insight into some new developments being planned by BMS for coming months.
The whole event was wrapped up in an emotional session led by Marc Owen, who is shortly standing down as the Union's Director of Church Life to take up a significant pastoral role in Risca in East Wales. Marc, always a favourite speaker at these events, focused his final message in his national role on the Assembly theme. His insight and considerable teaching gifts will be much missed, but in Simeon Baker, the Union's new Director of Mission, God has raised up a man of great gifts, and he will be a worthy successor to Mark's ministry across the country.
The Assembly was glad to have Jonathan Vaughn-Davies (minister at Bethel Whitchurch, Cardiff), James Hughes, Mathew Miles and Angus and Helen Douglas leading worship for the event, their thoughtful and gentle styles being perfectly suited to the contemplative mood of the gathering.
All in all, another excellent gathering, which was much appreciated by all those present.