142nd Keswick Convention overflows with visitors

The theme of this year’s Convention is ‘CAPTIVATED: Hearing God’s Word’ and explores the many ways in which God has spoken and continues to speak to individuals throughout the ages. As part of the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, the programme includes special seminar tracks on the Reformation and its meaning for today.

With ever-increasing numbers of younger people attending the Convention, the organisers of the Convention have seen a 50% increase in children and youth in week 1. This trend, as well as the newly introduced Teaching and Training track at other times of the year, promises to bring more visitors to the Convention and, as a result, to the wider Lake District. The new Derwent Project and refurbishment of the old pencil factory site next to the charity’s Rawnsley site was launched to prepare for this growth and will see adults and youth celebrating the Convention together on one site from 2019 onward.

Keswick Ministries introduced a new programme app allowing i-phone and android users to access the programme digitally. The app has already been downloaded by more than 500 users.

Another first at this year’s event is the police patrol outside of the Convention, a common provision for large events of this size. Conventioners have loved seeing the police presence and expressed their gratitude to them, including providing them with cakes and coffees, as a way of expressing their appreciation.

Week 3 will see Elaine Duncan, from Whitehaven, CEO of the Scottish Bible Society on the platform as a speaker and a variety of artists such as the cast from the acclaimed ‘A Monk’s Tale’ perform live at the Convention.