It was a very powerful and moving experience at the opening of Cayman Keswick Last Sunday (13).

The Church of God Chapel, on Walker’s Road, George Town, Grand Cayman, was packed to capacity to listen to not only the guest preacher, Rob Whittaker, but to hear the musical talents of the First Baptist Choir. Their rousing singing to many old favourite and more modern hymn/songs set the mood for the evening.

After a prayer from Rev. Alson Ebanks, Pr. Of Church of God Chapel and the Meeting Leader, he introduced Mr. Whittaker, who is from the North of England, by asking him what North Side Grand Cayman Whittaker’s he was from?

This was in keeping with Bob’s message that was as well as informative but both serious and amusing. The 45 minutes he spoke flew by and I am a very hard to please spiritual listener. My philosophy of any sermon is if you can’t say what you can in the first 15 minutes you are wasting your time going on anymore. We listeners switch off. Not this time though. Bob had everyone, including me, glued to every word, and the 45 minutes flew by.

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He also brought much laughter with some quick witted remarks when there was some microphone issues with loud bangs and pops.

The theme of all the messages throughout the week is “going to another Level with God” and the lessons are taken from Abraham’s early life from the Book of Genesis.

This first message gave us a background into the beginning of Abraham’s journey with God and Bob asked us if we had ever talked to God and did we think God still appeared to us in dreams and visions now it was the 21^st century? Visitations from angels was prevalent throughout the message.

Bob made a very interesting point about the Apostles Creed and wondered if we Christians were exactly like the first four verses:

1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:

2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:

3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:

4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried…

In other words we do not dwell on Christ’s life between his birth and death and thereby forget his ministry, let alone practice it.

To conclude the evening the First Baptist Choir drew me to tears with their most beautiful performance of the of the superb Stuart Townend, Keith & Kristyn Getty song “The Power of the Cross”. Halfway through we were all invited to join in and we did.

What a fitting end to a highly inspirational and powerful evening.

If you missed it you MUST at least come to one of the other meetings that are not only in the evenings but there are lunchtime sessions, too.

Cayman Keswick 2013 (Jan 13th – 18th)

Evenings – 7:30 – 9:00pm (Sunday – Friday)

Title “Moving on to another level with God”. (Studies in the early life of Abraham)

Church of God Chapel (Walkers Rd)

Lunch times 12:10 – 12:50pm (Monday – Friday)

Title “From average to awesome.”

Family Life Centre (Church of God, Walker’s Rd)

Lunch available – Courtesy of Champion House II (Suggested donation of $7.00)

About Rob Whittaker:

Rob is the Principal of Capernwray Bible School in the North West of England. He joined the Capernwray Missionary Fellowship of Torchbearers in 1998 and in 2001 succeeded Charles Price as Principal of the Bible School. He also preaches extensively throughout Europe in churches, Bible schools and conferences, and more recently, His travels have taken him to Australia, Canada and the United States.

Rob’s association with Capernwray goes back to his conversion at Capernwray Hall when he was in his late teens. After taking a degree in Physics, he went on to obtain a degree in Theology from London Bible College and, until 1997,

Rob served as Senior Pastor of Calvary Christian Fellowship, a church he and his wife planted in the north of England in 1974. Beginning with 12 members and initially meeting in homes, the church family grew to around 450 people attending on Sunday mornings. The church is a member of the Evangelical Alliance.

Rob is married to Barbara and they have two children, Zoe and Abi. Rob lists as his hobbies D.I.Y, walking in the mountains and reading detective novels. He is also an ardent supporter of Manchester United.

The Capernwray mission is “to proclaim the transforming presence of Jesus Christ through Biblical teaching and practical training, equipping men and women for service in His Church worldwide”. You can visit Capernwray at www.capernwray.org.uk

About Cayman Keswick:

Cayman Keswick is one of the premier opportunities for Christians to unite with each other for worship, fellowship and Bible teaching.

Since 1974, Cayman Keswick has been an annual gathering point for many churches to benefit jointly from the teaching ministry of contemporary preachers who are well known for their gift of explaining the Bible. Along with many similar gatherings worldwide, Cayman Keswick takes its name from the original Keswick Convention which has been held for over 130 years in the English town of Keswick, and where Christians continue to gather annually in one of the most respected and dynamic evangelical gatherings in the United Kingdom.

Cayman Keswick shares the “Keswick” motto of “All One in Christ Jesus” from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians 3:28, and is a practical demonstration of the real unity of Christians across all national, cultural and denominational backgrounds. The over-riding objective of the Cayman Keswick week is to glorify God by encouraging growth in the spiritual life of individuals and church communities through the careful exposition and application of the Bible. Cayman Keswick is committed to seeing the lives of Christian people being shaped by God’s revealed Word, submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and lived in the power of the Holy Spirit.

For more on Cayman Keswick please go to their website at:

http://caymankeswick.homestead.com/