Christians across Wales and further afield were shocked to hear of the sudden home-call of Colin Davies on 13 October 2010. He had appeared one who would continue undiminished for years to come, but God had other ideas. Colin passed peacefully into the presence of His Lord during the night. We particularly remember his aged mother at this time.

Colin was born on 12 December 1940. Living his early life on a farm, he developed his renowned physical strength, his ability to undertake all things mechanical, and the single minded commitment that was his hallmark. Though brought up in a loving Christian home, Colin became aware that something was still missing: a personal commitment to and relationship with Almighty God. Colin would say that around 1960 something fundamental happened and he became a true child of God, whom he would serve for the remainder of his days.

For some time Colin worked on the family farm, but felt an irresistible call from God to full-time service and entered the Presbyterian Theological College at Aberystwyth. He was ordained in September 1974 and inducted into the joint pastorate of Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, Whitchurch, Cardiff and Hermon Presbyterian Church, Tongwynlais on 2 October.

After several years, he discovered freemasonry in Tabernacle. After careful research he concluded that freemasonry was incompatible with Christianity and preached fearlessly against it. This caused much offence. In June 1980, he was hauled before the Presbytery. Despite support from evangelical ministers there, he was dismissed from the pastorate. He felt so strongly about this issue that he took his case to the House of Lords, but lost.

Carmel

Colin saw God’s hand in this. Along with like-minded members from both churches, he seceded from the denomination and formed a new church in Llandaff North in April 1982. He chose the name ‘Carmel Evangelical Church’ after the victory God won over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. He ministered at Carmel until he retired in 2006 some twenty-four years later. The deterioration in his father’s health led him to see that he could no longer do justice to caring for his parents, running the church and undertaking the camps work. He was by then past pensionable age.

Camps

His involvement with camps work went back many years, initially with The Evangelical Movement of Wales. More recently he and others set up Christian Camps in Wales. CCIW aims to share the Christian faith with young people in an outdoor environment. Each year the number attending these camps has grown, with well over 400 this year. Many can testify to experiencing the saving grace of Jesus Christ at them and this year was no exception. Colin was, and will continue to be, synonymous with these camps.

The funeral and a thanksgiving service were held on 22 October, the latter at Whitefield Presbyterian Church, Abergavenny, attended by around 300 individuals from across the UK, together with messages from abroad, an unwritten testimony to the high regard in which Colin was held.

Follower of Christ

How should we remember Colin Davies? He was first and foremost a true follower of Jesus Christ with a single-minded commitment to the Lord and His word. Secondly, he was a man of prayer. Also, although not one to mince his words, Colin was a very kind and compassionate man. Only eternity will show how many individuals he helped personally. Finally, he will be remembered for his practical skills. Once, a minibus broke down on the way to camp. A telephone call was made to Colin who immediately drove up to North Wales with a replacement gearbox. He then spent several hours in a wet field, changing the box and getting the vehicle back onto the road – just one of many examples where God used Colin’s extensive practical skills to repair and renovate items of equipment for His service.

While we will miss Colin immeasurably – he was in many senses irreplaceable – we look to the Lord to continue his great work for the Saviour. For Colin, he has now entered into glory and is hearing those precious words, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord’.

Alan Lansdown is a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Cardiff and a director of CCIW.