Welcome to the 2024 Convention
Everyone of us has a desire to be strong, but that might be in different categories: work, finance, fitness, employment, popularity, and the list can go on. Even within our walk as disciples, we are tempted to present a desired version of ourselves to those around us, yet we are all too aware of our sin, struggles and failings. This is where the gospel is totally counterintuitive: Christ’s strength and power does not rest upon the brightest disciple or biggest church, but in weak followers of Jesus who rest in Him.
At this year’s Keswick at Portstewart we’ll be exploring the theme ‘Strength in Weakness’.
Meet our 2024 Speakers
Evening Celebrations
Simon Genoe
Sat 6th - Sun 7th July / 7.30pm
Simon Genoe is married to Zara, dad to Eliza and Isaac, and a servant of King Jesus! As well as being minister of a local church, Magheralin Parish, Simon heads up New Wine Ireland, a network with a vision to see the local church change the nation. His vision for the local church is about being deep and wide - deeply in love with the Lord, deep in encountering the power of Holy Spirit, being deeply changed into His likeness - leading us to share the Gospel widely in the power of the Holy Spirit!
Evening Celebrations
David Cassidy
Mon 8th - Fri 12th July / 7.30pm
David Cassidy is the Lead Pastor of Spanish River Church in Boca Raton, Florida, a large cross-cultural church known for helping to plant over 600 churches around the world.
David is the author of Indispensable, A Guide to Christian Basics (P&R).
He has been a Pastor for 43 years, serving congregations in the US and the UK. David and his wife, Toni have been married since 198o, and they are grateful to God for three children and two grandchildren.
Morning Bible Teaching
John Risbridger
Mon 8th - Fri 12th July / 11am
John Risbridger works with his wife Alison to lead the Leadership and Theology Training Course for current and emerging leaders in the Catalyst Network of Churches and is shortly to take up a role within King's Community Church, Southampton, leading in local mission. He is is also a trustee of the UK Evangelical Alliance, which he serves as Chair of Council and has a long association with the Keswick Convention. John became a Christian at a young age before going to Nottingham University. He then worked in NHS management and spent 10 years on the staff of UCCF before joining Above Bar Church Southampton, where he was minister for 18 years. John's passions are in Bible teaching, whole life mission (which he has recently been studying at All Nations Christian College) and the theology and practice of worship (he is author of The Message of Worship in IVP's Bible Speaks Today series). Alongside her work with Catalyst, Alison works in a local college teaching English to adult speakers of other languages. They have two young adult daughters. In his spare time John loves running, walking and cooking food to share with friends.
The Keswick Hub
The Keswick Hub is the place to meet up with others in the cafe, browse the extensive bookshop, or explore opportunities to engage in mission through the Mission Exhibition Space.
Mission Exhibition
Our mission exhibition gives organisations and supporters and potential supporters a chance to connect. We have 20 spaces available - Applications are now closed for 2024!
Bookshop
Browse the extensive bookshop and take advantage of some special offers during the week of Convention - including materials related to our main theme.
Cafe
The Hub cafe is a great place to catch up with others over a coffee or to enjoy a bite of lunch
Kids & Youth
Portstewart CSSM
Keswick is delighted to partner with Portstewart CSSM, a lively, exciting Holiday Bible Club for 5-18 year olds that is free to attend! This year we are running from the 30th June to the 12th of July. There will be lots of fun, games, songs, Bible talks, memory verses, quizzes, activity nights and much much more! Portstewart CSSM is a Scripture Union Northern Ireland Mission and seeks to bring God’s Good News to the children, young people and families of Portstewart.
For further information check out the Portstewart CSSM Facebook page or email portstewart@suni.co.uk For more information on the work of Scripture Union please visit suni.co.uk
TOTZ ZONE
Our Totz Zone facilities adjacent to the main tent is a great place where parents can look after their small children while benefitting from the programme via video relay. There is also an area sectioned off in the main marquee for parents with small babies.
THE PRAYER SPACE
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Monday - Friday 9.45am - 10.30am
Join with us each morning in the Prayer Tent as we pray not only for the ministry of the Convention but for the Church, our society, our world, and a move of God’s Spirit throughout our land. These prayer gatherings are open to everyone. -
We have a team of trained and trusted people who are available in the Prayer Tent at the end of each of our Evening Celebrations to pray with you. Perhaps you would like someone to pray with you in response to what God has been saying, or perhaps there’s some other concern for which you would value prayer? Make your way to the Prayer Tent at the close of the Evening Celebration.
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As we gather together as volunteers to set up everything for the week we take time to pause and prayer together. Praying for God’s blessing both spiritually and practically and that we would work and move throughout the convention week.
Seminars
Strength & Weakness -
in Leadership
‘Jars of clay: experiencing strength in weakness in our ministry together’
Tuesday 9th July 12:30
Over two decades, John and Alison Risbridger have served side by side in ministry together in local and national contexts. In this seminar they share some key lessons (often learned through their mistakes!) in terms of ministry partnership, family life, and marriage.
Strength & Weakness -
Lament & Hope
Thursday 11th July 12:30
Lament allows Christians to express honestly to God how we feel about our difficulties, and to reaffirm trust in God as relevant even to these situations. Dr Wiliam Ford, lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew at Belfast Bible College, will lead us in looking at what lament is, where it comes in the Bible and how it is relevant for us.
