Elim Pentecostal Church

Divine healings; speaking in tongues; visions and prophetic words – these are some of the distinctive elements of Elim Pentecostal Church, which has just celebrated its centenary. <?xml:namespace prefix = "o" ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Roy Jenkins looks at the Welsh roots of the church, which was founded by George Jeffreys, a travelling revivalist preacher from Maesteg.

George Jeffreys, together with his brother Stephen, emphasised the place of the Holy Spirit within Christian worship, which they believed would be evidenced by spiritual gifts such as ‘divine healing’ and speaking in tongues. These charismatic practices were regarded with huge enthusiasm by some, and deep suspicion by others.

Through the 1920s and 1930s George Jeffreys succeeded in drawing thousands to mass public meetings, and the press enthusiastically reported claims of miraculous healings. George would later leave the movement he helped to establish in 1915, but his legacy includes some 550 congregations across the UK and Ireland.

Today the church is a part of the fastest growing movement within worldwide Christianity.

Roy speaks to John Glass, Elim’s General Superintendent, and to Chris Cartwright, Regional Leader for Elim in Wales. As with other denominations, Elim has had its share of ups and downs, but we hear from one congregation in Llanelli that has not only succeeded in reviving the Pentecostal Church there, but also plays an active role in helping to revive the town itself.