Return of Keswick in Buckie convention gives hope in hard times
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HOPE in hard times was the very fitting theme for the Keswick in Buckie (KIB) Summer Convention as it made a welcome return to the town.
There has been no summer convention since 2019 thanks to Covid restrictions but Christians from across the denominations, hailing from near and far, more than made up for lost time over July 30-August 5 as they flocked to Buckie North Church.
There was a new format for the convention as it emerged from its pandemic-enforced break, with two guest speakers instead of the usual three, the aim being to try and space out the seminars a bit more.
Making his KIB debut was Rev John Risbridger, the pastor at Above Bar Church, Southamption, whose theme for the convention was 'Our Place in God's Great Plan', a study in Ephesians. He was joined by St Andrew's Baptist Church pastor Rev Abi Ngunga – making his third visit to KIB as a speaker – who focused on the Book of Job and the theme 'The Problem of Innocent Suffering'.
Both speakers had nothing but praise for the warm welcome and hospitality offered to them during their stay. In their free time they had the chance to enjoy many of the sights of the local area, including a trip up the Bin Hill.
KIB chairman Bill Mowat said: "The convention has been really enjoyable.
"The new format has been very good and has encouraged more people to go along to the seminars. There has been a lot of enthusiasm and the feedback we've been getting is that people have really enjoyed their time here.
"It's been very encouraging to see so many people coming to the convention from further afield as well as from the local area."
The Covid pandemic was not only to inspire the overall theme of KIB 2022 but also Revs Ngunga and Risbridger's seminars.
Rev Risbridger said: "On the back of the pandemic, lots of churches, as with everybody else, have had it a bit tough, especially with not being to meet up.
"Many people have felt discouraged.
"In my seminars I wanted to say that God hasn't given up on us, the church is very much at the centre of God's plans.
"We shouldn't be discouraged, we have a vision to aspire to. Church is not a relic of the past but our vision for the future."
The messages of suffering and hope from the Book of Job had a very close relevance to the world as it is at the moment, said Rev Ngunga.
He continued: "Covid has been very hard on all of us, so many people have gone through a lot.
"Folk have lost loved ones and often not been able to comfort them because of the Covid rules.
"We now have the war in the Ukraine and the cost of living crisis and folk have a lot of questions.
"The Book of Job is one which has given me comfort and inspired me. Through Job's sufferings there is a glimmer of hope which I think brings our current situation all together. I've been listening to folk here at the convention and how the Lord has been speaking to them, how they have identified with Job's own suffering and hope.
"I think the theme really struck a chord and was a really relevant message."
Rev Ngunga added that it was a "privilege" to be invited to speak again at KIB and that he had been "really looking forward" to taking part.
In addition to the services and seminars, the North Church hall served as a drop-in mission hall. Convention week kicked off with a Praise and Worship Evening in Buckie Baptist Church featuring John Alexander Wilson and friends on Friday, July 29.
