Welsh Revival - 1905

Probably the most significant predecessor to the Pentecostal revival in America was the revival in Wales. Prayerful preparation had gone on for many years, but the spark was kindled through a young miner by the name of Evan Roberts.

In the fall of 1904 he felt compelled through a vision to return home from the college he was attending. At 26, he had already spent 13 years praying for a visitation of the Holy Spirit.

Getting permission from his pastor, Evan spoke to a small group who remained following the regular prayer meeting at Moriah Chapel in Laughor. Even though this first meeting was a disappointment, more people gathered the next night at a small mission chapel nearby; they heard Evan speak concerning being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Each night that week he preached, and on Sunday evening 60 young people committed themselves to Christ. The following night the meeting lasted until 3 a.m. - it had been an unusual mixture of repentance and joy.

Just twelve days after Robert's first meeting with 17 people, over 800 tried to get into the little Moriah chapel. People began opening their homes for prayer meetings - these soon overflowed into the streets.

The revival fervour spread to nearby Aberdare where Evan and five Spirit filled women (ages 18-20), and then to over two dozen other cities and towns. "Spontaneous prayer meetings began in the mines, factories, schools and shops.

Even the amusement parks were filled with a holy awe as brigades of evangelists swept through them. Men who entered taverns to order drinks left them untouched as conviction and the fear of God came upon them."