In 1903, revival broke out in the nation of Wales, spawning a great awakening that spanned the globe. One hundred years later on October 11, 2003, revival came again to the hearts of thousands in the Cardiff International Arena. More than 3,000 women gathered to exalt Jesus through the hearing of the Word, Bible study, praise and prayer. The day was called into focus by Stephanie Seefeldt, tenderly singing a Welsh melody from 1784 titled “Ar Hyd y nos” – but, using lyrics the Lord had given to Stephanie upon her arrival in Wales just days before. It was a wonderful moment of blending the heritage of old Welsh hymns and the dynamic, contemporary presence of the Holy Spirit in the church today.

The Welsh, themselves, are known world round for their singing, and yet it was impossible to have imagined, beforehand, the power and richness of the women’s voices joined with Fernando Ortega in the day’s opening worship. For many, hearing the women singing in parts, breaking into “rounds” and adding descants to the melody was like the sound of angels singing. Amidst the beauty of the singing, however, it was never lost that the lovely worship had only one purpose – to joyfully offer glorious praises to the Lord.

During the one-day revival, Anne took on all four sessions, giving two teaching messages, conducting the Bible study workshop and for the first time in her ministry career, facilitating a time of directed prayer. The Lord faithfully sustained Anne with His power and presence.

To begin the day, Anne shared the timeless truth that Jesus died for our sins that we might experience forgiveness of sins and obtain hope for eternity. Hundreds filled the aisles of the auditorium as many came forward to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus. The scene never grows old. . .new babes in Christ entering the Kingdom. . . it was a thrilling time!

As Stephanie Seefeldt led in worship, Anne facilitated a time of directed prayer using the A-C-T-S model of Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. The women seemed to participate throughout with their whole heart, mind and soul. During confession, Anne invited the women to confess their sins by writing them on a piece of paper and bringing their slip of paper to the cross at the platform. It seemed as if not one woman stayed in her seat – solemnly, quietly, filing forward, placing notes of sins confessed on the platform and returning to their seat. Anne ended the time of individual and corporate repentance by reminding everyone the only thing that the Lord ever forgets is confessed sin. Praise God! Join us in praying that as many were released from the bondage of sin that they will embark on life with a new sense of the liberty we have in Christ.

Because churches in Wales have few organized Bible studies for women, it was even more special to see the women participate with such enthusiasm in the Bible study workshop. Women turned in their seats, formed their small groups, and answered the simple questions, “What does the scripture say? What does it mean? What does it mean to me?.” Hundreds then signed up to participate in the Bible studies that will take place following the revival. Please pray that women will have a burning desire to study the Bible so that they might hear God speaking to them personally and that their love of the scriptures would spread to others in the Church in Wales.

In a country where the spiritual climate is in so many ways dark, Jesus, the Light of the World, was proclaimed from morning to evening October 11. Women committed their lives to Christ, surrendered to the lordship of Christ, confessed sin, and praised the Lord in song. Thousands experienced a fresh touch from Jesus. To God be the glory!