Evan Roberts Welsh Revival 1904/5

Evan John Roberts was mightily used by the Holy Spirit between 1904/5.
He was an evangelist and leading figure of the 1904/5 Welsh Revival.

Evan was born in Loughor, Wales on 8th June 1878. He was raised in a Calvinistic Methodist home. He attended church regularly and memorized scripture at night.

His father had a serious accident down the coal mine when his son was nearly 12. When his father was fit to work 3 months later Evan left school and began to work in the coal mines as a doorboy. He took his Bible underground and read it at every opportunity. He worked in the coal mines until 1902. Aged 21 he became an apprentice to his uncle - a blacksmith in Pontarddulais. For 15 months he worked at the forge but his desire was to preach.

Meanwhile Rev. Seth Joshua, from the beginning of the 20th century, had been praying for God to send an ordinary young man, who had worked in the mines, to lead a Revival in Wales.
In 1904 Rev. Joseph Jenkins prayed earnestly for change in the church. In February young Florrie Evans rose to her feet*I love Jesus Christ with all of my heart *

Immediately the whole meeting seemed to catch fire. Young people found it easy to pray and talk about their experiences. (Read ‘The origins of the Revival’)

13th September Evan and his friend Sidney Evans went to Newcastle Emlyn to attend Trefecca College to train for the ministry.
On September 29th he attended a conference at Blaenannerch where the Rev. Seth Joshua prayed that God would ‘bend’ the people in the congregation. Evan prayed God would ‘bend’ him. He was made utterly obedient and utterly willing.
(Read ‘Evan at Blaenannerch’)

The Holy Spirit urged him to return home to Loughor. Having sought permission to go home from Rev. Evan Phillips, the minister of Newcastle, he followed his advice and caught the train.

What followed was an incredible outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
From 31st October, in Moriah, he made pleas for people to rise and confess - each day the power of the Holy Spirit felt more powerful.
On 6th November Evan asked those attending a pray meeting in the vestry to pray the same pray.
O send the Holy spirit now for Jesus Christ’s sake.
**He descend with great fire upon the people present and they prayed until a late hour.

Read the rest of the 1904 sheets covering the Revival Meetings, The Effect of the Revival in Wales, The Out Pouring of the Holy Spirit in Wales. WONDERFUL.

This continued for 2 years. 100,000 Christians influenced the spiritual life of Wales and the world.

Evan in 1906, exhausted, mentally and physically, stayed in the home of William and Jessie Penn- Lewis.

He recovered in 1907 to became a prayer intercessor- praying up to 18 hours a day.
He occasionally spoke or counseled.

In 1930 he returned to Cardiff, Wales.

He died, aged 72, on 29th January 1951