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The fires of Revival in the nineteenth century sent missionaries from Wales around the world, and many of them fostered Christian communities which still thrive today. On the eve of St. David’s Day we ask why Christians from different countries are drawn back to Wales and why many feel so passionate about this land.

Chris and Lyra Vaz are pastors at the Gateway Church in Abergavenny. Lyra’s home region of Shillong in North Eastern India was visited by Thomas Jones, a missionary from Montgomeryshire, and Christianity still thrives there to this day. We hear what brought them to Wales, how easy they found it to make a home here, and their hopes for faith communities in Wales.

Wales has had a close connection with Korea since the visit of Robert Jermain Thomas in 1865. Today the SaRang megachurch in Seol, which often sees 40, 000 people in their Sunday congregations, is financially supporting The Union College of Theology in Bridgend. We hear from their Executive Director Joel Morris, who was sent by the church as a missionary to Wales to oversee the college development.

But what about revival? Many people who come here have been motivated by passion to see spiritual renewal – so is there a certain disappointment in the present reality? Rana Khan, Rector of St. Edmund’s Church in Crickhowell argues that we might need to revisit our image of revival. Pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Newbridge, Peter Cho, shares his vision of hope for faith communities in Wales.